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Topic: Dometic Refrigerator Manual Now Dometic Replacement (Read 7 times) previous topic - next topic
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Dometic Refrigerator Manual Now Dometic Replacement
Yahoo Message Number: 136159
Steve, Thank you for posting the link to the manual.
 My understanding is the Dometic Fridge is a poorly designed unit. Mine has been replaced under warranty and is operating fine but I know it will die eventually. Is there a better quality unit available that will fit in the standard opening? I have a 01 23.5 TK with the RM3662 model.

Thanks, Bob
Re: Dometic Refrigerator Manual Now Dometic Replacement
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136160
Quote

"My understanding is the Dometic Fridge is a poorly designed unit."

Thanks, Bob
Well Bob that might be true, however my experience would say otherwise. I had a 1994 Holiday Rambler TT which had a Dometic. I used it for ten years without a problem. Then, in 2004, I took delivery of my 30'IB LD. It also has a Dometic. I've used it now for eight years without a single problem. It's in the recall series but I've never had the work done. So, poorly designed they might be but they seem to work, at least for me.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Dometic Refrigerator Manual Now Dometic Replacement
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136161
This is a good thing. I hope mine last as long. I can think of 999 things I would rather spend money on than replacing Fridge!
Re: Dometic Refrigerator Manual Now Dometic Replacement
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136168
"My understanding is the Dometic Fridge is a poorly designed unit."
 IMHO neither Dometic or Norcold delivers a high quality product in the size appropriate for an LD.
 I have a 2005 MB that came new with a Dometic RM2662 installed.  In 2008 (?) Dometic did a recall for "possible leak of coolant causing a fire hazard." I suspect that your refrig was subject to the recall.
 Dometic's solution to the problem was to install a "kit" that would prevent the fire or at least minimize damage.  Much discussion of the recall on this forum.  Many people indicated that the "Dometic techs" were reluctant to let them see the kit installation or to discuss the problem.  I had my kit installed by a small shop, Dometic authorized, in Traverse City, MI and the tech insisted that I watch the installation.  He gave me a blow-by-blow description of what he was doing and explained in detail how the kit was "supposed" to work.
 This tech had been in the RV repair business for 30 years so I asked him the "Dometic versus Norcold" question and got a very long and detailed answer.
To summarize what he told me:

1.  The basic design of the my Dometic refrigerator and an equivalent  Norcold are identical.  There are some minor "mechanical implementation"  differences and they have slightly different controls.

2.  The design has been around for many, many years and but has not changed  significantly.  He could not remember for sure, but he thought that both  refrigerators were designed by the same person and that person didn't work  for either Dometic or Norcold.

3.  If you take the covers and name plates off equivalent Dometic and  Norcold refrigerators, even many RV techs cannot tell you which is which.
 To prove his point he showed me a couple.  You could see some differences in  parts positioning, etc. but the nature and size of the parts in the two  units showed few differences.

4.  The primary difference is in the companies, not in their  products.  The
 Norcold products had the same "coolant leakage-fire hazard" problem and Norcold issued a recall.  However, Norcold's solution to the problem was to replace the complete cooling unit, not just try some "fix."  His opinion of the Dometic problem solution was that it was purely CYA.

Two years later (summer 2010) my Dometic developed a coolant leak; fortunately not enough create a fire and test the viability of the Dometic problem fix.  I had the refrigerator replaced.  Unfortunately I was  on the road and had to settle for another Dometic.  This one is labeled Model DM2662.  The physical appearance and structure are the same as the old RM2662, however, this one has the "problem fix kit" built in.
 There is, however, a significant difference in the old RM2662 and the 5-year newer DM2662; the newer unit is not as physically robust as the old unit.
The newer unit has been "value engineered."  The door handles, latches, hinges, shelves, door pockets, etc. are not as strong as the old one.
 I had an old Dometic in my truck camper that ran for years and years.  Also have a friend with an 18-year old fifth wheel that has its original Norcold still alive and well.  IMHO buying any product today should be subject to the warning provided to purchasers of mutual funds:  "Past performance should not be used as an indication of the future performance."

Doug

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Re: Dometic Refrigerator Manual Now Dometic Replacement
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 136171
For me the Dometic brand has been a bit of an irritant over my RV years.  Last RM 2662 needed a couple of electodes