Refrigerator contact clean up - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

seseeley · 10-12-2021, 04:08 PM

Hi all,

The Dometic Refrigerator RM2501 in our 1995 23' Funlite has very stiff fuel supply selector and thermostat controls. I'm planning on opening up the control panel from the front and thoroughly spaying these controls with contact cleaner. After allowing the panel to dry I'll lightly grease (in select locations) the mechanical pivot points.

Has anyone here done anything like this? Any tips, recommendation or insight would be welcome.

Thanks,
Steve

JackandJanet · 10-12-2021, 04:48 PM

I haven't done what you are proposing on the refrigerator in my trailer, because it is entirely electronic, with a touch panel. But, I have done something similar to other devices, such as controls in automobiles, and in older radios. It worked when I did it there, so I'd say, "Give it a try".

- Jack

seseeley · 10-12-2021, 04:54 PM

Thanks Jack.
I found a diagram in the refrig manual. Looks like the front controls only have long shafts connected to them. I'll do more investigation. Found a site with good info:
Dave's Place - RV Refrigerator Technical Pages
Dave's Place - Dometic Manual Refrigerator Controls (not my model but explains a lot)

Usagi5678 · 10-12-2021, 08:51 PM

What you are thinking about doing sounds reasonable. Moving parts need some help. For instance DH used silicone spray on our dump valves. He also lubed the bat wing TV antenna as per the maintenance instructions. The antenna slides much better.

seseeley · 10-16-2021, 07:54 PM

I've learn a lot about how my Dometic Refrigerator RM2510 (not RM2501) works internally. The good news is I fixed my stiff controls. What's silly about this whole episode is there was nothing wrong with the controls themselves. Over the years food, soda, beer had falling into the little windows that show fuel selection and thermostat setting. See attachment below. This in turn made the knobs stick to the front panel. Flooding the control windows with WD-40 first then isopropyl alcohol fix my problem.

However to discover the problem with the stiff controls I had to loosen the front panel and pulled it forward an inch or so. But initially I had to break it loose from the refrigerators metal frame which ended in a sudden pop. When putting it back together everything went together smoothly with all the controls working correctly. But I did notice when sliding the control panel into place that the last 1/8" was kind of spring loaded. Now this could be by design so the control aren't loose and rattle. And the reason the control panel didn't spring open initially was because of sticky stuff gluing the panel itself it to the frame. Or it could be I don't quit have everything back together correctly even though all the controls work correctly. ???

Lastly, if you actually need to get to the actual controls they're at the back of the refrigerator and somewhat accessible from outside. However getting to the fuel selector switch will probably require removing the refrigerator from its cabinet.

Have fun,
Steve