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Any problems with Dometic fridge and CB/Ham radio transmitters?

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by tscottme, May 25, 2018.

  1. May 25, 2018 #1
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    13,831
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    Jul 25, 2008
    Somewhere out West, in my mind.
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    I've read a review on Amazon discussing the Dometic 50QT fridge/freezer. One reviewer noted that transmitters will disrupt the control chip that monitors the unit. He had some instructions about installing ferrite coils or chokes on the power cable, but I'm not sure if the reviewer is someone who noticed the unit will not survive a nuclear apocalypse or if his concern is real. I know high RF CAN disrupt microprocessors. I'm not discussing a theoretical possibility. I'm asking if this issue is a real-life issue with these 40qt or 50 qt units.

    Anyone have one of these Dometic fridge/freezers and a "big radio" and good experience. I'm getting so tired of my 12v cooler. I've replaced the motor once but over 2 decades I'm sure I've spent a few hundred dollars in power cords. I never have less than 2 cords near the cooler. The plastic section that plugs into the cooler stays warm and over time it distorts or the contacts pull out of the cord.

    I don't mind paying $700+ for a unit if I never have to think about it again. Some days I seem to be a cooler monitoring technician than also drives a truck.
     
    tscottme, May 25, 2018
    tscottme, May 25, 2018
    #1
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  3. May 28, 2018 #2
    Slowmover1

    Slowmover1 Road Train Member

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    Oct 25, 2015
    Fort Worth
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    I’ll answer more directly here versus the other thread. My Dometic was several years old when I bought it, but never used.

    I’m using

    Palomar Engineers

    products throughout the truck with my transceiver rig to cut noise from RFI. Whether coax or power, filters at both ends of runs. I’ve also added ferrite toroids to two phone chargers and FPS power, even though I wasn’t having issue with them.

    The tractor is the latest Cascadia condo (built Jan 2018. Detroit plus Auto-12).

    The radio is a Galaxy 99 plus RM Italy 203p. Cophase antenna system.

    I’m currently awaiting the 3” large ferrite toroid for DC power as it has been backordered. So I’m using the larger pair I ordered for the tractor power to the dash panel circuit box in substitution.

    I have the Dometic power line looped several times thru one. This doesn’t eliminate noise in the transceiver, but reduces it dramatically. I can now “hear” broadcasts, and make out what’s being said when the compressor has kicked in. Initial research is that I’ll need to build a Faraday cage to “eliminate” RFI.

    I’ve had no interference problems the other way (maybe 100w if the amp is turned on), but my Dometic may not be the “new” version (I’d guess no older than 2011/2012 original purchase from man who then never used it).

    Appearance is different than what I see in advertising.

    The two units are five feet apart. On passenger seat, and behind it. The Dometic is powered by a cigar lighter plug at bunk base, the Galaxy straight from battery.
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2018
    Slowmover1, May 28, 2018
    Slowmover1, May 28, 2018
    #2
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