Dometic Refrigerator Installation

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Dometic Refrigerator Installation

December 10, 2020, 02:03:55 pm

Yep, the nearly ten-year-old (original) Dometic DM 2662 is leaking ammonia. Bummer.

We had hoped to take the easy route and hire the mothership to replace it, but Todd told us that they aren't doing that kind of service during the pandemic. Hmm.

Sue's done a lot of research on this site and others regarding the removal/installation procedure. We understand about getting the old unit out and the new unit in through the dinette window. That sounds like fun. And to use heavy pads to protect the coach and the fridge. We know to improve the surrounding insulation during the change out. And we know to save the existing panels and inside components for reuse.

What other details should we know about?

Oh, we're replacing the 2662 with a 2672. Yes, we know the controls are now (in)conveniently hidden behind the freezer door. Both models (and several other Dometic models) are in short supply at the moment. It will be several weeks before our replacement arrives.

Thanks for your help.

Jim and Sue

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #1 – December 10, 2020, 02:28:54 pm

Check out Larry Wade's helpful photos (and text) for ideas:

Reinstalling refrigerator | Flickr

Specifically, consider building a small stand to help with removal/replacement and consider beefing up the surrounding insulation while the fridge is out.

Getting it through the window seems to be a matter of manpower and patience.

Rich

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #2 – December 10, 2020, 05:26:23 pm

Removing the old old refrigerator involves removing four screws, disconnecting the 12-volt wires and the propane line.
Replacing is just the opposite. It isn't hard with two resonably strong people, needed to lift it out and back in through the window.

Larry

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #3 – December 10, 2020, 05:49:15 pm

Thank you Rich and Larry.

It's great to know that there are no real issues.

Now, we simply have to wait a month for the refrigerator to arrive.

Sue and Jim

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #4 – December 19, 2020, 07:46:28 pm

Remarkably, the new fridge arrived yesterday, so the replacement project has commenced.

Perhaps those who have wrestled with refrigerators have some thoughts on two ideas.

1. It seems to us like a good idea to test the new unit on the ground before going to the effort of passing it through the window and hooking it up. Is there any reason not to do so? The test would be AC only, plus the needed 12v to the controller.

2. We have been carrying a Dinosaur 3850712-01 replacement board as a backup. It has never been used. Assuming that it is still the correct board for the DM 2672 (something we need to verify; maybe a call to Dinosaur), is it a good or bad idea to swap it in right off the top, in place of the stock Dometic board? It would be much easier to put it in place now than after it's in the tight space that will soon be its home.

Many thanks in advance.

Jim

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #5 – December 20, 2020, 12:14:35 am

Quote from: CBSShermans - December 19, 2020, 07:46:28 pm

1. It seems to us like a good idea to test the new unit on the ground before going to the effort of passing it through the window and hooking it up. Is there any reason not to do so? The test would be AC only, plus the needed 12v to the controller.

2. We have been carrying a Dinosaur 3850712-01 replacement board as a backup. It has never been used. Assuming that it is still the correct board for the DM 2672 (something we need to verify; maybe a call to Dinosaur), is it a good or bad idea to swap it in right off the top, in place of the stock Dometic board? It would be much easier to put it in place now than after it's in the tight space that will soon be its home.

It cost you nothing to try running the refrigerator before installing, if hooking up the electrical isn't hard for you to do.
If you have a Dino board, I would install it, after the initial testing, and keep the new, Dometic board as a spare.
Strip out the removable interior plastic trays and shelf clips to keep as spares, the newer parts are thinner than the old.

Larry

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #6 – December 20, 2020, 10:13:35 am

Thanks, Larry. We very much appreciate your input.

Jim

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #7 – December 20, 2020, 10:21:25 am

This chart from Dinosaur Electronics may be useful to select the correct replacement board for the DM 2672 (if the board on hand is not the correct one):

http://www.dinosaurelectronics.com/Dom_Chart.htm

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #8 – December 20, 2020, 01:12:42 pm

Quote from: Joan - December 20, 2020, 10:21:25 am

This chart from Dinosaur Electronics may be useful to select the correct replacement board for the DM 2672 (if the board on hand is not the correct one):
http://www.dinosaurelectronics.com/Dom_Chart.htm

Searching, I cannot find which control board a Dometic DM2672 uses and cannot say if the existing Dinosaur 3850712-01 board is the correct replacement. The Dometic part number should be printed on the new refrigerator's board, use the link Joan provided to cross-reference the Dino board to see if it can be used.

Larry

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #9 – December 20, 2020, 07:56:05 pm

That is certainly what we have found Larry... that Dinosaur Electronics does not list our new refrigerator.

I have found the model/manufacturer number for our new Dometic control board: 3316348.900

We will call Dinosaur Electronics tomorrow and see what they say.

Right now, we are testing the new fridge on the floor of the coach... we seem to be cooling. That is good news as are the facts that the old fridge exited the window and the new fridge entered without incident

Sue

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #10 – December 20, 2020, 08:17:30 pm

Did you remove the window yourself? If so, how difficult was it?

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #11 – December 20, 2020, 08:44:13 pm

Quote from: HiLola - December 20, 2020, 08:17:30 pm

Did you remove the window yourself? If so, how difficult was it?

The 31' has an emergency exit which allows furniture and appliance installs. 27 may also be configured. Look for a couple of red latches and a label 'emergency exit'.

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #12 – December 20, 2020, 09:31:35 pm

"Did you remove the window yourself? If so, how difficult was it?"

No need to 'remove' a window, the fridge measures at cross section 24x24". On my 30' Vince and one helper slid open and removed the screen on the dinette window right behind the driver's seat. Slick fit, no sweat!

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #13 – December 20, 2020, 10:18:16 pm

As Steve asserted, we didn't have to take the window out Greg. We did, however, have to remove the valance and the pleated shade for the dinette window to allow adequate space for refrigerator egress and ingress.

The exterior dimensions of the DM2662 (old) are: 54 21/32" x 24 7/8" x 26 1/32" (h x w x d)
The exterior dimensions of the DM2672 (new) are: 54 21/32" x 24 7/8" x 26" (h x w x d)

We took the doors off of the old refrigerator to lighten the load and then slid the refrigerator out the opened window on its face (nothing to snag there).

Jim took the handles off of the new refrigerator so that we could basically do the same thing. We simply had to lift the fridge when we reached the hinges.

The photo shows the removal of the old fridge and how we protected the window frame.

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #14 – December 20, 2020, 10:48:46 pm

Have you considered replacing the cooling unit on your current fridg? Had that done on my last RV and was much cheaper.

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #15 – December 20, 2020, 11:30:46 pm

Yes, we looked at replacing the cooling unit. The cost of a new cooling unit is certainly less than the cost of a new fridge.

Given that we were not willing to replace the cooling unit ourselves, the cost was going to be more if we took the replacement route. I believe the delta was about $150 more. Seemed silly to spend more to replace parts in an old fridge than to get a new unit.

Another factor was that the trustworthy shops we spoke with were scheduling in February. We didn't want to wait that long.

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #16 – December 21, 2020, 11:55:06 am

I just got off the phone with Dinosaur Electronics. They do not make a replacement board for our control board (3316348.xxx).

We now have a new, unused, but opened, Dinosaur 3852712.01. Sigh.

Sue

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #17 – December 21, 2020, 01:50:27 pm

I replaced the refer on my 03 Foretravel withe a small residential one. It was nearly a drop in, gave cold beer & frozen ice cream. That’s what my new old 96 will get if needed.

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #18 – December 21, 2020, 03:45:05 pm

Yes, changing the cooling unit in your LD refrigerator is less expensive.

If you can find all of the the correct parts for your unit. ALL of them.
If you can find a competent mechanic/installer who will operator with a great deal of care on your LD as if he/she were operating on their human child.

Our 2010 factory refrigerator lost all its gas with a leak, and after considering all the downside to repair - we chose the new replacement route. Consider this decision neither right nor wrong - just our choice.

When we contemplated having the repair work done, the cooling unit parts were scarce/unavailable/pricey.

And you know what - I really did not want to go through all of this commotion for a refrigerator that was 10+ years old.

It is/was our decision to go new, and after installing the new refrigerator we never looked back.

IMO it really is a better unit that the original. A functioning refrigerator is a go/no go item for us.

(The Dometic replaced was the newest version) has thermostat controls inside the upper freezer door. No issue.

Just a thought from someone who just had this nightmare. Best regards whatever course you choose.

Most respectfully,

Tony R. (aka codefour)

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #19 – December 21, 2020, 09:52:30 pm

Another thought in replacing your refrig: save the drawers and shelving units that fit, if in reasonable shape. The new ones are more flimsy, and may not be as enduring.

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #20 – December 22, 2020, 09:57:57 am

Tony, we are in agreement.

Wendy, (and earlier in the stream, Larry), we are cannibalizing the old refrigerator and will have spare parts.

Our refrigerator test was successful. We ran out yesterday and got replacement panels for the doors (new slide-in panels are a bit wider). We will complete the install very soon (timing depends of whether or not I can lift the refrigerator with Jim... we may need to borrow the muscle of our son again).

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #21 – December 26, 2020, 01:46:05 pm

We’d like to pass along a few details of our experience replacing the refrigerator.

(The project is done; the freezer is at zero; the fridge section keeps dipping below 32; we're still tuning the setting.)

When the fridge arrived from the shipper the palette was an abomination and much of the Styrofoam padding was shattered, but after an exhaustive inspection we didn’t find any damage! It was as if the mess was just a mean tease.

The DM 2672 is almost, but not quite a 100% compatible drop-in for the original DM 2662. It’s relatively minor, but the door panels on the new fridge are larger, so we could not reuse the LD-made panels. When we discovered the problem, we bought the standard Dometic black acrylic panels only to discover that the lower panel (for the refrigerator section) was too tall. We cut it down on a table saw.

Also, the new unit came without the exterior cooling fan on the back. After studying the schematic, we removed the fan from the old unit and installed it on the new, adding reinforcement where the fan is mounted.

Although both the old and new refrigerators are designed to be held in place with four screws in the front frame (two top, two bottom), and two screws through the bottom rails at the back, LD added five more screws through the front frame, drilling holes through the fridge frame where necessary. Attempting to remove the fridge without removing those extra screws is impossible.

Bowing to the uncontested expertise of the Mothership, we added the extra fasteners to the new unit.

Removing the machine screws in the bottom rails required removing gobs of polyurethane caulk. How the factory loves their caulk.

Getting the old fridge out and the new one in through the dinette window was easier than expected. We took down the valance and blinds, slid the window all the way open, padded the sill with an old rug and taped cardboard to the glass and aluminum frame. (See photo.) Also, the refrigerators are not as heavy as expected. We stripped everything we could from the old unit, including the doors, and passed the old and new units through the window on their front face. (We took the door handles off the new unit.) We also got extra muscle from our son.

The existing insulation was actually pretty good. We added a new piece where there was none above the fridge and added a piece of sheet metal over the insulation at the top of the flue, and then metal taped all the seams. (See photos.)

We tested the new unit on the floor of the coach. A 12v lawn tractor battery provided the low voltage. Only the A/C function was tested. It was worth the effort.

Sliding the new fridge in place we discovered:

1. The bottom rails were slightly bent, but nothing the anchor screws couldn’t handle.

2. One of the holes for the rail fasteners did not line up with the existing hole in the floor. A Dremel was used to grind a new hole in the rail.

3. The propane line was 3/8 inch away from the fridge hookup. Removing the gobs of polyurethane caulk where the propane line comes into the housing revealed a large grommet that gave the line plenty of play to hook up to the refrigerator. (See photo.)

The original drain hose was ½” ID clear vinyl, covered in black flex tubing. It was cut leaving plenty of length for splicing to the new drain hose, which is black flex tubing. (See photo.)

Finally, it’s worth noting that none of the removable interior freezer components are compatible with the new fridge, but all of the interior refrigerator components are compatible.

Jim and Sue

Re: Soliciting DIY refrigerator replacement advice

Reply #22 – December 26, 2020, 02:19:14 pm

Comprehensive report; well done!

Re: Dometic Refrigerator Installation

Reply #23 – December 26, 2020, 03:07:14 pm

Quote from: Joan - December 26, 2020, 02:19:14 pm

Comprehensive report; well done!

Ditto! I changed the subject line to make this excellent report more searchable.

Chris

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