Dometic Thermal Fuse DMA4064-DMA4087 | Marine Fridge Part
Dometic Thermal Fuse DMA4064-DMA4087 | Marine Fridge Part — Product description
When the thermal fuse lets go on a Dometic absorption fridge, the whole box quits cooling. This is the genuine Dometic replacement assembly, part number 38514090155, for the DMA4064 through DMA4087 marine refrigerators. Small part, important job. Get the right one and your fridge is back in business without a guess.
When the thermal fuse on your Dometic absorption fridge lets go, the whole box stops cooling. This is the genuine Dometic replacement assembly, part number 38514090155, built for the DMA4064, DMA4067, DMA4068, DMA4081, DMA4084, and DMA4087 refrigerators. It's a small part that does an important job, and getting the right one matters.
The thermal fuse is a safety device, not a convenience part. It sits on the cooling unit and opens the power circuit if the fridge runs too hot. Absorption refrigerators like these run an ammonia cycle that gets genuinely warm in normal operation, and the fuse is there to cut power before heat becomes a problem. When it opens, it doesn't reset. You replace it. That's by design.
How do you know it's the fuse and not something else? Usually the fridge just stops cooling with no other warning, and it won't run on either 120V AC or 12V DC because the fuse sits in the common power path. If your controls still light up but the box slowly warms to ambient over a day, the thermal fuse is one of the first things to check. It's cheaper and easier to rule out than the cooling unit or the control board.
On boats, these fuses blow for a few common reasons. The most frequent one we hear about is blocked ventilation. If cushions, insulation, or stowed gear crowd the vents behind or beside the unit, heat backs up and the fuse does its job. Before you install a new one, pull everything away from the fridge vents and make sure air can move. The second common cause is a shorted 120V heating element. If the fuse blew while running on shore power, test the element's resistance before you button everything back up. A new fuse on a bad element just blows again.
Access depends on your install. On a lot of sailboat and trawler builds, the fuse lives behind the cooling unit rather than behind a side panel, so you may need to pull the fridge to reach it. Give yourself time and label your wiring. Some owners find the replacement leads run a little short for the older DMA4064 harness. If that's you, extend with marine-grade crimp terminals and heat shrink rather than stretching the connection.
While you're in there, it's worth checking the thermostat and giving the cooling unit a sniff. A sharp ammonia smell means the sealed cooling unit itself has a problem, and a fuse won't fix that. Boats with a lot of ambient heat, think engine-room-adjacent installs on trawlers, tend to be harder on these fuses. A simple heat shield between the unit and a hot bulkhead can add real life to the replacement.
Match the original. This assembly is rated for a specific temperature, and using the correct Dometic part keeps that rating where the engineer intended. A higher-rated fuse defeats the whole point and lets the coil run hotter than it should. This is the assembly Dometic specifies for these models, so you're not guessing.
The DMA400-series covers a range of marine refrigerators fitted on everything from coastal cruisers to bluewater sailboats. The DMA4064 through DMA4087 all share this same thermal fuse assembly, so if your unit falls in that range you're in the right place. If your data plate reads a different DMA number, send it over and we'll check the cross-reference before you buy. It's also worth grabbing a spare while you're here, since a thermal fuse is a cheap part to keep in the toolbox and a miserable one to be without offshore. A dead fridge on a weekend trip is nobody's idea of fun, so order before 3 PM ET on an in-stock day and it ships same day.
Key Features
- Genuine Dometic thermal fuse assembly, part number 38514090155, for a direct OEM replacement
- Fits Dometic DMA4064, DMA4067, DMA4068, DMA4081, DMA4084 and DMA4087 marine refrigerators
- Thermal switch assembly cuts power to the cooling unit if it overheats, protecting the absorption system
- One-time safety fuse that opens on over-temperature and is replaced rather than reset
- Sits in the common power path, so it protects the fridge on both 120V AC and 12V DC operation
- Correct factory temperature rating for these models, so there's no guessing on the replacement
Why Buy from NVN Marine
- Authorized Dometic reseller, full manufacturer warranty
- NMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs
- Same-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items
- NY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store
Technical specifications
| Title | Dometic Thermal Fuse Assembly for DMA4064-DMA4087 Refrigerators |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dometic |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 38514090155 |
| UPC | 713814329846 |
| Keystone Part Number | 8514090155 |
| Component Type | Thermal Fuse / Thermal Switch Assembly |
| Fits Dometic Model | DMA4064 |
| Fits Dometic Model | DMA4067 |
| Fits Dometic Model | DMA4068 |
| Fits Dometic Model | DMA4081 |
| Fits Dometic Model | DMA4084 |
| Fits Dometic Model | DMA4087 |
Frequently asked questions
What does the thermal fuse in a Dometic refrigerator do?
It's a safety device that sits on the cooling unit and opens the power circuit if the fridge runs too hot. Absorption refrigerators get warm in normal use, and the fuse cuts power before heat becomes a real problem. It's a one-time fuse, so when it opens you replace it rather than reset it.
What happens when the thermal fuse goes out?
The fridge stops cooling. Because the fuse sits in the common power path, the box won't run on 120V AC or 12V DC until the fuse is replaced. Usually there's no other warning. The controls may still light up while the box slowly warms to ambient over a day.
Why does my Dometic thermal fuse keep blowing?
The most common cause on boats is blocked ventilation. If cushions, insulation, or stowed gear crowd the vents, heat backs up and the fuse does its job. A shorted 120V heating element is the other big one. If it blew on shore power, test the element's resistance before installing a new fuse, or the new one just blows again.
What rating fuse do I need for my Dometic fridge?
Use the part Dometic specifies for your model rather than guessing a rating. This assembly is the factory replacement for the DMA4064 through DMA4087 units, so it carries the temperature rating the engineers intended. Going to a higher-rated fuse defeats the safety purpose and lets the coil run hotter than it should.
Which refrigerators does this thermal fuse fit?
It's the Dometic replacement for the DMA4064, DMA4067, DMA4068, DMA4081, DMA4084, and DMA4087 refrigerators. If your data plate shows a different DMA number, send it to us and we'll check the cross-reference before you order.
Where is the thermal fuse located and is it hard to replace?
On many sailboat and trawler installs the fuse lives behind the cooling unit rather than behind a side panel, so you may need to pull the fridge to reach it. It's not complicated electrically, but give yourself time and label your wiring. If the replacement leads run short for an older harness, extend them with marine-grade terminals and heat shrink.
Should I check anything else while I'm replacing it?
Yes. Check the thermostat, make sure the vents are clear, and give the cooling unit a sniff. A sharp ammonia smell means the sealed cooling unit has a problem, and a fuse won't fix that. On hot installs near an engine room, a heat shield against the bulkhead helps the new fuse last.
Is this a genuine Dometic part?
Yes. This is the genuine Dometic thermal fuse assembly, manufacturer part number 38514090155. We're an authorized Dometic reseller, so it comes with the full manufacturer warranty.
