Domestic RM 2310 smells of Ammonia..

[Keyair]

I have a Domestic 2310 in a fun project I just bought.
Its a 3 way unit, and after I tried to test it, I opened the door and it stinks of Amonia... I think thats what it is, as the inside is clean and empty. I have a sinus cold, and my ears and nose as a little messed up, but it made my eyes water!Only thing I saw was a little staining on the floor of the unit, in the back corner.
After doing research, I think maybe the cooling unit has failed..
Its not in bad shape, apart from the trim/control panel at the bottom is cracked.

Is it worth spending, what, $500 on getting it fixed?

[Silverhobby]

You'll have to consider if the door and it's seals are in good condition as well. New refrigerators are very expensive.

[barts]

We bought a rebuilt refrigerator from these guys; so far it has worked well and it was several hundred dollars cheaper than a new unit. Since ours was nearly 40 years old and refrigerators of that size are no longer made or common, we ended up w/ a larger unit that required some woodworking to replace.

- Bart

[Aerowood]

I have a 2310 for sale. PM me for details if interested.

[Keyair]

Seems sure the cooling unit is toast from their troubleshooting section.
Need to get some prices for a rebuilt unit...

[raveson]

When my 3-way would not stay on with propane, I checked into replacement as are you. I believe to do so is still arround $1,200. I replaced the computer board for about $100. and my problem was solved. While trying to determine the fix, found on the web places that will send you rebuilt gas (Amonia) systems, but as I'm trying to remember was costly. If the board did not work I came to the conclusion the best way to go was replacemment with new. The last thing I wanted was the beer to get warm on the road and the steak and lobster to thaw and spoil.

[Melody Ranch]

EBAY has 'em for sale. It seems like they go for around 375 to 400. The best I found was the company out of Memphis. Look around. Remember your time is usually worth something in the great scheme of things.

[lewster]

If all of your other refer components are sound, the cheapest way to go is with a re-built cooling unit. They are not really hard to replace, but it will take a couple of folks to help you remove the unit from the cabinet and lay it on the floor.

I would only use name brand, recognized remanufacturers of cooling units like Nucold or Nordic. There are a bunch of no-name units on the Web with dubious guarantees. I would stay with the industry leaders, as you don't want to be doing this all over again in the near future....warranty or not!

[Keyair]

Thanks Peeps...
I am out of work right now, so time I have, but spending lotsa money on this old unit bugs me more.
I found one place that does a unit for the 2310 for $329, but I bet shipping is gonna hurt too, cos you have to ship your core too.
My guess is still close to $500... for a pretty small fridge... Ugh..

[Keyair]

Its not in an Airstream, which is both good, and bad!
Its a long story... but here is what its in... and I paid less for this that some of you paid for your refridgerators!



Its mounted high off the floor on the drivers side, where you can see the vents. The Van was custom built for a guy in a wheelchair, so I am ripping the whole interior out and custom building it to my needs and tastes.
I hoped it was working and the PO said it was when he parked it 7 years ago.. I had to remove a large Hornet nest from the top of the cooling unit..
Fun stuff!

[vswingfield]

Very interesting. That needs a thread of its own.

One concern, though, was the breeze generated by the hornets' wings used as an early fridge vent fan? If so, removal of the hornets' nest may impact the units performance.

[Keyair]

Its a different Beast to my 345...
But they snuggle together like family...


And my Girlfriend is teasing me here... dont know why..


Oh, I know we digress, but It HAS a thread(and a life) of its own if anyone has a day or two to spare..
Here...
Project BigB... a 1977 Dodge Van 6x4! - Expedition Portal Forum


Ok, so going full circle...
Because I use this one for backwoods camping and exploring, good chance it will not be parked level a lot...
So,
Anyone used a house style compressor fridge,run off the genset(it has a 5000w generac in the back)/120v or off the battery pack/Solar panels I am planning... or suggest a better way?

[vswingfield]

Curiouser and curiouser!

The nose is a 1977, but they didn't go to those taillights till 1978. Check the side marker lights, too. Different on the front than the back. My original TV was a 1977 Tradesman and I had to do the taillight and clearance light search.

I guess that its just so long that the year changed sometime in the middle.

[Keyair]

Originally Posted by vswingfield

Curiouser and curiouser!

The nose is a 1977, but they didn't go to those taillights till 1978. Check the side marker lights, too. Different on the front than the back. My original TV was a 1977 Tradesman and I had to do the taillight and clearance light search.

I guess that its just so long that the year changed sometime in the middle.

LOL, So you dont have to wade thru... It was a '77 B300 1 ton van... then sometime before 1980, It had a Pathfinder 4x4 Conversion.
Then, a Disabled Aircraft Engineer bought it... and I have stacks of receipts from then on.... About $60k's worth in fact....
He wanted to travel, but was in an Electric wheelchair, so had lots of work done, and in 1990, he had the stretch done by a Limo Company...
It had a new motor in 1998, and has only done maybe 5k miles since then.
I wanted a "Go anywhere RV", and now I got one!
My girl says I have an RV for best, and an RV for roughing it!