technoholic
Arizona
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We are on the road and our refrigerator quit. Nothing on propane or AC and no light on the panel inside. After a couple troubleshooting sessions, I discovered the thermal fuse that's tucked in behind he burner tube was open. A RV parts house happened to be across the street from where we were staying. A search of their inventory came up empty. Checking out back in something of a refrigerator graveyard also came up empty, none of those old units ever had a thermal fuse installed.
I got the frig working again by cutting the fuse out and splicing the wires together until a replacement fuse can be found. I have to wonder, since many refrigerators don't even have that thermal fuse, how important can it be? Is it just a weak point prone to failure? Anyone else have the same experience?
It reminds me of a coffee maker I used to own that had a similar thermal fuse that would blow and need replaced on a regular basis.
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othertonka
Stockton, CA
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Joined: 11/15/2003
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I think the thermal fuse was added during a recent recall of Dometic refers. They installed some sheet metal around the burner area and enclosed a thermal fuse in that area. The recall was for a fire hazard and the solution was the thermal fuse that if activated would shut OFF the propane valve for the refer so no more propane would flow and feed the fire. So did you have the recall done since you owned the RV? I have had th erecall done and I guess I need to find a spare thermal fuse. I wonder what made the thermal fuse fail? It would have to be a lot of heat in my opinion. Good luck finding a fuse.
This link might explain more.
Dometic recall
An other idea just poped into my head, find a RV shop that does the Dometic recall and ask if they haev any of the recall kits in their inventory. If so the kit has all of the parts needed including the thermal disc and or the thermal fuse. They should be able to rob the kit and then get a new kit from Dometic.
* This post was
edited 11/09/10 07:56pm by othertonka *
Othertonka
2004 Southwind 32VS 8.1 Workhorse chassis
2002 CRV Toad
U. S. Gear Unified brake system
Retired Fire Captain, SFD
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Gene&Ginny
North Kingstown, RI
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Is this the thermal fuse in the thread below?
http://forums.woodalls.com/index.cfm/fus........thread/tid/23746190/gotomsg/23753310.cfm
Gene and DW Ginny
2008 Toyota 4Runner 4.7L V8 w/factory towing option
2002 Sunline Solaris Lite T2363
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Do read this link too.
The only reason this fuse should go bad is due to a dying cooling unit where the flow of liquid in the cooling unit is becoming blocked so the heat from the flame/electric element is not being properly removed.
Yes the fuse may have been defective, etc, etc but IF you see your frig not cooling as well as in the past know you are at risk of a frig fire. Failed or failing cooling units seem to be the major cause of frig fires the best I can deduct from my readings.
Your penny under the fuse trick could become deadly. All RV frigs should have this upgrade but most do not.
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sweethome alabama
Scottsboro, Alabama
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look at the thermal there is a way to reset it. I helped my father-in-law on his. I checked it with a ohm meter and his was open. Also his lost the ammonia too. Visual yellow all over the place. Anyhow the dealer reset his when he went in to enquire on a repair for the ammonia system. Might be a different type on his but might be worth looking at on yours.
Mike
04 suburban 1500
00 silverado 1500
05 jayco 27bh
Couldn't get rig to post,so here is my burgler alarm!!
our pics
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technoholic
Arizona
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Thanks everyone for all the good info.
Yes, this is the recall fuse, I know that now. We just bought this TT and knew the recall work had been done but did not know the details.
The frig is working fine with that fuse bypassed and there is no evidence of a leak. Nevertheless, the fuse will be replaced ASAP.
Thanks again, what a great bunch of people on this forum!!!
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eddeeeee
colorado
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Joined: 04/16/2006
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Same thing happened to me. Worked for two years and went out after towing all day in 99 degree heat.
Seems to me the recall repair is a poor design, In mine they wrapped the flame chamber in another metal enclosure and blocked over half of the refrigerator vent in the process.
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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It was used without it before the recall, but sleep lightly…
And don’t park to close to the house…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
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