OK, I got home after work yesterday and seen bright yellow liquid coming out of the outside refrig. cover. (ammonia) Question is can the tubes/coils be soldered or do I need to buy a new Refrig.
Brand: Dometic
Model# RM 3652
SN# 346 05217
You will be a lot better off buying a new cooling unit for your frig or a whole new unit. The problem you are having is nothing new to that model of Dometic frig there is a weak point just above the burner where the tubs are welded together. There is a recall but it's just a bandage to stop a fire if a leak happens when it's on gas.
Denny
__________________
2000 F350 Lariat SC DRW V10 4.30 Gears BrakeSmart
Air Lifts 4X2
2003 HH Premier 35 FKTG
BSEG started 4/15/2000
Avon Park Fl for the winter 09-10
I just e-mail Dometic to see if there is any type of recall or workmanship warr. possible.
I am Hoping for the best, but I think I already know the answer.
Cheapest rout would be a rebuilt cooling unit for your reefer. They aren't too hard to put in. Try a google search for your model, have seen some on ebay too.
Cheapest rout would be a rebuilt cooling unit for your reefer. They aren't too hard to put in. Try a google search for your model, have seen some on ebay too.
The only route is to replace it. They are not "rebuildable" by the average Joe. There is not only ammonia in it, it has to be ammonia (with a characteristic yellow dye) but it also has to be surrounded by a specific gas to make it have the evaporative properties it does. I think it's hydrogen gas (Think "HINDENBURG"), but it's been a while. So NO. You can't just solder it back together - that thing will never work again.
Replacing it is a chore!!! Step one is to shut off your LPG bottles. Be sure everything is disconnected in the exterior compartment (ELECTRICAL AND GAS). Locate the mounting screws and undo them. Even if there is room to do it in the trailer, you have to dismount the fridge and preferably lay it down in the trailer. There are a number of screws in the freezer compartment that have to come out also, before it is pulled out. There is Gods own FEDEX package full of styrofoam that will end up everywhere when you cut the cooling unit out of it - after that you need to pay complete attention to the details of installing the new one right. The GAS connection will have to be checked for leaks as well.
But it's still better than replacing the entire fridge outright!
Have you ever noticed that RV refrigerators are BIGGER THAN THE ENTRY DOOR?
Most reefers that get completely replaced are done by removing a large window and passing them out through THAT opening. I'm not kidding even a tiny bit...
All of the above is why a conventional refrigerator is a piece of cake compared to one of these.
If you can pull it off without scarring any woodwork you are a miracle man.
There are three appliances RV techs hate:
1) Washers
2) Driers
3) REFRIGERATORS!!!
Graywolf, Not trying to second guess you.
We are talking about buying a rebuilt cooling unit, not trying to repair the old one.
I have been looking via the internet and you can buy them from $400-650 which is alot less then a new frig. at $1150 (camper world on sale)
Graywolf, Not trying to second guess you.
We are talking about buying a rebuilt cooling unit, not trying to repair the old one.
I have been looking via the internet and you can buy them from $400-650 which is alot less then a new frig. at $1150 (camper world on sale)
I know exactly what you're talking about - I've done that job before. As I said - YOU DON'T want to replace the whole thing. Even as much trouble as it is, it still beats hoisting everything out through a window opening.
No matter what you do it will be a heck of a job!
Please don't take this wrong, but I'm glad I'm not you....
Sorry, I miss understood you and I thought replacing the tires this year was going to be my biggest expensive. I guess that is the price we for having fun.
Have you ever noticed that RV refrigerators are BIGGER THAN THE ENTRY DOOR?
Most reefers that get completely replaced are done by removing a large window and passing them out through THAT opening. I'm not kidding even a tiny bit...
All of the above is why a conventional refrigerator is a piece of cake compared to one of these.
If you can pull it off without scarring any woodwork you are a miracle man.
There are three appliances RV techs hate:
1) Washers
2) Driers
3) REFRIGERATORS!!!
I will second that. I was the new guy in the shop when working as a tech. I got to do ALL of the reefer swaps and re-cores. Had a big double unit in a Newmar that hadto go out through the windshield opening.
If it was me I would replace the just the cooling unit and I would do it right on the floor of the trailer, just put something down to protect the floor. I think that most refrigerators will go out the doors trailers but a lot of class A's are a different story.
Denny
__________________
2000 F350 Lariat SC DRW V10 4.30 Gears BrakeSmart
Air Lifts 4X2
2003 HH Premier 35 FKTG
BSEG started 4/15/2000
Avon Park Fl for the winter 09-10
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