Dometic Americana User manual

•Americana /Americana Plus
•Classic
•New Dimensions
•New Generations

Home Refrigerators
vs
RV Refrigerators
•Compressor vs Absorption
•Controlled Environment vs
Changing Environment
•Recovery time is vastly
different
30-45 minutes vs
1-2 hours recovery

CONDENSER
EVAPORATOR
ABSORBER
BOILER
SOLUTION IS
MADE UP OF:
•AMMONIA
•WATER
•HYDROGEN
•RUST INHIBITOR
The
Absorption
System
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To properly test a Cooling Unit
Three criteria have to be met:
•Level ?
•Ventilation ?
•Heat Source?

Ventilation
Make sure you check Ventilation and Air Flow
-0” clearance on the sides and top
-No more than 1” from back of CU to
sidewall. (A baffle may need to be installed to
help direct air across coils)
-If there is an auxiliary fan, check that it is
working properly.
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Typical Double Door Install
0” clearance on the side and
top and less than 1” from CU
to sidewall Application Guide 3308666.XXX
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Typical Side by Side Installation
in Slide Out/2 Sidewall Vents
Application Guide 3308666.XXX
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Symptom: Not Cooling
Air is not being forced through the
condenser –to much space!
Warm air is being trapped around
the refrigerator from a poor
installation.

AUXILIARY FANS
Helps with air flow.
3108705.751 for Single Door refers
Fan limit switch will close at 105°F and open at
90°F +/- 10%.
3108705.744 for Double Door refers
Fan limit switch will close at 150°F and open at 120° +/-
10%.
Will draw only .5 amps each.
In-line fuse to protect circuit
Small Fan # 3851183016
Note: Please write these Part #’s down as they are not in the service manual.
Limit Switch only: 3104723.006
Limit Switch only: 3104133.016

Heating Elements
The function of the heating element
is to provide the boiler with a
specific amount of BTU’s of Heat
AC Heating Element 6,8,10 cu ft.
Ohms –Approx. 44 +/- 10%
Amps –Approx. 2.7
Watts –325
Series AC Heating Element for side
wise/side by side
Ohms –Approx. 34.3 +/- 10%
Amps –Approx. 3.5
Watts –420
DC Heating element (Not shown) 6 cu ft.
Continuity –yes or no
Amps –Approx 18
Watts –Approx. 215
Note: Only use DC heating element
when driving to or from a location.
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To Perform a By-Pass Test of
the Cooling Unit
Disconnect the Thermister from Control Board
(with the thermister unplugged no temperature is
sensed, therefore, it will run continuously).
Place a glass of water in the refrigerator along with
a thermometer.
Plug unit into 115 VAC and allow to run “wide
open” for approximately 12 hours.
DO NOT DIRECT WIRE HEATING ELEMENT!
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Water/Thermometer UNPLUG at P2 Terminal
To Perform a By-Pass Test of
the Cooling Unit
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After 12 hours Check
Liquid Temperature
•Industry Standards with
the thermister plugged IN…
•8 cubic foot and larger should
be 43°F or Less at 110°F
ambient temperature.
•6 cubic foot and smaller
should be 43°F or Less at 90°F
ambient temperature.
•After running “wide open”
for 12 hours with the
thermister unplugged…
•Should be approximately in
the lower 30’s under NORMAL
conditions.
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Refrigerator Specifications
A MINIMUM of 9.6 VDC at terminal block for controls
to operate properly.
Best from Battery, if not, from battery side of converter
or filtered side.
A MAXIMUM of 6 VAC ripple.
A Dedicated Fused Circuit –Nothing else tied into
circuit!
Must have 11” water column with 50% of all BTU
appliances on.
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Thermister
The function of the thermister
is to monitor the temperature
inside the refrigerator box
using resistance.
Symptom: Over Cooling or
Under Cooling.
Check Ohms Value of
thermister. In a glass of ice
water at approx. 34°F you
should see between 8500
and 9500 Ohms.
Note: NDA 1402 has different
value. At approx 34°F you
should see between 5000 to
6000 Ohms.
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UPPER CONTOL BOARD
The function of the Upper Control
Board is to send commands to the
Lower Control Board
Symptom: No LED lights or no operation
1st check for DC voltage at the 5/6 wire Harness
plugged into the P1 terminal on Lower Board.
Check between terminal 5 –red and terminal 4 +
orange wire. This is the DC voltage going to the upper
control board. Note: If no voltage, check 3 amp fuse
and then at the terminal block.
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5/6 Wire
Harness
The Function of the 5/6 Wire
Harness is to connect from the
lower board to the upper control
board .
Allows the upper board to
communicate with the Lower
Board.
Symptom: No LED lights, No
operation.
Check Continuity through each
wire to chassis ground.

5/6 Wire Harness in P1
Connector
- Red to + Orange (UP)
- Red to + Green (GAS Down)
- Red to + Black (ELECT. Down)
Should see approximately:
9.6 VDC to 22 VDC
With no more than 1.5 volt
difference
•Turn on refrigerator.
•Check DC voltage coming from upper control board on P1 connector
•Check from - red to + Green and –red to + Black

Lower Control Board
Minimum of 9.6 VDC to Maximum of 22 VDC
Minimum of 9.6 VDC for initial opening of Gas Valve
Note: Upper control board will stay lit at 4 VDC, but no
commands will be sent to lower control board
ALL TESTS ARE TO BE DONE WITH THE
REFRIGERATOR IN THE COOLING MODE
Unplug the thermister from the control board during
lower board testing to assure unit is calling for cooling.
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