Refer Madness

[uniquemicro]

Sorry, I am sure that title is not original but it did come to mind.

75 22' Argosy. Fridge on AC gets cool, not cold. Freezer cool, not cold. Have not even tried LP yet. Model unknown but orginal. Dumb Question. I am pretty handy and have reviewed the tune-up stuff in this forum section, if deemed necessary how can I charge my system? I know it takes ammonia, where do I get it, how do I ensure I add proper amount, is there a place to inject it?
Thanks in advance,
Ken

[azflycaster]

The cooling unit on these refrigerators are sealed units and are not field serviceable. You can tell if it is leaking fluid by the smell. Make sure you have left it on long enough to get to the proper temperature. I let mine run overnight before a trip to get it cold.

[uniquemicro]

I let it cool down on AC for two days. Cool but not cold. No smells but I just bought it from a guy that said everything was 100% operational, you know how that goes.

[adonh]

Here is link to RV Mobile Inc. Refrigerator Repair, RV Mobile, RV and Gas Refrigerators
They specialize in RV refrigerator service and parts and have links for diagnosing problems.

Don

[Aerowood]

Try it on Gas first, the electric heating element mat have high resistence or going south and may not be getting hot enough.

[doorgunner]

Dude, get me a beer.
o.k. man
This ain't to cold.
I just got it from the reefer, man.
Is that thing plugged in?
the beer?
No the Reefer, dude.
I dunno, isn't it a gas?
Gas? Dude you got gas?
No man the reefer- on gas.
Jeez Dude are you nutz.?
No man, I'm myself
We need someone to fix the reefer!
bad reefer, like you know someone who knows something about reefer repair?
Yea dude it's Dave.
Dave- Dave's not here man.

[Alumin8]

Sorry, but you have reached into that funny reefer land and will now have to talk to the funny reefer man. Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

I have had a lot of experience with this problem. First, if there is any smell of ammonia, the unit is pretty much finished. I have a 1975 unit that had the original Dometic unit and tried to get it repaired. These units are sealed and utilize ammonia hydrate as the refrigerant. Very interesting chemistry but that is another thread. I tried to find someone to repair it but this apparently is not simple and required a jig to reconstruct the metal tubes. There are no commercial replacements and no one repairs these vintage units. Ammonia equals junk - take to a metal salvage and recoup some of the money you will spend on a new unit.

Second, it the unit gets cool on the electric side, try LP as they are much more effective in this mode. The freezer should reach 32 degrees in 2 hours tops - but if it reaches it at all, the unit is good. The electric coil may be faulty and need replacing. I believe these are available but if not, I think I have one from my old unit somewhere. I will follow this thread and see how it goes.

[azflycaster]

If running on gas gives you the same results, you could always try this: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f425...dge-33735.html