22' Sport Refrigerator Dometic RM8505

[jmickow]

Agreed, I loved the low power draw and minimal propane use of the propane absorption fridge, but hated the unreliability and poor hot weather performance. Plus the off-level operation risks, which possibly could have been a factor in what killed mine, I just don't know.

Many people have claimed that their propane fridges always work just fine, but I was really tired of the worry of whether the food was safe and what to do if the fridge stopped working, which in the end days it always did. I would do a bunch of testing, effect some repairs, it would work fine in the driveway on propane, then would crap out on the trip.

I could have put in a new propane fridge, but that was a big $$ risk if I had similar problems again. You can still buy them and many other manufacturers still use them, but I think some like Airstream are responding to their customers who often travel from RV park to park with full hookups, and want reliable (and big) refrigerators.

[PB_NB]

We are hanging on to our LP fridge (fingers crossed).

We have lots of lithium so never have a concern about power usage if we had to switch it up to a fully electric model. I am sure that the time will come when ours packs it in as well.

[AlbertF]

We have a Dometic 8505 (I believe) and have been very pleased. I’m well aware of the hit and miss performance of absorption refrigerators, but ours has been exceptionally good, I think. We’ve rarely used the cooling fan, except in extremely hot weather.

We like it because we are off-grid more than half the time we are using the trailer, and we rely on golf cart batteries and a small solar panel. Propane use is very modest, and a non-issue for us.

If we had to switch to a compressor unit, we’d be forced to buy a new transformer, batteries, and a much bigger solar system. I don’t want to drag a generator around, but a small Honda would be a possibility and somewhat ironically, perhaps the lower cost option.

[Prettygood]

I have a 2019 22’ Sport, and just swapped out the fridge for the NovaKool R4500. To be safe, estimate 50-60 amp hours per day. That is a real ceiling, shouldn’t actually draw that unless you are opening the door often or if it is super hot and it has to cycle more.

Like others have said, the inconsistent performance of the absorption fridge is what made me swap. I only have a 100ah lithium battery installed, but have 270w of solar up top, plus a suitcase, plus a newly added EcoFlow Delta 2 Max. I should never have to worry about power again.

If you are really concerned with power, buy a smaller portable panel that can recharge your jackery.

(If anyone is looking for a 3-way fridge, hit me up I am selling the one I just pulled out.)

[breton]

I just returned from a 3 day trip and the 12/120v fridge is a definite disadvantage from the old 3 way fridge - so I didn’t use it. This trip I brought 2 coolers (65 and 25qt) and used about 45 lbs of ice.
I don’t have solar or lithium.

Now I just have to figure out why my furnace wouldn’t work.

[Boxite]

Originally Posted by TomPiper

….

Am I the only one out there who thought absorption frig with LP was a wonderful? I guess I can't figure out why that option seems to have faded so quickly from the manufacturer line ups.

WE also love our LP fridge and have had no difficulties with it because we also boondock from time to time.

The internet-stories blaming propane, carbon-monoxide, and fire-hazards of propane-‘fridges for the demise is hype.

The real reason the propane ‘fridges are being phased-out is due to the highly-toxic chemical (sodium-chromate) that is included within the loop to prevent internal corrosion of the tubing. Various countries around the world have basically out-lawed it’s production. The mfr’ have considered moving production to China but that is an expensive move because the mfr’g plant has to be constructed…and the possibility that China wil also outlaw the production of the anti-corrossive is always possible.

Here’s a quote from a supposedly top-secret internal Dometic communique:
“….Dometic uses sodium chromate (Na2CrO4; EC 231-889-5; CAS 7775-11-31) as an anticorrosion agent of the carbon steel cooling system in absorption refrigerators up to 0.75 % by weight (Cr6+) in the cooling solution. Sodium chromate was included in the Annex XIV list because it’s classified as Carcinogenic (category 1B), Mutagenic (category 1B) and Toxic for reproduction (category 1B). It is not considered a threshold substance, and consequently the adequate control of risks arising from the applied for use of the substance cannot be demonstrated in accordance with Annex I, section 6.4 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
The aim of this analysis is to demonstrate that there are no suitable alternative substances or technologies for the applied for use. In addition, it is to be assessed whether the socio- economic benefits of the continued use of sodium chromate outweigh the risks to human health.….”

No suitable substitute for sodium-chromate has been found and Cr6+ is extremely hazardous to produce, adequate safeguards for workers and surrounding communities of Cr6+ production facilities have not been found.

[PB_NB]

That's eye opening!

Does the electric fridge such as the Novacool, contain the same chemicals or just different named (but the same) type of chemicals?

[Prettygood]

Originally Posted by breton

I just returned from a 3 day trip and the 12/120v fridge is a definite disadvantage from the old 3 way fridge - so I didn’t use it. This trip I brought 2 coolers (65 and 25qt) and used about 45 lbs of ice.
I don’t have solar or lithium.

Now I just have to figure out why my furnace wouldn’t work.

Want to buy a 3-way? I’ve got one for sale

[AlbertF]

Originally Posted by PB_NB

That's eye opening!

Does the electric fridge such as the Novacool, contain the same chemicals or just different named (but the same) type of chemicals?

No, they will contain some form of refrigerant - R134a seems common - along with a suitable oil that runs with the refrigerant to keep the compressor and seals lubricated, just like the air conditioner in your car.

It would be interesting to know if hydrocarbon refrigerants are being used. Less than 2 ounces would be needed to cool a refrigerator, and power draw would be minimized due to lower pressures and higher efficacy.

Freon (R12) is not used. Freon was last used in cars for the 1992 model year.