nayl
Waverly PA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/24/2004
View Profile
|
Single door 4 cu ft Dometic refrigerator not cooling.
We are traveling and have developed a problem with our refrigerator. Problem started with refrigerator not cooling when switched to electric mode. Worked fine when running with propane. Everything was keeping nice and cold, able to make ice cubes in freezer compartment.
Stopped at an RV service facility and had it looked at my mechanic. He stated that he thought it was my electric heating element. They didn't have this part in stock and as we were traveling suggested an alternate facility a few hundred miles distance.
We continued our journey and during the day noticed that the refrigerator compartment was getting noticably warmer. Checked to make sure there was propane and the burner was running (these were both ok).
Stopped for the night and by morning the refrigerator compartment was warm and the freezer was barely cold.
There was no smell of ammonia and no yellow staining on the refrigerator walls.
Took it into an RV dealer/repair facility and was told that the technician smelled ammonia and that the condenser needed to be replaced. Does this sound right?
Price for parts and labor almost $500 plus the cost of diagnostic service. Should I repair it or purchase new. Trailer was purchased new in 2003.
Thanks for any advice.
|
jetcare
RV Repairman - Mission, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 05/02/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
If the technician smelled ammonia, then the cooling unit is bad. You don't have a condenser. The $500 price is very reasonable. I would also ask for a price for a new refrigerator that comes with a new warranty.
Matt
|
skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
Senior Member
Joined: 12/17/2003
View Profile
|
No condenser on an RV fridge. don't let him charge you for one but you do need a new cooling unit. Good luck /Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
|
nayl
Waverly PA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/24/2004
View Profile
|
My mistake, I need a new cooling unit. New quote: part $471, shipping $125, and installation $445. I'm going new, but they don'e make an exact size replacement. The closest size match is narrower and an inch taller. Unfortunately my refrigerator is contained within a built in cabinet. I may have to go with a smaller model.
|
pinesman
virginia
Senior Member
Joined: 08/21/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Norcold might have one that fits
|
|
|
TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
Senior Member
Joined: 11/17/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
jetcare wrote: You don't have a condenser. The $500 price is very reasonable.
Matt
Not correct. See here---RV Frig--there is a Condenser, other wise there is not way to condense the ammonia.
Ken
Amateur Radio Operator.
Vintage 1989 Avion Silver, 34V, toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with one miniature Schnauzers, one standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
|
Rob's
Home
Senior Member
Joined: 12/28/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
It sounds like the cooling unit to me.
Rob
RV Tech
|
dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Single door Dometic, I would probably buy a new one rather than repair. The internet shows one for about $800. So for about $200 more you get a new refer with a warranty. Doug
|
jetcare
RV Repairman - Mission, TX
Senior Member
Joined: 05/02/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
TXiceman wrote:jetcare wrote: You don't have a condenser. The $500 price is very reasonable.
Matt
Not correct. See here--- RV Frig--there is a Condenser, other wise there is not way to condense the ammonia.
Ken
Ken,
Thanks for pointing out something that is just going to confuse lots of people. You and I plus four other people on this forum know about the condenser you refer to, but:
everyone one else only needs to know that the RV refrigerator has a sealed cooling unit with no repairable parts.
Matt
|
dougrainer
Carrolton, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
jetcare wrote:If the technician smelled ammonia, then the cooling unit is bad. You don't have a condenser. The $500 price is very reasonable. I would also ask for a price for a new refrigerator that comes with a new warranty.
Matt
I don't see how it will confuse people. YOU are confusing people. They ALL have Condensors and Evaporators.
My take was, the OP was thinking he had a Compressor and you did not correct him.
A LOT of RV'ers think they have a Compressor on a RV absorbsion refer.
It is in the BEST interest for people to understand the RV CU, as if the condensor gets debris or animal nests in it, the refer will not function correctly and if they do not know this, they cannot clean or get the problem fixed.
Last, I EXPECT better, more accurate postings from people that are "supposed" professional Techs.
This is what you just posted
"Thanks for pointing out something that is just going to confuse lots of people. You and I plus four other people on this forum know about the condenser you refer to, but":
This is what you posted before you were "corrected".
"You don't have a condenser".
THAT is confusing people. Doug
|
|
|
