Replaced the refrigerator thermostat

Pintoplumber

We have a 2016 CS-S that we bought in 2019. The refrigerator was always on, I’d have to pull the fuse to turn it off. The last 2 times we camped this fall it didn’t work at all. I pulled the fridge last week to have a look. I tested it with my ohmmeter and it had failed. I ordered a new thermostat Saturday night and it came today. Put it in this afternoon and now it’s working again. I’ll have to post pictures. Dennis 



Here’s the empty cabinet for the fridge. The red and black wire is the 12 volts for the fridge.

Pintoplumber

The left side connection above the fan is the 12 volt connection. Compressor is 12 volt.

Pintoplumber

Here’s the old thermostat.

Pintoplumber

New thermostat 

Pintoplumber

New thermostat installed 

Sharon_is_SAM

Nice save!  Those friges are expensive.

Pintoplumber

It was certainly worth saving. I think with shipping the new thermostat was $37-$38.

rh5555

We were never happy with the temperature regulation inside the 2-way fridge.  We had to adjust the thermostat depending on outside temperature to keep things cool but not frozen.  Part of the issue was that we installed a temperature monitor inside the fridge so we knew how poorly it was performing.

Our solution was to install a digital thermostat replacing the built-in one.  The button to the left of the display turns the fridge on/off.  The display shows the current internal temperature or the set temperature (which it remembers when turned off). 

     

There is a probe associated with the thermostat that is located in the middle of the fridge (attached to the shelf).

And I just turned the fridge on for these pictures - our fridge is not set to 43.7 degrees!

This would be an alternative to replacing a broken thermostat.

Pintoplumber

That looks interesting. Before the old thermostat failed, it never shut off. Things froze for us too. I hope this one is better.

Jax0913

I'm Intrigued! I also just posted about the thermostat and controller in our 2018 400 failing. @Pintoplumber how is the new controller holding up? I am looking between swapping the controller and doing a new thermostat and digital controller like @rh5555. What is the best way to pull the fridge? 

Pintoplumber

@Jax0913 our 1st camping trip is this weekend. I tested the empty fridge at home after the replacement and it ran about 28 degrees on number 1 setting. We’ll try it with food this weekend. If it’s too cold, I’ll move the probe closer to the freezer compartment.

Jax0913

@Pintoplumber sweet! I just ordered a replacement control kit. Should be here Thursday! If this doesn't solve my issue I may explore @rh5555 install 

Jax0913

Worked perfectly... Maybe 10 minutes total. Thanks again @Pintoplumber!

ChrisK

rh5555 said:

We were never happy with the temperature regulation inside the 2-way fridge.  We had to adjust the thermostat depending on outside temperature to keep things cool but not frozen.  Part of the issue was that we installed a temperature monitor inside the fridge so we knew how poorly it was performing.

Our solution was to install a digital thermostat replacing the built-in one.  The button to the left of the display turns the fridge on/off.  The display shows the current internal temperature or the set temperature (which it remembers when turned off). 

     

There is a probe associated with the thermostat that is located in the middle of the fridge (attached to the shelf).

And I just turned the fridge on for these pictures - our fridge is not set to 43.7 degrees!

This would be an alternative to replacing a broken thermostat.

Any more info on how you did this? Might want to do it on my daughter's 400 with the 2-way.

Pintoplumber

Jax0913 said:

I'm Intrigued! I also just posted about the thermostat and controller in our 2018 400 failing. @Pintoplumber how is the new controller holding up? I am looking between swapping the controller and doing a new thermostat and digital controller like @rh5555. What is the best way to pull the fridge? 

Working good this weekend. I’ve been keeping it set at number 2 and it’s working great.

rh5555

@ChrisK: I'm away from my TAB till next week, I'll try to remember to post some details soon.  But so far, so good.  Temperature control is much better (you can set the hysteresis on the controller) and is unaffected by outside temperatures.

XenanMe

@rh5555I am waiting on baited breath to get the details on your digital thermostat for the 2-way fridge.  How is it working for you?  Was it difficult to install? Does the digital display turn off without disrupting the fridge (thinking about the brightness of the display during the night)?  I am convinced my thermostat is in a death spiral and I like the idea of having the controls out front rather than needing to reach in the back of the fridge for adjustments, etc.

rh5555

@XenanMe, I've put the entire insallation process in a new thread https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/13766/digital-thermostat-replacement-for-the-2-way-fridge/p1?new=1

DenverJaguar

Where does the fridge vent heat to? Does that fan at the back/bottom have nowhere to exhaust the heat generated during operation?

rh5555

The hot air is blown out under the fridge towards the front.  Replacement air comes from above the fridge and from other gaps.