reefer help for New Orleans refugee....

vbob · 09-06-2005, 07:30 PM

Well...I havent been on here in a year and a half. I just had to get the 84 classic out of storage for a refugee. The norcold reefer was turned on(with shore power) and after a few hours there was an amonia smell....strong...
we cut the reefer off. Now I'm wondering if the vent might be clogged with dirt daubbbers or something. Does anyone have an opinion on this??????

eternally grateful..ty..Vbob

overlander63 · 09-06-2005, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbob

The norcold reefer was turned on(with shore power) and after a few hours there was an amonia smell....strong...
we cut the reefer off. Now I'm wondering if the vent might be clogged with dirt daubbbers or something. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

Ammonia smell is not good, it usually indicates a leak in the system, as it is supposed to be sealed.

driftwood · 09-06-2005, 08:37 PM

Renew the coil and revive the old unit, then wait for another part of the system to fail ... or just go out & buy a new replacement & be done with it.

vbob · 09-06-2005, 10:50 PM

Norm.......do you mean buy a whole new refrigeration unit???????

wow.....we are talking big bucks here.......

I was hoping for a repair

C Johnson · 09-07-2005, 12:37 AM

The Amonia smell is a sign that the cooling unit is toast. There is a leak somewhere. Depending on the age and availability you can get a new cooling unit here . There isn't much else that can go wrong with it. The only other things that I know of that could cause you trouble down the road are the Gas system, electric system ( it sounds like that works fine ), and the 12 v system if so equipped.

Chris

roadeo · 09-07-2005, 06:45 AM

I assume the refugee is parked not traveling with your trailer.

Go and buy a small apartment sized 110 regular refer at Lowes etc. for about 200.00. Store the RV refer til you can get it in for a estimate.

Unless the refugee is one of the destitute poor maybe they can help pay for the refer. Not a bad investment for them in exchange for a place to stay.
I wonder how many Airstreams were sunk in the flood or mangled over in Mississippi?

driftwood · 09-07-2005, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Johnson

The Amonia smell is a sign that the cooling unit is toast. ... There isn't much else that can go wrong with it. The only other things that I know of that could cause you trouble down the road are the Gas system, electric system ( it sounds like that works fine ), and the 12 v system if so equipped.

Chris

Good call Chris! I like how you stated the other things that could go wrong with it ... gas system (electric activated solenoid), electric system (electronic controls ~ $ 200.00+) 12V system (no big deal) ... labor rate to replace each integral part of the system ?? $ 50-60+ / hour ??. Door gaskets ?? Burner assembly.

A fully functional reefer - Priceless!

It is possible to replace a cooling unit (coil) and maybe, just maybe you will get some more use out of the reefer. If no other parts of the system fail, and the coil is replaced properly.

If the originality of the unit is of no concern, and dependability is of a concern, then in the long haul a replacement reefer is the way to go.

I don't necessarily practice what I preach, in this case ... and I may still gamble with a couple hundred dollars when attempting to give new life to a near dead reefer ... although experience over time has groomed me to this avenue.

If I was on an 'Airstream Adventure', and had another failure, I assure you the value of an operating reefer would way out-weigh the value of $cash$ at that time.

The only stop-overs I prefer to make are the one's I choose for pleasure, not repairs on-the-road.

Now if VBob is near (no info in profile) one of the professional rebuilders such as RVMobile, some level of economy may be realized with a re-built unit.

Now, that's my story ... and I'm stick'n to it!

If you have no intention of camping, and your Airstream will be planted, then roadeo has the cheap-way-out for you.

vbob · 09-07-2005, 11:41 AM

okay here is my situation: I am in Jackson Mississippi. My friend will be living in the Baton Rouge area. I have been planning to sell my motor home for a year but havent gotten around to it. Now my friends will live in it untill they decide what they need to do. It might be a few months.....or it could be a little longer. I figure I need to fix the reefer before I sell the motorhome,but of course I dont need to spend more than absolutely neccessary.

I have no idea what I can expect to get for the motorhome when I sell it(84 310 clasic), but Im sure the $1100 I would have to pay for a new reefer could never be recouped.

does anyone know where these reefers can be rebuilt????? Washington state is definatly out of the question. I didnt know if I could put a rebuilt coil in myself. I guess the main question is how much having a faulty reefer would effect the selling price eventually....

the lowes reefer is definately a possibillity

**jcanavera** · 09-07-2005, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbob

I have no idea what I can expect to get for the motorhome when I sell it(84 310 clasic), but Im sure the $1100 I would have to pay for a new reefer could never be recouped.

does anyone know where these reefers can be rebuilt????? Washington state is definatly out of the question. I didnt know if I could put a rebuilt coil in myself. I guess the main question is how much having a faulty reefer would effect the selling price eventually....

the lowes reefer is definately a possibillity

Most RV repair shops can offer you the option of replacing the cooling unit which should be cheaper than replacing the entire refrigerator. BTW, you say you could never recoup the cost of the refrigerator but I beg to differ. I definately would take the cost of a replacement refrigerator off any offer I would be making to buy a used RV, that had a non functioning refrigerator.

Knowing that the unit is new would make it an easier sell to prospects since that's about the biggest expense, short of a motor or tranny replacement that you might have in a used motorhome.

Jack

overlander63 · 09-07-2005, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbob

I have no idea what I can expect to get for the motorhome when I sell it(84 310 clasic), but Im sure the $1100 I would have to pay for a new reefer could never be recouped.

While the cost of the fridge may or may not be recoverable, it will vastly add to the sellability of the rig if it has a fully functional, correct refrigerator in it. In other words, you may well be able to get closer to your asking price with one, without one, it is a reason to beat your price down far below the amount of a fridge (they may offer you $2000 less, rather than the 1100 a fridge would cost.)

Rog0525 · 09-07-2005, 07:35 PM

vbob, I have an LP only Dometic fridge in my parts bin. I think the model number is LM28. You can have it for the cost of crating and shipping. I have not personally tested it (sound like an eBay ad?) but it has permanent marker markings on the back which indicate that it has been previously repaired.
This is a small Domrtic fridge. There is no warranty expressed or implied. I would need $25 to prepare it for shipping but I will waive that for a victim of the Katrina tragedy if it will serve the purpose.