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03-22-2010, 04:51 PM
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#1
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Remember, Safety Third
1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners
, Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,720
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Fridge Burpin' and other stuff
I bought a used fridge from a 2000 model AS Bus from a forum member locally and installed it last fall. It worked fine for the first couple of months, but then didn't use it over the cold part of the winter. Fired it up last weekend and the freezer gets down to zero, but the fridge part wouldn't go below about 48 degrees. So after doing a bunch of reading here on the forums, I pulled it back out Sunday afternoon and gave it a good shake (side to side, front to rear). I couldn't turn it upside down at the time and "burp" it because I was here by myself (i.e., nobody to pull me out from under it in case it decided to fall on me ). Anyway, shaking seems to have worked fine, it seems to be cooling properly now. So here's the question:
I've read many posts here where folks have done the same thing. I'm just curious if anybody has had long term success with this "burping" stuff. I don't really want to have to pull this thing back out of the cabinet (deinstall, reinstall) every few moths. SO, has anybody had success for a couple of years, or possibly longer, after a good burping session?
Thanks for reading along gang, remember, spring is almost here. Gotta get ready for the road!
Jim
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03-22-2010, 05:06 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim & Susan
I bought a used fridge from a 2000 model AS Bus from a forum member locally and installed it last fall. It worked fine for the first couple of months, but then didn't use it over the cold part of the winter. Fired it up last weekend and the freezer gets down to zero, but the fridge part wouldn't go below about 48 degrees. So after doing a bunch of reading here on the forums, I pulled it back out Sunday afternoon and gave it a good shake (side to side, front to rear). I couldn't turn it upside down at the time and "burp" it because I was here by myself (i.e., nobody to pull me out from under it in case it decided to fall on me ). Anyway, shaking seems to have worked fine, it seems to be cooling properly now. So here's the question:
I've read many posts here where folks have done the same thing. I'm just curious if anybody has had long term success with this "burping" stuff. I don't really want to have to pull this thing back out of the cabinet (deinstall, reinstall) every few moths. SO, has anybody had success for a couple of years, or possibly longer, after a good burping session?
Thanks for reading along gang, remember, spring is almost here. Gotta get ready for the road!
Jim
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The problem is that some foreign material is within the cooling unit.
It partially, to completely, plugs up the normal flow of the cooling liquid.
It may never show up, and then again, it may show up on your next trip.
That's probably why it was for sale.
Andy
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03-22-2010, 05:15 PM
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#3
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_
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, .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim & Susan
...I've read many posts here where folks have done the same thing. I'm just curious if anybody has had long term success with this "burping" stuff...
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4 get the burping...
give it a ONE man beating.
this will do u both some good.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f425...ork-50502.html
(see posts #14 and #19 above)
cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
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03-22-2010, 06:05 PM
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#4
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Remember, Safety Third
1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners
, Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,720
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Thanks for the link, 2Air. Guess I should have used "big stick" in the search box.
Jim
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03-23-2010, 06:24 PM
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#5
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Remember, Safety Third
1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners
, Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,720
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So, I have another question.
I couldn't help but notice that on the absorber vessel there is a port on there that looks like it's made to remove or add the ammonia solution. Is it possible to drain the ammonia outta there and recharge the system? The idea being that a good cleanin' and new coolant can clean some of the corrosion, etc, outta those tubes. Kinda a like a flush and fill on a compressor based system with everyday refrigerant.
What say you?
Jim
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03-23-2010, 09:45 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim & Susan
So, I have another question.
I couldn't help but notice that on the absorber vessel there is a port on there that looks like it's made to remove or add the ammonia solution. Is it possible to drain the ammonia outta there and recharge the system? The idea being that a good cleanin' and new coolant can clean some of the corrosion, etc, outta those tubes. Kinda a like a flush and fill on a compressor based system with everyday refrigerant.
What say you?
Jim
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Jim.
DON'T TOUCH IT.
One mistake and your DEAD. A blowoff of ammonia will kill, quickly.
There are companies that specialize in overhauling a cooling unit.
It takes very specialized equipment to do so. Do you have that equipment??
Then, you might drain it, but do you know how to purge the system of all the particles???
Then, do you know how to mix the ammonia and water to the proper ratio and quantity??
If you answer any of those with a "I am not sure", then save your life and leave it alone.
NO BULL...........NO HOGWASH EITHER.
Andy
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03-23-2010, 10:16 PM
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#7
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Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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It has to be charged with a fairly precisely measured charge of ammonia, water, and hydrogen gas. I only know of one place in the country that advertises the ability to do that.
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03-24-2010, 05:43 PM
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#8
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Remember, Safety Third
1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners
, Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,720
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Steady there fellas, I would never try to do that on my own. I'm well aware of the corrosive affects of pure ammonia and the explosive affects of hydrogen. In other words, I'm crazy, but not stupid. I was just curious if it's commonly done by authorized service centers, that's all. After all, there is a port on that absorber for a reason. I've never seen a post here on the forums by anybody that has had such a service performed.
So, has anybody had this type of service performed? There's supposed to be a place in Alabama somewhere that refurbs old RV fridges, and at one time I had a link to their website. Maybe I can find them again.
Jim
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03-24-2010, 06:09 PM
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#9
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Patriotic
1973 23' Safari
North of Boston
, Massachusetts
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,546
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Yeah, JohnHD made an excellent photo essay on replacing the cooling unit, via one of these outfits. A friend of mine used the thread to replace his cooling unit, when it bit the dust. worked out great for him. not cheap...but way cheaper than a new fridge.
__________________
Air:291
Wbcci: 3752
'73 Safari 23'
'00 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 QC
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03-24-2010, 06:22 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
1963 28' Ambassador
Vintage Kin Owner
Northern VT
, Vermont
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 360
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Most likely problem was the unit was running severly off level long enough for the burner to boil the amonia solution without circulating it. This can cause small crystils to form and lodge in the capilary tube, reducing or blocking circulation. "Burping" can shake 'em free. Sometimes they settle somewhere harmless, sometimes they relodge, I have one on year #4 after a burp. If it happens on gas only check the burner. When they take an angry beating sometimes scale will drop down the chimney and partially block the burner. I beat mine yearly now to keep it clean!
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03-24-2010, 06:49 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
1971 23' Safari
Valley Grande
, Alabama
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 92
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Burping worked for us. We bought a used dometric refrig from a forum member. He didn't know if it worked or not because he bought it and never tried it out. We brought it home and plugged it in. It didn't work. My father in law told us to turn it on its side for a couple of days and then plug it in. We did and it has worked ever since.
As a side note, listen to Andy. He is always right. My husband made up his mind that if the burping didn't work, then we were going to get a professional to work on it. Somethings are better left to the professionals, ya' know?
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03-24-2010, 07:58 PM
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#12
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Remember, Safety Third
1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners
, Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,720
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Here's a link to John's most excellent thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f425...air-23857.html
Great info, but still not exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the tip, Chuck.
Jim
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