Dometic 2562 replaced with Dometic 4081 in 2021 FC25RB

[ftelliott]

This weekend we replaced our dual fuel Dometic DM2682 refrigerator with a 12v Dometic 4081. We are very pleased with the results!


1. The Dometic 4081 (8 cf ft) is a direct swap-in form factor replacement for the factory Dometic 2562 (6 cu ft) in a 2021 Flying Cloud 25RB.


2. Pull the refrigerator's 12v/15A fuse (mine was 3rd from the top in the panel) and turn off its 120v/15A breaker (mine was the bottom breaker).


3. Check the 12v supply leads are "dead", disconnect the 12v leads and unplug the 120v plug (you can reach it from the top).


4. Disconnect the gas line and plug it with a threaded insert; use lp approved tape and sealer (the yellow stuff).

5. Detach the old refrigerator (the 2582) by removing two screws top front, and two bolts back bottom. The bolt next to the lp stove pipe is a tight fit so bring your thinnest sockets.

6. Prepare the interior pathway from refrigerator to the door. Put down thick pads, carpets, towels; whatever you have since the unit has sharp angle iron on the bottom and can quickly damage the floor. Maneuvering this guy out is the scariest part.

7. Pull the refrigerator into the main kitchen area, tilt it and get it onto the padding on the floor. Maneuver it toward the door. Tilt it out and set it on the ground. This is the hardest part and easier with two people.


8. Unpack your new 4081; the mounting rails are cleverly hidden and taped to the bottom styrofoam.


9. Tilt the new refrigerator back into the door, slide it in on its back (take care of the electrical box), stand it up inside the trailer, maneuver into place, and partially slide into the opening. This is easier than it sounds.

10. Make a 3' 3-wire pigtail using 12AWG THHN wire (red white green) and attach each end to #10 10-12 gauge ring crimps.


11. Go outside and attach your 3-wire pigtail to the refrigerator. I then installed a terminal block on the side wall, installed the 3-wire pigtail on one side, terminated the existing 12v (red and white) to the corresponding opposite side, and ran a short wire from the GND terminal to a self-tapping screw through the door panel's aluminum frame.


12. Go back inside, mount the top bracket to the refrigerator, slide the refrigerator the rest of the way into the opening, line it up, and attach the top and bottom plates to the wood frame. You might want to use bigger or prettier screws than those provided.


13. The manual tells you how to unlock the shelves if you wish to move them.


14. Replace the fuse, turn on the breaker, throw away all the packing and you are done!


Preliminary testing looks fantastic. With an empty refrigerator, with the FC in an enclosed storage unit here in AR where its 100F outside, the freezer was 4F and the refrigerator was 34F in 6 hours.

[Keys Dave]

Thanks to your advice and great information I bought the same Dometic unit and so far I'm also pretty happy. The install went well until the end.
The interior light kept flashing. I couldn't find the problem online so I tried to contact Dometic. They said to take it to an authorized service center. So I went back online and after a while found a single post about the door light switch being misaligned such that the light never goes out. Using some tape and a shim I built up the area and all is well.