Dometic CFX3 Recall info thread

Hi Everyone,

As you may have heard through our dealers and forum members, we recently issued a recall notice for CFX3 coolers. We've attached a copy of the recall letter that you should receive if you've registered your CFX3 cooler.

The short version:
If you have your cooler plugged into AC and DC at the same time, the DC supply is switched off, and you have other DC appliances connected, a protection device in the cooler can fail and feed 28V into the DC circuit. This can then overload the other DC devices on the circuit. The resolution is to attach an additional warning sticker to your cooler. There is no need to return your cooler unless you want to due to the recall. We're happy to honor these requests.


The longer version:
If (1) you have a vehicle with both AC and DC circuits and (2) a CFX3 unit is connected to both onboard 120VAC and 12VDC circuits/sockets at the same time and (3) the 12VDC supply is switched off with additional 12VDC device in line with the CFX3 in the “ON" position, under these circumstances a protection device in the CFX3 unit can fail and allow the AC/DC power supply to back feed 28V through the CFX3 to some or all the other DC appliances (such as AC, water pump, lights, furnace, etc.) that are connected to the 12VDC system. DC appliances on the same DC circuit may therefore fail from a voltage overload.

Although no fire has been reported or observed and is extremely unlikely, the voltage overload may cause electrical damage and local charring damage to such appliances and immediate surrounding materials.

Potential use cases, although rare, which can lead to this failure can happen when the CFX3 is connected to BOTH AC AND DC power and:

1. While connected to AC power, something causes the master fuse on the DC circuit of the vehicle to trip, removing DC power from the DC circuit; or

2. While connected to AC power, the user chooses to turn off the vehicle’s 12VDC power system; or

3. While the vehicle’s 12VDC power system is turned off, the user turns on the vehicle’s generator or inverter.


We've attached a copy of the recall letter that has/will be going out to all registered owners. If you have questions about the recall give us a call or email at the following:


Dometic Recall Line at 888-9434905

or via email at recall@dometic.com


We'll also do our best to answer questions here as they come up.


We apologize for any inconvenience, uncertainty, and inability to purchase products while we ironed out the impact and means to resolve the issue identified.

Thanks for your continued support of Dometic!

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
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Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+

 

And this only applies to the new line of CFX3 fridges? Not to the previous generation CFX also?

 

Ugh! Can't like that post.

 

Correct. Only the CFX3s manufactured between November 2019 and June 18, 2020.

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
shop.dometic.com
Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+

 

It mentions vehicle onboard AC. Before a trip, I’ll have my fridge in my truck plugged into the trucks DC. I’ll run an extension cord to the truck and run it off AC overnight, leaving both AC and DC plugged in. Is that considered the same?

 

Thank you for the transparency and heads up! I’m in the market for a fridge and considering this line up, it’s actually top of my list. While I don’t see this being an issue for my initial planned set up, I would like to have AC and DC options in the future.. so @Dometic , is the fix for this recall going to be a sticker, or is there going to be a hardware update to remedy the issue? Basically wondering if I should hold off on purchase until an updated unit is being produced, or if a good sale comes along and purchasing now wouldn’t really matter (ie. fixed with a warning sticker).

 

Subbed for updates. I have one of the affected fridge. Glad I registered it.

 

Effectively it is the same scenario if you have any other items on the same DC circuit. If so, 24V could be passed from the AC to the DC side and overload that item.

The recall is just a sticker reminding everyone to not have both plugged in at the same time. Choose one or the other - just don't leave both power options plugged in

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
shop.dometic.com
Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+

 

Easy day! Thanks for the reply.

 

Both AC and DC are supported now. It's recommended that you don't have both DC and AC power plugged into the cooler at the same time. Just choose one or the other.

There is no hardware update coming, only a sticker added near where the AC and DC connectors are located on the cooler to remind you to choose one or the other. This is mentioned in the attached letter that is going out to existing CFX3 customers. (Be sure to click on the attachment on this post to see the letter)

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
shop.dometic.com
Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+

 

Right on, thanks for the speedy response

 

I kinda asked this already, but now I’m still a bit unsure. It’s clear the CFX is not covered under the recall. Is that because it already has a sticker or because if doesn’t have this issue?

Just so I’m clear, with the CFX, there should be no issue having AC and DC connected at the same time.

 

Really? The recall is a sticker? Will this be fixed in the hardware of your fridges moving forward? I’d much rather switch out fridges for an updated one if possible. Not really comfortable with a fridge that risks frying the electronics in my truck if I forget to unplug one before the other.

 

I was seriously considering purchasing a Dometic soon, but this is making me second guess that decision. Especially if there’s no fix for it other than a sticker.

 

How can I tell when my new Dometic CFX3 95DZ was made??? Just got it!!

 

In the first post there is an attachment that shows where to look for the serial number and what range to check for. If you have trouble or questions you’ll also find the phone number for the recall line.

DOMETIC
mobile living made easy
shop.dometic.com
Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+

 

It's sad about the CFX3 line recall... I just initiated my refund. I can't justify spending so much money on a fridge and having the fix to be just a sticker plus I don't want to risk having issues in the future. Hope they can resolve the issue with a new production.

 

Hello ARB...

 

Could be wrong but I think Dometic makes the fridge for ARB....

 

In the past they did, to ARB specs. But rumor has it that ARB has a new supplier for their new line of Zero fridges:
https://arbusa.com/portable-fridge-freezers/zero-fridge-freezer/