The Dometic gave up the ghost

Tim L S · 09-07-2011, 12:22 PM

I have a C800 (circa around 1981) purchased in 1992.
When "in the field" it resides on a 2000 F-250 where we spent much time at Cape Hatteras NC (with its very salty air).
I noticed a very strong odor of ammonia a few weeks back, and suspecting same, have found the fridge (3 cubic foot) no longer works which is darn sad. The "circulating system" behind the blow out panel is very corroded, but I cannot find the leak, nor does it appear in the fridge (where the odor seemed to originate). Due to its age and appearance, repair does not seem advisable. Does anyone have an idea what it would cost to replace? Thanks, much.

Cleon · 09-07-2011, 02:41 PM

In the past when I've had a fridge "cool no more" I've googled and found many places in the U.S that will sell and ship the cooling units to your door at a fraction of the complete replacement cost. There is also a factory in New Brunswick Canada. From what I understand the cooling units usually fail in the area where the tubes enter/exit the freezer. Seems the insulation holds the condensation/moisture in causing the tubes to eventually rust away.

Tim L S · 09-07-2011, 03:15 PM

Cleon, Thanks for the reply. That makes sense. I hadn't had the camper on my truck for 5 years and hoped that non-use would equal non-wear but life is never that easy especially with a compound as corresive as ammonia. I was just quoted $700 for a new unit with an additional $200 to install it from the dealer that it was originally purchased from (by others) almost 30 years ago. It sounds as if you have done this before. Did you contact a Dometic outlet and give them a serial number (where ever that might be found) or how did you determine through the seller which unit was compatible? Thanks.

EMD_Driver · 09-07-2011, 05:34 PM

I would recommend checking out http://www.rvcoolingunit.net

They have a great warranty and decent pricing. They will even send you instructions on changing out the cooling unit yourself. That will save you a lot! I just hope they have the unit you need...

All you have to do, is send the old one back to them. They even send you a return shipping label. They'll rebuild it and sell it to someone else..

EDIT: Where in Virginia are you? I was born and raised in Winchester. I now live 15 miles north of there, in Martinsburg, WV... I would be glad to help you change the cooling unit..

Tim L S · 09-08-2011, 01:59 PM

EMD, Thanks for your input. I am just south of Ashland or North of Richmond. A bit of a stretch of a cruise for help, thanks for the offer. I contacted McGeorge RV where this unit was originally purchased as mentioned above. I recent them specific info on the fridge (RM 360) and they upped their repair price to $1200 which is close to what I purchased the complete camper for 15 years ago. I'll check out your suggested websight and repost. I may try to post photos in the "photo" area. I have some good shots from Hatteras Island while camping on the beach which used to be allowed before the National Park Service decided they needed exstortion money and created obscene fines for responsibly staying on the beach.

EMD_Driver · 09-08-2011, 04:26 PM

They do have a cooling unit, for your fridge.. Check out this page:

RM360 cooling unit

If you decide to go with it, I would still be glad to help you get it installed..

Looking forward to the pics!

Gary

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awellis3 · 09-10-2011, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim L S

I contacted McGeorge RV where this unit was originally purchased as mentioned above.

In addition, contact RV Service of Virginia in Ashland and Cheek and Shockley in Richmond. C&S's labor rate is half of what McGeorge charges.

Teach

Tim L S · 09-12-2011, 01:14 PM

Awellis3, thanks for the advice. You must be from the Richmond, VA area.
EMD Driver, I have tried to post photos but I get "Invalid File". The file might be too large for the server, but I have reduced the attempt to just one photo and the message continues. The photo is a scanned photo taken with a non-digital camera, so it should not be too large.

EMD_Driver · 09-12-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim L S

EMD Driver, I have tried to post photos but I get "Invalid File". The file might be too large for the server, but I have reduced the attempt to just one photo and the message continues. The photo is a scanned photo taken with a non-digital camera, so it should not be too large.

The saved files need to be jpg files.. Are you sure they are saved as jpg's?

You can email them to me and I can see what you've got. I can then post them for you..

Tim L S · 09-18-2011, 08:38 AM

EMD Driver, you are correct. I attempted to post them as PDFs.
I'll attempt to email them to you via this venue.
Thanks.

LisaKana · 09-20-2011, 08:23 AM

[QUOTE=EMD_Driver;98624]They do have a cooling unit, for your fridge.. Check out this page:

RM360 cooling unit

If you decide to go with it, I would still be glad to help you get it installed..

Looking forward to the pics!

Gary

Hi Again Gary,

You certainly are a helpful guy w/ setting up links & all!