Duke-44
Wyoming Rockies
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I just took my new (Off the assembly line 1 week ago) Sundance 5er on it's maiden camping trip Wed-today July 4th. It has a Dometic 2852 refer in a slide. I think it is the culprit in draining my batteries. I could hear the fan running for hours at a time. The outside temp has been between 70 and 80. I have it home now and just went out to look at it a little closer. I took the back off the refer and reached in and took the in-line fuse between my fingers and noticed that the fan futtered. So I squeezed it and the fan completely shut off and on, as I repetedly squeezed then let go.
I need to find out how to wire an on/off switch to this that is accessible from the inside of the trailer. Any ideas???
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raygreg
Seattle,WA
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My idea would be to leave it alone. If the refer is in a slideout it is not vented straight up through the roof and therefore needs the fan to cool the consensor and vent properly.
You might look to see if you have a switch to turn off the high humidity heaters that are built in around the doors. They will use a lot more juice then that cooling fan
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Duke-44
Wyoming Rockies
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raygreg wrote:My idea would be to leave it alone. If the refer is in a slideout it is not vented straight up through the roof and therefore needs the fan to cool the consensor and vent properly.
You might look to see if you have a switch to turn off the high humidity heaters humidity heaters that are built in around the doors. They will use a lot more juice then that cooling fan
I was not aware that there were high humidity heaters on these. I am sure there is no switch to turn them off.
I am not sure what is draining the batteries, maybe it is the hhh. Wyoming is not known for high humidity.
I can hear what I assume is the fan running almost nonstop. The battery drain is not something that can be tolerated however. I do not have an onboard generator. One day the battery level went from full charge to 1/2 in a matter of 2 hrs.
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2oldman
Moses Lake
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Just because a refer is in a slide doesn't mean it needs a fan, esp at temps of 70s 80s. Mine is, and it has no fan that I'm aware of. And these little fans don't draw very much anyway so running down your battery as you describe sounds like something else.
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Sandia Man
Rio Rancho, NM
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Joined: 08/09/2008
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I have a similar model Dometic and it does have a humidity switch which will drain battery rather quickly if it is activated. Our fridge fan runs constantly as well with no significant drain of the battery. Double-check the humidity switch on your fridge and if it is off then you more than likely have a draw coming from somewhere else. Take it back to the dealer or if you are handy with a voltmeter you can measure DC amperage draw through each circuit. On a final note, if you plan on doing a lot of drycamping/boondocking adding another battery (or more) to your set-up will definitely help your cause.
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ausie607
white lake
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Joined: 04/30/2011
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Duke-44 wrote:I just took my new (Off the assembly line 1 week ago) Sundance 5er on it's maiden camping trip Wed-today July 4th. It has a Dometic 2852 refer in a slide. I think it is the culprit in draining my batteries. I could hear the fan running for hours at a time. The outside temp has been between 70 and 80. I have it home now and just went out to look at it a little closer. I took the back off the refer and reached in and took the in-line fuse between my fingers and noticed that the fan futtered. So I squeezed it and the fan completely shut off and on, as I repetedly squeezed then let go.
I need to find out how to wire an on/off switch to this that is accessible from the inside of the trailer. Any ideas???
Fans can draw a fair amount of curent, however you squeezing the fuse should not affect the on/off operation of the fan.
Since this is a new unit, take it back to the dealer and have the problem rectified by them. If in fact you do require a in-line switch for the fan, have them instal it. Any changes you make will probably null and void the warranty. If the fridge fails after you modify the electrical system, you will be looking at a couple of "G's" for a fridge and labor.
I appreciate its a pain to go back to the dealer, but they'll void your warranty real quick and blame you for the problem.
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Duke-44
Wyoming Rockies
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Sandia Man wrote:I have a similar model Dometic and it does have a humidity switch which will drain battery rather quickly if it is activated. Our fridge fan runs constantly as well with no significant drain of the battery. Double-check the humidity switch on your fridge and if it is off then you more than likely have a draw coming from somewhere else. Take it back to the dealer or if you are handy with a voltmeter you can measure DC amperage draw through each circuit. On a final note, if you plan on doing a lot of drycamping/boondocking adding another battery (or more) to your set-up will definitely help your cause.
Where is the switch located?
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Duke-44
Wyoming Rockies
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For the short term I have just shut the fan off by getting in the back of the refer and pulling the in-line fuse out. I tried to find a humidity heater switch on Dometic's website. There was not one on my refer where their site info said it was for the DM 2852. I called their customer service, but the gal said she was not a service tech and could not help me (I can read the operation manual as well or better than she could).
Anyone have any other ideas???
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NEVERSWEAT7
Bakersfield, Ca. USA
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let me take a guess.. if you are out and boon docking your refer system should be on propane?? The fan itself should not draw down the batteries that rapidly. Especially not two hours! get it back to shop.. let them experiment with it there. Good luck.
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bstark
Ontario, Canada
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Opening the lower door (fridge cabinet NOT freezer compartment) of the two door model and looking at the top of the inside frame of the opening will divulge the switch if it is equipped with one.
Today is just the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!
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