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02-09-2018, 07:05 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member 
1966 26' Overlander
2012 28' Flying Cloud
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 150
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My fridge is shot
My 52 year old Dometic is on its last leg. No matter how hard I’ve tried I can’t find a direct replacement. Everything that I’ve found is either a severe reduction in size or will require a total remodel. Any thoughts would be really appreciated.
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02-09-2018, 08:08 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master 
1994 30' Excella
Mississauga
, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,244
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Are you happy with the appearance etc. of the existing fridge? If so, look to see if you can get a replacement coil for the unit. I did that with my unit and am happy with the result. Check out rv Cooling Unit Warehouse.
Al
__________________
Al and Jean
TAC ON-3
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02-09-2018, 08:09 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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What year and model airstream? Next what are the dimensions of the opening? I've half ignored talk about a new type of non-ammonia refrigerator that is being used in high end mohos. Perhaps going outside the box will help.
Get a cheap dorm fridge and a Yeti cooler in the interim
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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02-09-2018, 08:42 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
1966 26' Overlander
2012 28' Flying Cloud
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAl
Are you happy with the appearance etc. of the existing fridge? If so, look to see if you can get a replacement coil for the unit. I did that with my unit and am happy with the result. Check out rv Cooling Unit Warehouse.
Al
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Actually i really like the appearance and performance of our old unit. It just isn’t holding its temp setting well. Goes from warm to freezing everything. I hadn’t thought of replacing the coil. Continuing with a 2way is important since we boondock with some regularity.
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02-09-2018, 08:45 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1966 26' Overlander
2012 28' Flying Cloud
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foiled Again
What year and model airstream? Next what are the dimensions of the opening? I've half ignored talk about a new type of non-ammonia refrigerator that is being used in high end mohos. Perhaps going outside the box will help.
Get a cheap dorm fridge and a Yeti cooler in the interim
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It’s a 66 Overlander. The opening is 41h x 22.5 w x 26 d.
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02-09-2018, 10:00 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,226
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckZ
It’s a 66 Overlander. The opening is 41h x 22.5 w x 26 d.
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I replaced the fridge in my 66 Tradewind with an exact replacement from Dometic. It is not an easy job though. I will get the model # tomorrow.
Dan
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02-10-2018, 08:06 AM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
1966 26' Overlander
2012 28' Flying Cloud
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbdo
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Thanks
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02-10-2018, 08:07 AM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1966 26' Overlander
2012 28' Flying Cloud
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TouringDan
I replaced the fridge in my 66 Tradewind with an exact replacement from Dometic. It is not an easy job though. I will get the model # tomorrow.
Dan
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That information would be great. I have looked on their website but didn't see anything that would fit
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02-10-2018, 08:08 AM
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#10
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3 Rivet Member
1966 26' Overlander
2012 28' Flying Cloud
Waukesha
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bbdo
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Really interesting. Confusing for an accountant (me) but interesting.
Chuck
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02-10-2018, 09:06 AM
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#11
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Rivets?
1992 29' Excella
2010 22' Interstate
Van By The River
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,363
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Here's another option for a replacement coil. These are said to the be the actual Amish manufacturers that many have referred to in other threads. I met the owner at the Florida RV show and he seemed genuinely interesting in helping people solve their problems with old refrigerators.
http://jc-refrigeration.com/
The owner indicated he can make replacement coils for units that are not commonly available from other sources. Doesn't hurt to give them a call.
on edit: Looks like you're only 4 hours or so from JC Refrigeration - they're located in Shipshewana, IN. They have courtesy parking and will allow you to install the new coil yourself at their site or they can install it for you.
__________________
Lucius and Danielle
1992 29' Excella Classic / 2010 Interstate
2005 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 8.1L
2018 GMC Sierra K1500 SLT, 6.2L, Max Trailering
Got a cooped-up feeling, gotta get out of town, got those Airstream campin' blues...
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02-10-2018, 09:25 AM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member 
1969 23' Safari
Mohnton
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 44
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The fact that the fridge freezes is telling me it isnt low on refrigerant. Just a wide swing in temps. I would try replacing the thermostat that controls the temps. Do you have pics of your fridge.
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02-10-2018, 09:35 AM
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#13
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Rivets?
1992 29' Excella
2010 22' Interstate
Van By The River
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,363
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 69bullet
The fact that the fridge freezes is telling me it isnt low on refrigerant. Just a wide swing in temps. I would try replacing the thermostat that controls the temps. Do you have pics of your fridge.
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That's a good point regarding the "controls." This unit is old enough that it probably doesn't have a circuit board but it does have some sort of thermocouple, switch, bi-metallic thermostat or similar features. Pictures, model number, etc. would be helpful and find a good, old-fashioned RV sales/service dealer that takes time to work on older units and may even have parts in stock.
__________________
Lucius and Danielle
1992 29' Excella Classic / 2010 Interstate
2005 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 8.1L
2018 GMC Sierra K1500 SLT, 6.2L, Max Trailering
Got a cooped-up feeling, gotta get out of town, got those Airstream campin' blues...
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02-10-2018, 10:24 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2012 23' FB International
Woodstock
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,427
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I think older fridges run on high flame ffor cool then drop back to low flame. You didn't say if it happens on both gas and electric.
Sounds like a control problem to me.
It is possible to have the cooling unit refurbished... you just need to find the right shop. For newer units they usually already have a rebuilt one on hand and then they fix yours for the next guy
JCW
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02-10-2018, 10:40 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2018 33' Classic
Medway
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nvestysly
That's a good point regarding the "controls." This unit is old enough that it probably doesn't have a circuit board but it does have some sort of thermocouple, switch, bi-metallic thermostat or similar features. Pictures, model number, etc. would be helpful and find a good, old-fashioned RV sales/service dealer that takes time to work on older units and may even have parts in stock.
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Judging by your description it sounds like the 'mechanics' of the unit is fine and I would guess so is the control board. What the board is not getting is reliable info re internal temperatures. So whether it is a separate thermocouple or a thermostat, that is what I would check or replace first, especially since they are comparably cheap and easy to replace. Good luck!
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02-10-2018, 03:49 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,226
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckZ
That information would be great. I have looked on their website but didn't see anything that would fit
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Here are the dimensions of the Dometic Refrigerators.
Dan 
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02-10-2018, 04:02 PM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
1975 31' Sovereign
West Liberty
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 93
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One of our members who owns a 1968 AS had the company in Shipshewana, Ind. rebuild the original refrigerator in their unit and was very satisfied with the results.
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02-10-2018, 04:10 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,806
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The original model in the 1966 Overlander was a "M-52".
Great unit, if you find someone that will do a rebuild, please let the world know!!!
Enjoy,
__________________
Paul Waddell
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02-10-2018, 04:16 PM
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#19
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Airboat
1985 29' Sovereign
Rome City
, Indiana
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 5
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This is the guy that rebuilt my 1985 frigid and it has worked great.
National RV Refrigerator
5660 N St Road 5
Shipshewana IN
260-768-7059
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02-10-2018, 09:42 PM
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#20
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:SPACE A" S/O 11 Air19745
2006 34' Classic S/O
Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,766
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I had "Wick" of the following to replace my cooling unit of his design using all new tubing, i.e., no repaired parts. I am really pleased and the cost was $675 including removal and installation. When I asked if he had many comebacks, he said none in twenty years. He will receive and ship UPS and I imagine FEDEX.
(501) 679-2537
RVCOOL RV Refrigeration
22 years in business
60 Highway 287
Greenbrier, AR 72058-9676
gu
skim
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