The Dometic CFX3 Mega Thread

The tip of the male plug of the DC cable for my fridge has been coming unthreaded intermittently (presumably from vibration while driving), causing me to loose power. Since the threads are plastic-on-plastic, what kind of threadlocker would be best? Plumbing tape? A tiny bit of PVC cement? Blue Loctite?

 

That would be a safe start.

 

Camping World.
Are they not authorized by Dometic to do repairs? They might have/know the item you need.

 

If I was going to buy a part, I would verify it is correct and that it is replaceable.
But, I am probably preaching to the choir here, you know that already.

 

Shouldn't be an issue in the first place. I have a SnoMaster fridge that's going on strong almost 10 years but I decided to pick up this Dometic unit for a good deal used only to have constant issues with it. At the point of throwing it in the woods because I just don't care enough to deal with it.

 

Dometic not having anything to say here is a bigger statement. Customer service for such expensive items should be at the same level as the price of the item.... used or not.

 

I’ve posted multiple times about my attempts to get help; @Dometic ’s customer service is nonexistent.

 

Unfortunately, I agree. Just sent them my second email about their recall of the CFX3s.

 

Dometic Corporation is recalling 5,533 CFX3 Series chest refrigerators (models

$761 CFX3 35 Portable Refrigerator and Freezer - 36L - Powered by AC/DC or Solar Portable Refrigerator, Smokey Gray

CFX3 35,

$780 CFX3 45 -Liter Portable Refrigerator and Freezer, Powered by AC/DC or Solar

CFX3 45, CFX3 55IM, CFX3 75DZ, CFX3 95DZ and CFX3 100).

The protection device on the electrical circuit may fail when the refrigerator is connected to both AC and DC power, allowing the AC/DC power supply to back feed through some or all of the other appliances (such as the air conditioner, water pump, lights, furnace, etc.) that are connected to the 12V DC system.

A voltage overload may result, causing DC appliances on the same circuit to fail.

 

IIRC though, the "recall" is just a sticker or you can return the fridge.

 

Sorry for the late reply...lots of travel has kept us offline for the last several weeks.

For service issues, the best thing to do is go to our warranty page and use the number and/or form on the page. The number is usually the fastest way to reach someone that can help answer your questions.

If you find that you can't get an answer, let me know via private message, and I'll see if I can escalate for you somehow.

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

 

This was from back in 2020. If you'll email recall@dometic.com with the model information and serial number, the team will determine if your unit is part of the recall.

 

Speaking of which, my CFX50 that I bought back in 2018 specifically says in the manual that I can plug in BOTH AC and DC and it is smart enough to prefer AC. Then when I unplug the AC from the garage to leave, it automatically switches over to DC.

In the manual for the CFX3 25 I got for my dad, it says NOT to plug in both. What changed? This was a great feature of my fridge - are all of the newer ones with the cost saving change and can't handle both power inputs at the same time?

 

I believe nothing has changed at all. Dometic made the wrong decision on how to handle a recall. The recall options are they send you a sticker that says only plug one source of power in at a time OR you can return the refrigerator to them for a refund of what you paid. My understanding is they are not rectifying the problem, so there is no change, SAD. The only change is the manual to not include that basic feature of the CFX3 automatically changing between available power sources.
A real change would be to rectify the design or install a discreate relay that would disconnect the DC when AC is applied - simple enough to do; I may do just that myself.

 

Thanks.
My comment is more about service and repair being lacking. Not warranty claims.

 

I understand. I was just providing the contact information found on the warranty page to assist in getting service and repair underway when needed.

 

My 45 went from Thursday 5 pm to Sunday about noon in Virginia mtns camping. (Montebello area)
--Jackery 500 was still about 50%.
--Not hot during the day. Hurricane rain and wind.
--Left it sitting in the AC back seat.
--Accessed several times a day.

I am happy with that.

 

@Dometic ?

 

I wasn't too far from you, I was about an hour and a half southwest at Potts Jeep trail this weekend. Boy was it windy and wet!

 

Crabtree Falls Parking Area
Wet And Windy