Re: [SilverStreak] Dometic fridge

["Eddie" <Eddie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Curt,
On the fridge, the one I bought was a Norcold 2 way, not a Dometic. The 
Dometic's are the only ones I have seen the IC recall and fail issues. I 
have slight floor damage to repair on mine (66 Streamline Motor Coach) so I 
have not yet installed it but did free-stand run it on 120v and used a tiny 
burglar alarm 12 v gel cell for the 12 v power. It requires the battery to 
make it operate on anything. Tom Patterson's Dometic has the same 
requirement of 12 v power. I checked when I bought and all need the low 
voltage for the controller. The power draw is slight like an LED.

I plan to pay special attention to that 12 v power source when installed. I 
already have 12 supply existing since I removed a 3-way, but I will not use 
that supply as I cannot control it. I have done lot's of research on the IC 
controller problems and am convinced the problem is over-voltage from power 
converters. Like LED's, the voltage limit is 9 to 15 vdc. I have yet to find 
a converter, even the $800 new "smart" converters that stay below 15 volts 
finish rate when I check with a digital multi-meter. They all claim a finish 
rate at 14.8 vdc or less, but will not stay there. These sensitive 
electronics are like a 6 volt bulb getting hit with 12 volts, even for a 
moment. All voltage limiter I have tried simply don't work, are too slow, or 
rate-varied with load and battery health conditions.

When I install the new expensive Norcold, I will use the little Gel Cell 
battery in the ample available area behind the fridge and easily accessible 
thru the outside vent access cover. I will use a split spade connector on 
the little battery for the fridge, and to connect a tiny 400 MA universal 12 
VDC charger  plugged into the duplex outlet already convenient and existing 
for the 120 V power for  the fridge. The little charger's finish rate is an 
absolute 13.9 VDC and verifies with the digital multi-meter. If the fridge 
was a 3-way, I would use the coaches 12 V existing supply to operate only 
the fridges 12v heating element, but not the battery charging or the IC 
circuit. I also used that existing power for a little compartment 
convenience fluorescent light.
-Eddie-
Houston, TX