Old refrigerator questions December 30, 2017, 12:05:16 am We have the original in our '95TK and it still operates. I have upgraded to a Dinosaur board a while back but that's just about it.Do refrigerators lose their ability over time? This one struggles in warmer weather at times.Should I consider a replacement prior to a 5 monther this spring over the American west AZ, CO, ID,WA, OR and back to CA? Maybe WY and MT.What am I looking at price wise??Would it be something you would do?It's been good to us. All the way to Alaska and back to SoCal and more.
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #1 – December 30, 2017, 04:21:44 am Refrigerators do wear out. Cooling systems leak, compressors die... pretty much like everything else eventually. Keeping the refrigerator side of the coach out of direct sunlight can help, but in some regions there’s only so much you can do. I’d take some measurements and do the internet research on the most efficient models in that size.
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #2 – December 30, 2017, 08:06:04 am "...compressors die..."----Unless it's a 'household' type of refrigerator, refrigerators commonly used in RVs, e.g., Dometic or Norcold, are absorption-type refrigerators; they don't have compressors. In the case of the refrigerator in the OP's 1995 model, it might be a good idea to have the unit thoroughly serviced (there are several service points on RV refrigerators) and its condition evaluated by a 'refrigerator tech' before replacing it. And, if the refrigerator does need to be replaced, a 'good read' (and look) is the refrigerator insulation do-over in the Larry Wade Projects link (home page of the message board). I don't know how many refrigerators or which model years this applies to, but the refrigerator in my 2003 was not installed per the manual and is lacking in insulation. 1 Likes
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #3 – December 30, 2017, 04:01:37 pm Yeah, my mistake. Servicing may help if it hasn’t been done before- especially if it works better in one mode than another. Insulating better is always cheaper than replacing. That said, it may be time.
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #4 – December 30, 2017, 10:16:09 pm Quote from: tedeboy - December 30, 2017, 12:05:16 amWe have the original in our '95TK and it still operates. I have upgraded to a Dinosaur board a while back but that's just about it.Do refrigerators lose their ability over time? This one struggles in warmer weather at times.Should I consider a replacement prior to a 5 monther this spring over the American west AZ, CO, ID,WA, OR and back to CA? Maybe WY and MT.What am I looking at price wise??Would it be something you would do?23 years is a very long time for a original refrigerator to last. Most die much earlier.Refrigerators do age, no matter how well they are taken care of.If I were planning a long trip, the refrigerator would likely be on the replacement list. If it dies, it will be on a Saturday night, 200 miles from the nearest replacement. Replacements start at around $1500. Don't bother with a rebuilt cooling unit, the plastic interior parts are brittle after so many years.Larry 2 Likes
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #5 – December 31, 2017, 11:13:22 am Thank you Larry.Is there a particular brand/model to look for?Does the $1,500 include the labor to install?I’d imagine a home install requires special tools and knowledge?
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #6 – December 31, 2017, 12:21:06 pm Quote from: tedeboy - December 31, 2017, 11:13:22 amIs there a particular brand/model to look for?Does the $1,500 include the labor to install?I’d imagine a home install requires special tools and knowledge?You can look up your refrigerator's model number and find the current replacement on the chart below..http://store.famerv.com/fame/include/retrieve_file.php?type=overview&fileid=2426Make sure the cabinet's rough opening size matches the existing space.The $1500 estimate would include installation. You can save money by installing it yourself, assuming you have the skill set and a strong helper.It is an advanced DIY install due to having to remove the refrigerator and then passing it through one of the coach's big window openings (screen open and a blanket laid over the sill, for protection). It take two relatively strong people to do this. Beyond that, no special tools are required.I use a stand the hold the refrigerator at the right height, when removing and reinstalling, for ease.Refer | Table, built at the refrigerator's installed height.… | FlickrThe refrigerator is secured with a handful of screws. There is a propane gas line that needs to be disconnected and reconnected, afterwards checking for leaks with a liquid leak detector. Beside that, the 120-volt power and control wiring needs to be R&R.Any RV shop should be able to replace it. It's about a two hour job.Larry
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #7 – December 31, 2017, 12:34:48 pm I’ll need to contact Dometic.Current is a 2607 3-way. The chart indicates a 2620 as replacement but it’s a 2-way (gas and AC only no DC).
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #8 – December 31, 2017, 01:43:04 pm I've fought my battles with refrigerators. On one RV fridge where I replaced the cooling unit, the tape holding the insulation sealed to the outside had failed. This would be consistent with "losing efficiency". The cooling unit had also rusted through and it gave up its ammonia ghost.But these things are very simple in the mechanical department. If the diagnostic chart by the manufacturer (and they're quite decent charts) says to replace the cooling unit - you now have a $500 problem rather than a $1300 problem. You can buy new manufacture cooling units in addition to repops. I got one from some generic "Amish" operation on ebay and it worked fabulously.Long story short - I'd follow the manufacturer troubleshooting guide and decide from there and personally only replace the whole fridge if it was last resort. But I do most of my own work so ymmv.Edit - there could be something much more basic going on like a dirty flume or something. It really needs some checks and may not be anything serious based on info provided.
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #9 – December 31, 2017, 02:04:01 pm Quote from: LazyMatt - December 31, 2017, 01:43:04 pmI've fought my battles with refrigerators. On one RV fridge where I replaced the cooling unit, the tape holding the insulation sealed to the outside had failed. This would be consistent with "losing efficiency". The cooling unit had also rusted through and it gave up its ammonia ghost.But these things are very simple in the mechanical department. If the diagnostic chart by the manufacturer (and they're quite decent charts) says to replace the cooling unit - you now have a $500 problem rather than a $1300 problem. You can buy new manufacture cooling units in addition to repops. I got one from some generic "Amish" operation on ebay and it worked fabulously.Long story short - I'd follow the manufacturer troubleshooting guide and decide from there and personally only replace the whole fridge if it was last resort. But I do most of my own work so ymmv.Edit - there could be something much more basic going on like a dirty flume or something. It really needs some checks and may not be anything serious based on info provided.Thank you.My refrig struggles in warm weather. I have an internal circulation fan and that helps but the overall temp rises sometimes into the low 50's on a hot day even when the exterior is shaded.Replacing the cooling unit sounds intriguing. Is the refrigerator removed to accomplish this?
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #10 – December 31, 2017, 02:13:43 pm Quote from: tedeboy - December 31, 2017, 12:34:48 pmI’ll need to contact Dometic.Current is a 2607 3-way. The chart indicates a 2620 as replacement but it’s a 2-way (gas and AC only no DC).Your current RM 2607 has a smaller opening than the Dometics used in later models.The RM 2620 is the only model I see that will fit your opening.You choices are very limited unless you reconfigure the opening to accept the newer models. This usually isn't a practical solution.Very few Dometics today are 3-way, you probably will have to give-up the 12-volt operation unless you rewire it to use an inverter, while on the road.This is another of the issues one runs into owning an elderly RV.As mentioned before, installing a rebuilt cooling unit in such an old body isn't a good idea unless, for some unknown reason, the plastics have not become brittle, with age. Every older Dometic I have ever looked at sufferers from this condition.Larry
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #11 – December 31, 2017, 02:17:35 pm Quote from: Larry W - December 31, 2017, 02:13:43 pmYour current RM 2607 has a smaller opening than the Dometics used in later models.The RM 2620 is the only model I see that will fit your opening.You choices are very limited unless you reconfigure the opening to accept the newer models. This usually isn't a practical solution.Very few Dometics today are 3-way, you probably will have to give-up the 12-volt operation unless you rewire it to use an inverter, while on the road.This is another of the issues one runs into owning an elderly RV.As mentioned before, installing a rebuilt cooling unit in such an old body isn't a good idea unless, for some unknown reason, the plastics have not become brittle, with age. Every older Dometic I have ever looked at sufferers from this condition.LarryLooks like my options are somewhere between slim and none?Is Norcold a potential possibility?
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #12 – December 31, 2017, 02:26:11 pm Quote from: tedeboy - December 31, 2017, 02:04:01 pmThank you.My refrig struggles in warm weather. I have an internal circulation fan and that helps but the overall temp rises sometimes into the low 50's on a hot day even when the exterior is shaded.Replacing the cooling unit sounds intriguing. Is the refrigerator removed to accomplish this?Low 50s sounds much higher than would be tolerable even in desert conditions. It appears you are in CA - but what is a hot day? Even in around 100 degrees it should still keep the beer acceptably cold.With regard to the cooling unit - I'd suspect that if it truly had a leak and let out the ammonia, the fridge wouldn't cool very well at all under any conditions - so that may not be the diagnosis here. Here's a site with a good troubleshooting guide for Dometics. http://www.nationalserroscotty.org/resources/dometic-service-manual.pdf. Most of the tests are done with very basic tools, up to and including a multi-meter but most not requiring special tools.There should be a "service guide" or "installation guide" for your particular model out there on the interwebs. Are you familiar with the "inurl" search on Google? You can search for PDFs using : inurl:pdfThat way when you search for something on your Dometic - it will return results with PDF in the url. Be advised that there are many scam sites with results as well so tread carefully and keep virus protection up to date :-) 1 Likes
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #13 – December 31, 2017, 02:37:31 pm Quote from: tedeboy - December 31, 2017, 02:17:35 pmLooks like my options are somewhere between slim and none?Is Norcold a potential possibility?Not really, very few of us have three-way refrigerators and most don't feel much of a need for one.LD stopped using them around twenty years ago, all the later models come with 2-way models.The 12-volt versions use a lot of battery or alternator power and can lead to a dead battery if you forget to change over to 120-VAC or propane, once you stop driving.A quick look at Norcold show no models that will fit the opening, much less any three-way models.The existing, small, obsolete opening is the hang up.Larry
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #14 – December 31, 2017, 02:51:57 pm Quote from: Larry W - December 31, 2017, 02:37:31 pmNot really, very few of us have three-way refrigerators and most don't feel much of a need for one.LD stopped using them around twenty years ago, all the later models come with 2-way models.The 12-volt versions use a lot of battery or alternator power and can lead to a dead battery if you forget to change over to 120-VAC or propane, once you stop driving.A quick look at Norcold show no models that will fit the opening, much less any three-way models.The existing, small, obsolete opening is the hang up.LarryThanks.Yeah, I don't care about the 12v option now. Now the focus is on how I fix this one or replace it.
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #15 – December 31, 2017, 06:22:53 pm "Do refrigerators lose their ability over time? This one struggles in warmer weather at times."Ted, Does "at times", mean that sometimes it's fine in warmer weather, or only up to a point? If so, maybe something else is affecting performance. When it struggles, what are the temperatures inside and outside the coach? Are the gaskets good around the doors? High altitude, level? Does it work better when on electric rather than propane or the other way around? Does the temperature in the fridge improve overnight or when temperatures are more moderate? Whether its age alone is enough to condemn it, I defer to others more knowledgeable about longevity and reliability. If it is generally working, as Joan said, having a competent repairman (not always easy to find) give it a check out and perform normal maintenance procedures on it may be all that's needed to get a few more years out of it. 1 Likes
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #16 – December 31, 2017, 10:01:27 pm Quote from: krmugn - December 31, 2017, 06:22:53 pm"Do refrigerators lose their ability over time? This one struggles in warmer weather at times."Ted, Does "at times", mean that sometimes it's fine in warmer weather, or only up to a point? If so, maybe something else is affecting performance. When it struggles, what are the temperatures inside and outside the coach? Are the gaskets good around the doors? High altitude, level? Does it work better when on electric rather than propane or the other way around? Does the temperature in the fridge improve overnight or when temperatures are more moderate? Whether its age alone is enough to condemn it, I defer to others more knowledgeable about longevity and reliability. If it is generally working, as Joan said, having a competent repairman (not always easy to find) give it a check out and perform normal maintenance procedures on it may be all that's needed to get a few more years out of it. I need to keep better records.Good questions.I just know that when the weather warms up I get nervous . Seems no matter ac or propane.Thank you for the advice.
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #17 – January 01, 2018, 01:20:56 pm In 2016 I had issues keeping the lower unit cool enough even though the freezer worked quite well. I decided to replace the Thermistor with a new one. I clipped the wires to the old one in the refridgerator and attatched the new one. Problem solved! My unit worked well all summer with no issues! Worth a try for a very few dollars. Lots of these are on sale at various sites. I bought mine on eBay.
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #18 – January 01, 2018, 01:49:08 pm Quote from: Fred - January 01, 2018, 01:20:56 pmIn 2016 I had issues keeping the lower unit cool enough even though the freezer worked quite well. I decided to replace the Thermistor with a new one. I clipped the wires to the old one in the refridgerator and attatched the new one. Problem solved! My unit worked well all summer with no issues! Worth a try for a very few dollars. Lots of these are on sale at various sites. I bought mine on eBay.I'll look into that because the freezer works fine.Do you have the eBay link?Where is the thermistor located?Thanks
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #19 – January 01, 2018, 01:50:03 pm Quote from: tedeboy - December 31, 2017, 10:01:27 pmI just know that when the weather warms up I get nervous . Seems no matter ac or propane.We all have refrigerator worries in the summertime, the cooling capacity is only adequate in hot weather.Even with a near new refrigerator, ours was never too cold and was the reason why I have experimented with interior and exterior fans and even removing and reinstalling it, using Dometic's instructions for a 'recommended installation", something LD doesn't always closely follow in all models.Reinstalling refrigerator | FlickrThere are a few thing you can check, if keeping the old refrigerator is in the plans.Blow the flue and fins clean with compressed air. You can remove the inner baffle, from the chimney for cleaning but it is difficult to get to, requiring removing the roof vent cover and the screen under the cover. The baffle is then reach using a 3' heavy wire, with a 90 degree bend in the end, to hook the baffleRefrigerator baffle | FlickrDisassemble the burner assembly and clean it, including removing the jet and soaking it in solvent. Do not use any hard objects to clean the jet or force anything through it. I use an old toothbrush and compressed air.Check and set the propane pressure to 11-in/H2O, with the refrigerator and one other propane appliance on and burning.Low or restricted propane pressure produces too little heat to properly drive the system.Reinstalling refrigerator | FlickrWorking on propane systems can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. If you have any doubts, hire a pro.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #20 – January 01, 2018, 02:04:06 pm The Thermistor is in the plastic slider that slides up and down on the coolant fins towards the upper rear of the refridgerator. Sliding up sets a cooler temperature and sliding down a warmer temperature. I'll look for the link on eBay for your.
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #21 – January 01, 2018, 02:07:33 pm Try this link which was for the part on my 2003 RB you might need to search for a different part number:Dometic 3851210025 RV Refrigerator Thermister Replaced 2931863035 44" | eBay 1 Likes
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #22 – January 01, 2018, 02:11:03 pm Quote from: Fred - January 01, 2018, 02:07:33 pmTry this link which was for the part on my 2003 RB you might need to search for a different part number:Dometic 3851210025 RV Refrigerator Thermister Replaced 2931863035 44" | eBayThanks.I see it now.YouTube has good videos.
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #23 – January 01, 2018, 02:15:33 pm I see the slide; however, I don't see the thermistor or the wire leading to it! Did it fall to the bottom of the refridgerator which would be a signal for a warmer temperature? 1 Likes
Re: Old refrigerator questions Reply #24 – January 01, 2018, 02:19:31 pm Quote from: Fred - January 01, 2018, 02:15:33 pmI see the slide; however, I don't see the thermistor or the wire leading to it! Did it fall to the bottom of the refridgerator which would be a signal for a warmer temperature?It's in there.
Topic: Old refrigerator questions (Read 467 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: Old refrigerator questions (Read 467 times)
previous topic - next topic