FMCA and residential fridge installs

July 05, 2012, 08:17:11 pm

July FMCA issue, pp. 50-53.

It is not on the cover. It is buried really deep in the magazine, but there it is. Finally, someone associated with promoting the RV industry is working with and around this issue.
This means we are making a difference. Consumers are being heard. Lives will be saved and RVing will be more safe than it was yesterday. Thank you to all who have supported this change. It is happening.
To those that have encouraged others to keep the status quo, you can have no idea what another family might experience or face. It is a known hazard. The alternative is not. You will not be trying to get out of there with them if they are being suffocated by the chemicals or their RV ceiling becomes a broiler. Better to keep quiet than to be responsible for another's choice made based on your recommendation of a product over which you can have had no control.
s/Lucky Terry Apple (and family) with the 2004 Allure 31001 that the fridge ate

Re: FMCA and residential fridge installs

Reply #1 – July 06, 2012, 12:35:59 am

Yahoo Message Number: 80716

Terry,

It's good Freon refrigerator options exist and people are exercising them with improved safety. I have reached out here twice requesting some pictures of installs to help people visualize the finished project. So far only one person has sent me photographs. We too had a Norcold melt down but luckily it didn't lead to a catastrophe. I was one of the early whistle blowers on the Norcold 1200LRIM with a post made back in February 2011. I've archived the information here: http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=68#Post68 It's received over 2100 views which is good. My situation is one bus and one refrigerator and I was extremely annoyed at the failure, Norcold and the potential safety issues. That said, I can't endorse keeping quiet as it merely shuts off a valuable information stream.
I believe it's important to understand why specific gas absorption cooling units fail. They all aren't designed and built equally. Norcold's cooling unit is one of extremely irresponsible design IMHO. My personal belief is Norcold should be held accountable for the damage their product(s) have inflicted on innocent people. Your experience should stand as a perfect example of just how serious this has escalated to. They owe money plain and simple.
In my case, I decided to replace my cooling unit with one manufactured by Pines RV Refrigeration. It has been operating without problems for 1.5 years now. Again that's my situation, one bus and one specific cooling unit. It's another set of cards put on the table to complete the list of options. I don't recommend that anyone go out and follow this course of action, however. I simply document my experience, present it and offer some hands on opinions. It's up to each person to examine the data and make the choice that offers them the most comfort. At some point I may convert to a Freon refrigerator so I'm on board with collecting as much data as possible on this option. Hence my request for photos.
Sadly the Norcold cooling unit safety hazards aren't completely eliminated by replacing your refrigerator with a Freon unit. If your neighbor's bus catches fire chances are others in proximity will sustain damage. Safety is extremely important for all of us and I think accurate consumer level documentation and its dissemination is the best method to force manufacturers into thinking beyond just maximizing their short term profits. It's going to be a slow process turning things around but in the end the strength and conviction of an educated community will prevail over the hucksters that want a quick buck. Each one of us needs to tell our story and be prepared to embrace the diversity this implies. Straight ahead!

At 05:17 PM 7/5/2012, you wrote:

Re: FMCA and residential fridge installs

Reply #2 – July 09, 2012, 01:38:20 am

Yahoo Message Number: 80762

Scott,

Thank you for your very thoughtful response.
I am in total agreement with your thinking. The blame should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the manufacturer that has produced defective and dangerous products. I do not believe in the indictment of the entire gas absorption refrigeration industry.
I do not blame the victims for their emotional responses. But, to say that gas absorption based refers are ALL bad is an inappropriate conclusion. Based on forty plus years of RV experience with gas absorption refrigerators, my own limited personal experience has been good. However, I am surprised that the owners who have had fire related problems have not come forward with a class action suit. Is this in progress? Would anyone take the case?

Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure 30226

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