Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


General Hi-Lo camper discussion The perfect place to discuss your Hi-Lo camper
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-12-2021, 03:08 PM   #1
Member
 
seseeley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Shingle Springs, CA
Posts: 27
Default Refrigerator contact clean up

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
__________________

__________________
Thanks,
Steve
Shingle Springs, CA (between Sacramento and Tahoe on HW50)
1995 23' FunLite
2007 Silverado C-1500 LT, regular cab, standard box, 5.3L flex fuel, 3.73 GR, 13k lbs GCWR
seseeley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2021, 03:48 PM   #2
Site Team
 
JackandJanet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pine, AZ
Posts: 4,527
Default

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
__________________

__________________
Hi-Lo 1707T - Tire Minder TPMS on Tow Vehicle and Trailer, 300W Solar Battery Charger, Equal-i-zer WDH, Progressive Dynamics Converter, Fan-Tastic Fan, LiFePO4 battery 12V DC Electrical System
2014 F150 Platinum 4x4 3.5L EcoBoost SCrew
JackandJanet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2021, 03:54 PM   #3
Member
 
seseeley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Shingle Springs, CA
Posts: 27
Default

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)
__________________
Thanks,
Steve
Shingle Springs, CA (between Sacramento and Tahoe on HW50)
1995 23' FunLite
2007 Silverado C-1500 LT, regular cab, standard box, 5.3L flex fuel, 3.73 GR, 13k lbs GCWR
seseeley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2021, 07:51 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Niagara Falls
Posts: 352
Default Contact cleaner.

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.
Usagi5678 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2021, 06:54 PM   #5
Member
 
seseeley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Shingle Springs, CA
Posts: 27
Default

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
Attached Images
File Type: png panel.png (19.9 KB, 1 views)
__________________
Thanks,
Steve
Shingle Springs, CA (between Sacramento and Tahoe on HW50)
1995 23' FunLite
2007 Silverado C-1500 LT, regular cab, standard box, 5.3L flex fuel, 3.73 GR, 13k lbs GCWR
seseeley is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hi-Lo Trailers Worldwide or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
HiLoTrailerForum.com Copyright 2010
×