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07-07-2014, 09:32 AM
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#101
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: _, Texas
Trailer: Escape 5.0 SA
Posts: 544
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On and off has nothing to do with Texas or ambient temperature. The fan is controlled by the temperature of the refrigerator coolant system. It is possible under a light load for the refrigerator to be cooling without the "Texas fan" running.
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07-07-2014, 02:10 PM
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#102
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: St.Albert, Alberta
Trailer: 21 ft November 17th
Posts: 847
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That's a relief , its a long drive to Texas for us . Besides it can still
Get pretty hot here so we are getting the Texas fan option on our 21
__________________
MacRae, 21ft
2016 GMC Yukon SLT
St.Albert Alberta
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07-09-2014, 11:45 AM
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#103
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Yellow Springs, Ohio
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 709
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I've just emailed the Fridge Fix folks to add my name to the list. We just got back from a trip with a newly installed "Texas Fan" kit retrofitted by a local company according to Reace's instructions. While stationary, the fridge did reasonably well. With temps in the mid 80s, it seldom got above 40 in the fridge, running on LP or 120V. As soon as we departed and towed during a day in the upper 80s, the fridge temp climbed right up to 47 degrees for several hours. Out goes another jar of mayo and some other things. The newly installed fan was running (as was the portable fan inside the fridge), and LP pressure was 11 1/4 inches at the time. I'm not at all convinced that the Fridge Fix fan is the solution, but it's worth trying, I guess.
I am increasingly disappointed that all of us are out here wandering around on our own looking for solutions to this common problem. I guess it's just accepted that RV fridges are poor performers in anything other than cool ambient temperatures. Loyal Escape supporters may be offended by this comment, but for a $30,000 investment, I expected something a little better in the way of factory support and leadership toward resolving this issue. If, as I have heard, ETI is working with Dometic on some of these issues, what has been learned? Are the installations, like ours, with large clearances between the cooling coils and rear wall acceptable? Is it simply an issue with these Dometic fridges? If so, with so many of us having trouble, can we collectively appeal to Dometic? Don't get me wrong, we would definitely buy another Escape, but that does not lessen the disappointment with the current situation.
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07-09-2014, 12:16 PM
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#104
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Wish I had checked the temps in the fridge of my old trailer, seemed like it worked fine for 8 years but I really never checked. Could be that we just have too much info now.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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07-09-2014, 12:45 PM
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#105
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: _, Texas
Trailer: Escape 5.0 SA
Posts: 544
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May I suggest getting your refrigerator temperature as low as 27-30 degrees overnight and in the morning. And set it on a high number during the day. It is hard to recover in daily warm temperatures once you've let it get away from you.
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07-09-2014, 01:04 PM
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#106
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Yellow Springs, Ohio
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 709
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daveandsandyclink
May I suggest getting your refrigerator temperature as low as 27-30 degrees overnight and in the morning. And set it on a high number during the day. It is hard to recover in daily warm temperatures once you've let it get away from you.
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We do that as a matter of routine. We get it as cold as possible overnight, which helps carry it through the next day. We almost always have it on the highest possible setting unless it's pretty cool outside for an extended period. And you're right....after the temp rises, it takes a long time, like overnight almost, to get it back again.
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07-09-2014, 01:30 PM
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#107
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Out goes another jar of mayo and some other things. The newly installed fan was running (as was the portable fan inside the fridge), and LP pressure was 11 1/4 inches at the time. I'm not at all convinced that the Fridge Fix fan is the solution, but it's worth trying, I guess.
I am increasingly disappointed that all of us are out here wandering around on our own looking for solutions to this common problem. I guess it's just accepted that RV fridges are poor performers in anything other than cool ambient temperatures. Loyal Escape supporters may be offended by this comment, but for a $30,000 investment, I expected something a little better in
These Dometic refers are the same installed in $80k Airstreams, so it is not the $$ but the nature of the beast. I'm happy my beer is cold, it tastes a lot better than mayonnaise!!
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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07-09-2014, 02:32 PM
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#109
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Yellow Springs, Ohio
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 709
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They seem to get very mixed reviews on Amazon. One thing that intrigues me about the basic design is that the cover comes all the way down to the roof on the forward side. I've often wondered if turbulence around the standard Dometic vent cap is detracting from the venting process while underway. I'm tempted to try a little white duct tape to seal off the front end of the cap on one of our upcoming trips just in case air is blowing in there while driving.
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07-09-2014, 04:10 PM
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#110
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker
They seem to get very mixed reviews on Amazon. One thing that intrigues me about the basic design is that the cover comes all the way down to the roof on the forward side. I've often wondered if turbulence around the standard Dometic vent cap is detracting from the venting process while underway. I'm tempted to try a little white duct tape to seal off the front end of the cap on one of our upcoming trips just in case air is blowing in there while driving.
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I've ordered one to take with when I go up to ETI next week - I'll see if it fits on the 21. That same tapered front acting as a deflector entered my mind, too.
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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07-09-2014, 04:37 PM
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#111
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1
I've ordered one to take with when I go up to ETI next week - I'll see if it fits on the 21. That same tapered front acting as a deflector entered my mind, too.
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Don't get rid of the original vent cover because several reviews on that product indicate that it starts to disintegrate after a couple of years; broken solar cells (self destruct), cracked plastic housings (maybe very thin cross sections or poor quality, non-filled resin).
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07-09-2014, 04:48 PM
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#112
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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So, are you guys thinking that the roy vent is somehow causing the refer to blow out or it keeps the refer from properly exhausting the heat?
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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07-09-2014, 05:14 PM
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#113
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
So, are you guys thinking that the roy vent is somehow causing the refer to blow out or it keeps the refer from properly exhausting the heat?
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My thought was turbulence due to the non-tapered OEM shape while on the road could cause an issue with running the fridge on LP - just a theory.
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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07-09-2014, 05:18 PM
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#114
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotfishtacos
Don't get rid of the original vent cover because several reviews on that product indicate that it starts to disintegrate after a couple of years; broken solar cells (self destruct), cracked plastic housings (maybe very thin cross sections or poor quality, non-filled resin).
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Every piece of plastic on my roof gets covered with a few coats of Krylon Fusion paint because of the UV protectant. Has worked for me to protect plastic from embrittlement for a lotta years. Worst case is I just make a new one.
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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07-09-2014, 05:23 PM
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#115
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
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I've got the smaller 4.3cuft with the stock roof vent and refrigerator has always performed well on the road with the LP always on while traveling. I did however put a baffle in the back to eliminate all the dead space behind the refrigerator and a mesh filter on the inside of the lower vent cover to keep the flame from ever blowing out while underway.
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07-09-2014, 05:27 PM
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#116
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
....
These Dometic refers are the same installed in $80k Airstreams, so it is not the $$ but the nature of the beast. I'm happy my beer is cold, it tastes a lot better than mayonnaise!!
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AND the same in MILLION DOLLAR + mohos. Just check out RV.net and IRV2.com
EVERYONE complains, it's not about the manufacturer of the trailer, truly. But, everyone expects perfection running on propane or solar. You don't like it? Stay home, purchase a "compressor" frig... like is in your home! And, y'all wonder why folks stay in "RV Resorts" where they're HOOKED UP to power.
I travel with a cooler with ice. But, I also know how to pack the frig. Few folks do... pay attention when you buy your food. So much doesn't need to be refrigerated... just kept "cool." If it's NOT under refrigeration when you buy it... it doesn't need to be kept COLD... just "cool."
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07-09-2014, 05:31 PM
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#117
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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What's really helpful is I prefer my beer as in Europe - unchilled!
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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07-09-2014, 05:38 PM
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#118
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Escape 19
Posts: 251
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotfishtacos
I've got the smaller 4.3cuft with the stock roof vent and refrigerator has always performed well on the road with the LP always on while traveling. I did however put a baffle in the back to eliminate all the dead space behind the refrigerator and a mesh filter on the inside of the lower vent cover to keep the flame from ever blowing out while underway.
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Any chance of some pictures of the baffle and mesh? I have the same frig and have similar experience to yours. Really worked better without the freezer.
Is your fan mod up and running? .
Thanks
Dave
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07-09-2014, 06:03 PM
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#119
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dave1
Any chance of some pictures of the baffle and mesh? I have the same frig and have similar experience to yours. Really worked better without the freezer.
Is your fan mod up and running? .
Thanks
Dave
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Hi Dave! The baffle is really hard to photograph but there has been a lot of discussion on the topic on this forum and I think Dometic has a drawing of a suggested baffle form.. Others on this forum may want to chime in if they have a sketch of the baffle I'm speaking of. I got the idea for the mesh filter cover on my vent from "cpaharley" (Jim) and it works fine. I think there is also a picture of one here in the gallery somewhere. I'll look.
My fans are operational but I expect to receive the fan grills in the mail tomorrow and then I will finish everything up and take a few pics for the forum.
Steve
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07-09-2014, 06:12 PM
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#120
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: 19'
Posts: 326
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Took my trailer to a service center to have fridge checked out. LP pressure was at 9.5" WC, they changed it to 11" WC. Now getting temperatures under 40 degrees F in the fridge, on propane.
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