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07-07-2003, 03:30 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 153
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Dead Fridge? What to do?
Have Dometic RM3506 with strong amonia smell...no work.
What is answer, replace cooling unit or fridge??? Source??
Thanks in advance.
__________________
George Jr.
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07-07-2003, 03:34 PM
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#2
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Just a member
1978 28' Argosy 28
Lutz
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,549
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Here is a link
They can be repaired at a lower cost than new, it is just finding a place that has the jig and cooling unit for your model.
If you do a search on www.google.com you will find some places that sell reconditioned units complete and other that sell cooling units.
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
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1978 Argosy 28 foot Motorhome
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
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07-07-2003, 03:35 PM
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#3
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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DITTO!!
I was just going to post that very question. We just got back from a week long trip and my dad's SOB has a 20 year old Dometic. Worked great all week, got home and within minutes of parking and taking the food out, a strong ammonia smell filled the inside of the unit.
Is it fixable or is it just less exp to replace.
Eric
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07-07-2003, 03:38 PM
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#4
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Thanks Brett. That is the million dollar question. Where and who...
The unit my dad has is a single door and ironically, the replacement unit that Dometic suggests is the same unit found in my '03 Bambi...really.
The cost is about $800 new, but the spec sizes seem a bit different than the old 20 year old unit.
Anyway, I'll do a search and see what I find.
Eric
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07-07-2003, 03:47 PM
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#5
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Just a member
1978 28' Argosy 28
Lutz
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,549
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It is sad that most of the older units are not repairable. I had a M52 that was in the 65 Safari that was dead and I could not find any place to repair it.
We have a rm-100 in one of the motorhomes and stopped at CW to get parts. The guy behind the counter was shocked that a 25 year old unit was still operational. Needless to say they had no parts.
Good luck!
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
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1978 Argosy 28 foot Motorhome
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
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07-07-2003, 03:49 PM
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#6
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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BTW, I just took a look at the link and they make no mention of a repair or replace of the inside cooling parts. Most seems to talk about the outside coils. Are the outside and inside coils sold as one unit?
Are these things NASTY when they go south!
Eric
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07-07-2003, 03:52 PM
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#7
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Just an old timer...
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,759
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NASTY in CAPITAL LETTERS!!!!
Quote:
Originally posted by Silvertwinkie
BTW, I just took a look at the link and they make no mention of a repair or replace of the inside cooling parts. Most seems to talk about the outside coils. Are the outside and inside coils sold as one unit?
Are these things NASTY when they go south!
Eric
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Yes, Eric. They are NASTY. Get a MSDS on ammonia. DON'T breath it. DON'T let it get on your skin.
Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
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07-07-2003, 04:01 PM
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#8
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Just a member
1978 28' Argosy 28
Lutz
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,549
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The things you learn when trying to figure this out.........
The inner and outer unit is one peice. The whole back of the freezer compartment, or the freezer box comes out. There is a thermal mastic that conducts the cold /heat and this is attached to a plate of some type depending on the model.
The refer must be completly removed, dissassembled, and then the new unit can be installed. Messy job, but if you can cut your repair costs by half............
No savings of time, just $$$
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
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1978 Argosy 28 foot Motorhome
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
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07-07-2003, 04:12 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,486
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There are also RV salvage yards. They frequently have units less than a year old - sometimes new in the box. In addition to regular salvage, many also purchase inventory overstocks and that sort of thing.
Mind you, it is strictly buyer beware, and I don't endorse this option myself, but it is an alternative.
Mark
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07-07-2003, 04:21 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1978 25' Tradewind
Metro Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,524
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Here's a couple of repair links...
http://www.gasrefrigeration.net/
http://www.rvrefrig.com/home.htm
But I'm liking the "good used one" plan myself. I've considered buying some junked out cab-over truck camper with a good fridge, myself.
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07-07-2003, 04:39 PM
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#11
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Moderator
2004 30' Classic Slideout
Fenton
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 10,401
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Re: DITTO!!
Quote:
Originally posted by Silvertwinkie
We just got back from a week long trip and my dad's SOB has a 20 year old Dometic.
Is it fixable or is it just less exp to replace.
Eric
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One of the biggest issues Eric is what modifications will be needed if you buy a complete brand new unit. I know that when my 14 year old unit in my Hi-Lo sprung a leak there was no exact replacement available. Replacement would mean possibly rebuilding the enclosure that surrounded the existing unit. In that situation replacing the engine of the fridge was a preferable option.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo.
AIR #56 S/OS#15
'04 Classic 30' S.O.,'03 GMC Savana 2500
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07-07-2003, 06:43 PM
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#12
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Jack,
You are very right. I looked at the specs and we did a crude mesurement of the old unit and there are some differences in the new units and the older ones...whoda thought they'd have changed the specs in 20 years!
Anyway, thanks to all for the info and the links. It is very helpful and will help dad figure out the best course of action. Still trying to get him into an Airstream and get him away from the dark side of the force!
Eric
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07-07-2003, 06:59 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 153
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If I decide to repair, what size task to remove the two door from the 34 footer??
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George Jr.
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07-07-2003, 07:52 PM
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#14
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1 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 15
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rebuilding ammonia reefers
Hey folks,
Here is a link to a place that re-builds ammonia reefers. As I read it, about any of teh older RV units can be re-built. The cost appears to be 1/2 what a new unit would run, so it is something to consider. For teh mechanically inclined, I believe the parts can be bought and you can save even more.
Something else to think about....
http://www.rvmobile.com/
Enjoy,
M Denis
__________________
Marc Denis
a wannabee full timer
working on the road
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07-07-2003, 08:10 PM
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#15
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1 Rivet Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 15
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rebuilt unit
Just looked up an RM3500 (couldn't find an RM3506) on the link ( http://www.rvmobile.com/) and looks like under $300 would get your reefer going again, if teh RM3506 is close in cost to the RM3500 rebuild. There are detailed instruction on the site to take the cooling unit out and re-install it..... Just a thought.
MD
__________________
Marc Denis
a wannabee full timer
working on the road
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07-07-2003, 08:27 PM
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#16
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Just a member
1978 28' Argosy 28
Lutz
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,549
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As I mentioned above, the repair places cannot repair them all. The heat exchangers and condensers need to be provided by someone.
Usally they are available form the manufacturer as repir parts, but eventually the supply is gone. There is also an issue of Jig availability. The cooling unit is 1 peice and has to be built to a close tolerance, so a jig is necessary. Not all shops have the jigs for all models.
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
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1978 Argosy 28 foot Motorhome
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato
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07-08-2003, 05:34 AM
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#17
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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For those near Gladstone, Michigan in the U.P., dad found a place that might be able to do the work for about $250. He is still pondering what to do, but he also wanted me to send a word of thanks for the great info!
Eric
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09-09-2003, 06:18 AM
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#18
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Older Dometic fridge issue closed....
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09-10-2003, 04:01 AM
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#19
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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who?
eric
who did you send it to?
john
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09-10-2003, 05:58 AM
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#20
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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It was a place in Escanaba, MI in the upper penn of MI. If you'd like the exact name, address and phone, I can get that for you....
Eric
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