Dometic 3-way fridge makes noise when hot

[splitting_lanes]

When it’s 90+ outside, our Dometic makes noise — like a fan running. You can hear it in the trailer, and even more so outside the trailer near the fridge.

I searched for threads mentioning this noise, because I kinda expected that I’m not the first one to notice this, and maybe it’s normal.

Is it a bad sign or is it normal for the fridge to make noise when running and the outside air temperature is high?

[Vermilye]

There might be a "Texas Fan" added above the stack in the back of the refrigerator. My 2017C has one as an option. There is a switch inside the outside door (I moved mine to the inside of the trailer) to turn it off. It has a thermostat that only runs it when the temperatures are above 85°F - 90°F.

There is a notice above my refrigerator requiring that the fan be switched off when traveling. There was a problem when it was running & the trailer was moving at highway speeds that blew a thermal fuse, shutting down the refrigerator in all three modes until replacement ed. A wired in device, not an easily replaceable fuse. I don't know if they have solved the problem or there is a different fan in newer refrigerators, but if you find a switch labeled fan inside the outside door, I'd shut it off when traveling.

[splitting_lanes]

Thank you Jon!

I’ll take a look. We do travel in some hot weather, and I run the fridge on propane while traveling.

May start using DC instead while traveling, but not until we have more battery capacity.

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

My 2020 has a fan that runs when it gets hot . Its normal and draws very little dc power. I found not parking where the sun hits the vent side will reduce the time it runs by at least 50%

[kathytony1985]

Yep, cooling fan. Kind of annoying when one is trying to fall asleep.

[cpaharley2008]

That should probably only come on when using propane, but not if 120v use?

[kathytony1985]

Ours comes on with all 3 sources. It only stays on a few minutes then cycles off. Just long enough to get to sleep, then I don't notice it after that.

[Globetrotter]

I don't believe my E19' has that fan switch inside. Is there another way to determine if that fan exists. I ask as I have a "Titan Motorhome Fridge Fan" sitting on my desk right now. It was recommended by a non-egg friend. My previous trailer was a used Casita that had an auxiliary cooling fan already installed so I thought adding one to my E19 was a good proactive project. Thoughts??

[splitting_lanes]

Originally Posted by kathytony1985

Ours comes on with all 3 sources. It only stays on a few minutes then cycles off. Just long enough to get to sleep, then I don't notice it after that.

Yeah, ours runs with propane or electric power. I’m glad to find out this is normal, and I’ll look for the “Texas fan” switch and report back to this thread.

[Vermilye]

The refrigerator (Dometic DM2663LBX ) installed in my 2017 21C did not have a fan of any kind installed by Dometic. The "Texas Fan" was an option installed by Escape. I believe that in newer versions of the refrigerator Dometic included a fan that I suspect does not need to be shut off when traveling.

Some discussion of the problem in this thread.

[brroberts]

My ‘21 2663 in my ‘19 does not have a fan. Freezer works great, fridge does not always.

[splitting_lanes]

I opened the outside panel up for the fridge yesterday and looked for a switch to turn off the fan — none found. I did find a wiring diagram that shows the fan is dc powered.

As Jon mentioned, this must be a newer version of the fridge and it now includes a fan.

[Calicia]

My 2018 17b does not have the fan—at least I didn’t order it— and when it’s hot outside it makes a terrible groaning sound in both propane and ac mode. Eventually it will stop. I have learned to just ignore it, but it sure did panic me at first.