Motorhomes have been around for a long time. These vehicles have gained huge popularity lately, thanks to the amazing benefits they offer. With access to a kitchen, bedroom, and electrical appliances, it would be safe to say that they let you bring your home on the trip.
Having said that, the refrigerator is an important appliance in our daily life. It preserves our food, allowing it to stay fresh for a long time. Therefore, most RVers invest in a refrigerator to keep their foods safe to eat.
Dometic is a popular choice among RV owners when it comes to refrigerators. Headquartered in Solna Municipality, Sweden, the company came into being in 2001.
It has been continuously growing ever since, and today, it is among the major players in the RV refrigerators industry. Its refrigerators are highly durable and energy-efficient, saving you a great deal of money in the long run.
Even though it is very reliable, you might still run into some issues with your Dometic refrigerator. Many users have complained about power issues while using these refrigerators. According to them, Sometimes, the lights in the refrigerator do not turn on, and it stops cooling.
In this troubleshooting guide, we will take you through some common reasons and solutions for the no power problem in Dometic refrigerators. Read on to find out why this problem occurs and how to troubleshoot it.
Troubleshooting Dometic Refrigerator No Power Issue?
First, make sure that your Dometic refrigerator is plugged in. If it is and still getting no power, here are some solutions to try.
1. Check Fuse
A fuse is a component that limits the current flowing in a circuit. In case excessive current flows through a circuit, it blows out to keep the appliance safe and prevent a fire outbreak. It is an important part of any circuit; if it blows out, your refrigerator may get no power.
Since a fuse blows out quite often, it would be a good idea to inspect it first. A visual inspection can tell you whether it is in good condition or not. Dometic refrigerators feature two fuses, and you will have to remove them from the unit in order to inspect them.
The first one will be outside the motorhome, which will be directly connected to the fridge. If you notice that it is broken, or if the wires have melted, it indicates that the fuse is the culprit. Therefore, you will have to replace it to fix the no power problem.
If a fuse looks fine, consider checking it with a multimeter. For this purpose, you will need to attach the leads of the multimeter to both ends of a fuse. If the fuse is intact, the multimeter will give a beep as soon as you attach the leads.
Similarly, if you do not hear a beep, it means that the fuse is defective. And yes, remember to select the beep mode setting on your multimeter.
If the first fuse is fine, you will need to check the other one. The second fuse is located in the fuse panel of the RV. If you do not know where the fuse panel is located, consider consulting the user manual of your RV.
Dometic refrigerators use a 15 amp fuse, so you must replace the blown-out fuse with a new fuse of the same rating. Once done, your Dometic refrigerator will start working the way it is supposed to.
2. Check Contact Points
If the fuses are not faulty, proceed to check the contact points of your Dometic refrigerator. Sometimes, the problem could be as simple as dirty contact points. So, examine all the points and if they need cleaning, clean them with a cloth.
Furthermore, the connection points of your Dometic refrigerator can also get corroded over time, often leading to no power problem. If so, clean the rust using sandpaper or a metal brush.
If you have cleaned the contact points and your Dometic refrigerator is still not working, you will need to measure the power output of all connection points. Use a multimeter to measure it and then compare it with the recommended readings mentioned in the user manual.
3. Use External Power Source
If your Dometic refrigerator has no power and its lights are not turning on, consider checking the power cord. For this purpose, unplug the refrigerator first and inspect the power cord for any visible damage.
If it is frayed or burnt, replace it to bring your Dometic refrigerator back to life. If the power cable seems fine, the problem could be with the electric outlet.
An outlet is a socket where your refrigerator is plugged in. So, you will need to test it with the electric tester. If you do not have it at home, you can plug in some other electronic appliance, such as a hair dryer, to the same electric outlet.
In many cases, the problem was with the electric outlet of the RV. So, try running your refrigerator on an external power source. You can use an extension cord to connect your fridge with an external power source.
However, if the refrigerator has no power even when connected to an external source, the chances are that there is something wrong with the main circuit.
If that’s the case, it would be better to ask a professional to repair the circuit. A circuit has many components, and repairing it on your own can be dangerous.
Furthermore, you can cause additional damage to its components while repairing. So, it is recommended to reach out to an electrician. They will check all the components and find out the culprit.
4. Check Circuit Board
Any electrician will tell you that the circuit board is the heart of a refrigerator. It has many electric connections and circuits, and the Dometic refrigerator will get no power if there is something wrong with the circuit board.
No cooling is the most common symptom of a faulty circuit board, or it may also cool down excessively. In most cases, the refrigerator gets no power if the circuit board is faulty.
It may go bad when exposed to excessive heat or moisture. Apart from that, power surges can also damage them.
You will need to take the circuit board out of your Dometic refrigerator to check it. It is usually located on the back of the refrigerator. To remove the circuit board, you will have to take off the metal sheet first using a screwdriver.
Once removed, examine all the components on the circuit board of the Dometic refrigerator. If there is any burnt wire or capacitor, consider replacing them to resolve the issue.
A circuit board is a complicated component. So, consider reaching out to an electrician to get it checked. Furthermore, make sure to power off the Dometic refrigerator before inspecting any component.
The Bottom Line
Dometic refrigerators pack many innovative features and have become a go-to choice for many RVers. Nevertheless, you can come across a few problems while using them. Sometimes, the refrigerator gets no power and stops cooling.
If you encounter this problem, check its fuse and the contact points and make sure they are clean. Furthermore, make sure that the power cord is not damaged and is properly plugged in.
