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06-24-2013, 08:50 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1979 30' Argosy
Lexington
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 20
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Refrigerator: restore or buy new?
We just bought a 1979 Argosy. The original refrigerator is still working, but not real well. The guy we bought it from said it would probably go at anytime. So, my husband pulled it out tonight, but I'm wondering if it's worth finding someone to repair it or just get another one? Do people want to stick to the original stuff if possible?
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06-24-2013, 09:54 PM
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#2
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New Member
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4
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My oven just failed so only my fridge remains original equipment to the '74 Overlander. Each time something died, I'd wonder the same thing... but only for a little while. Then I would buy the best brand new I could afford. I'm currently searching the forum for replacement ideas and retrofit tips. For me, new is the way to go. You might like to see what I mean by looking at the specifications page at the we site below.
http://home.roadrunner.com/~snowabode/
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06-25-2013, 04:44 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2015 30' Classic
2012 28' International
Greensboro
, North Carolina
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,708
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There is tons of info on refrigerators if you go to that Forum. I think the conventional wisdom is that after a certain period of time you are probably better to replace it than try to repair a really old one, though there are folks on here who will dispute that.
__________________
_________________
"SilverLeaf II" 2015 30' Classic
2019 RAM 2500 Limited 4x4 CC w/6.7L Cummins
ProPride 3P
AIR# 58452
WBCCI # 3430-Unit 21
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06-25-2013, 05:38 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
1975 31' Sovereign
Palomar Mountain
, California
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 355
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1979 refer technology is about 3 generations back - new are so much more efficent and energy conservative, I would not want a 'fixed up' old one - also one that old even if you fixed what was wrong now you'd just be waiting for something else to go wrong. That's 33 years old!
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06-25-2013, 07:20 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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Ours is 40 years old an still works fine. As long as it doesn't spring a leak and lose the ammonia. It could go for a few more years.
No circuit boards to fail, no 12 volt required. A simple unit. I like simple.
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06-25-2013, 08:09 PM
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#6
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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If you look into the facts surrounding the replacement of the "heart and lungs" of the refer, you may find that it is a lot simpler to do than one might think.
It's not cheap though, however I would say about half of the cost of replacing the entire refer.
Beyond that one piece, there really isn't much more to go wrong in your late '70s refer.
What condition is it in? Any rust, decay in the seals, bad stains?
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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06-25-2013, 11:44 PM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
1979 30' Argosy
Lexington
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 20
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Thank you all so much for your replies. I decided to go ahead and buy a new "used" one, at least it's a lot newer than the one I had in my camper. As far as the condition, Aage, it seemed to be in good condition other than, according to the last owner, it wouldn't cool really well on hot days. We just got the camper yesterday, so that's all I really knew about the fridge.
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06-26-2013, 06:09 AM
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#8
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Not cooling on hot days is a characteristic of these refers. You should do some searching on "fans refer" or maybe refrigerator to see.
Like I say,although they seem very complex, they really are more simple than one might think.
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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06-26-2013, 06:16 AM
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#9
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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OK, I looked up a popular refer thread for you. Buttercup really got into the problems in depth, so for whatever you want to know about them, it's here:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f425...ork-50502.html
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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08-04-2013, 05:18 PM
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#10
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1 Rivet Member
Leavenworth
, Washington
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 5
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So where did you get your rebuilt unit from?
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08-04-2013, 07:38 PM
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#11
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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I haven'y had to replace the cooling unit, however I bought a new heating element from this company, and am about to buy a rather clever internal fan setup they sell. So far, I have been very pleased with their advice and service.
RV Cooling Unit Warehouse
They sell the "Amish rv cooling units" that one hears about.
ps: I have no connection with them other than as a happy customer of accessory parts.
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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