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Topic: Anyone change out their cooling unit in a Dometic RM763 (in 80's LD) (Read 6 times) previous topic - next topic
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Anyone change out their cooling unit in a Dometic RM763 (in 80's LD)
Yahoo Message Number: 126972
It's starting to look like our cooling unit is failing.. I've not done all of the various tests but the freezer works great and the fridge works mediocre at best when on MAX cold.  From doing some reading this seems to imply that it's got some crystals floating around that are clogging the bottom part of the mechanism causing it to not cool in the fridge area..

While I can put in a remanufactured cooling unit, I've read a few comments saying that it'll never work like a 'new' fridge..

Has anyone done this and been happy with the results?  If so, care to tell what vendor did the rebuild?  How long has it been since the rebuild?  Thx!

P.S. I gather from reading the archives that I can pop-in an RM2620 Dometic to replace the original with only a little wood shaving to get it to fit in.. If the rebuilt will work to about 95% of the old fridge I'd be tempted to go that route instead of buying a new fridge (more $$) and still have to remove a window to swap them -- comments on this direction?

Thx as usual!
Re: Anyone change out their cooling unit in a Dometic RM763 (in 80's
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 126974
Quote
It's starting to look like our cooling unit is failing.. I've not done all of the various tests but the freezer works great and the fridge works mediocre at best when on MAX cold.
Ours is a lot newer but had similar symptoms.  Try cleaning the gas jet with alcohol (I used gin; maybe vodka even better).  I got pretty good improvement, but yet to test in *hot* weather.

John
Re: Anyone change out their cooling unit in a Dometic RM763 (in 80's
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 126981
Rick, I mentioned to you that I had helped a friend replace his years back.  He had no complaints of how it worked afterwards.  Did it work as new?  I am not sure.
 We have the 2620 in our 85.  Looks like the PO did not trim or did a poor job since the wood bulges out on the sides a little. Keep in mind the 2620 is 2 way..AC/Propane.  You lose the 12 volt function.  Have you testes the refer on AC or 12 volt to see if there is any difference?
 Have you checked Craigslist or other classifieds, perhaps even RV salvage yards to see if there are any newer units for sale?

Ramon
Re: Anyone change out their cooling unit in a Dometic RM763 (in 80's
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 126984
"It's starting to look like our cooling unit is failing..

Rick
 Many years ago, just after we bought our '83 LD, the refrigerator failed on its first big trip, up in Washington's San Juan Islands.
Everything checked out, it had a  good gas supply and flame so I resorted to an tip I had heard about rolling the refrigerator around to remix the various chemicals and to break up the crystals.
Sounds weird but the wife and I remove the refrigerator and rolled it around the interior several times before reinstalling it.
Believe it or not, it started up, saving an early trip back to the mainland, and worked for almost eight years before the dreaded ammonia smell, occurred, just a month before selling it.

It's worth a try.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Anyone change out their cooling unit in a Dometic RM763 (in 80's
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 126986
Quote
On Nov 29, 2011, at 9:35 PM, "Ramon P"  wrote:
 "I mentioned to you that I had helped a friend replace his years back. He had no complaints of how it worked afterwards. Did it work as new? I am not sure."

Ahh.. I forgot that you had mentioned that..
 "We have the 2620 in our 85. Looks like the PO did not trim or did a poor job since the wood bulges out on the sides a little. Keep in mind the 2620 is 2 way..AC/Propane. You lose the 12 volt function. Have you testes the refer on AC or 12 volt to see if there is any difference?"
 I thought the 2620 was also 12V -- perhaps I was thinking about one of the other Dometics I was looking at.. I did test on both 12V, AC and propane and notice no obvious difference between them.
 "Have you checked Craigslist or other classifieds, perhaps even RV salvage yards to see if there are any newer units for sale?"
 Yes, I'm actively keeping an eye open for one -- although I guess I'm still leaning towards a replacement cooling unit at this point -- I've heard good things from the Amish built cooling units which are brand-new and not rebuilds and claim to be made of heavier tubing..

Thx!
 
Re: Anyone change out their cooling unit in a Dometic RM763 (in 80's
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 126990
I'd also heard that you can try to turn it upside down and it might help -- the price is right so I can certainly give it a try..