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Refrigerator Removal

Yahoo Message Number: 69840
Just when I thought I had everything under control, frig decided to quit. Smelled ammonia and there is orange residue in the rear refrigerator compartment. Looks like there are two ways of removing the refrigerator, through the front door or out the bedroom window (Single Wide model Dometic 1062).
Couple of questions. Anyone do this, which is easier/best? Looks like going out the door, would remove passenger seat and probably the inside door molding, undo the awning arm so the door could be opened to almost 180 degrees.
The other would be to remove the bedroom window box (makes it easier) and remove the sliding portion of the window. May be easier just to remove the window. Can the slider be easily removed? How?
Haven't taken a close look yet, we're in Livingston moving to the Houston area for awhile, will wait until we're parked for 3 or 4 weeks before starting to look at this in detail.
Two places can do the work, CamperLand in Conroe and Camping World. Never bee a "big" fan of Camping World but they probably have the best price and they are close to "everywhere" in case there is a problem. Usually do this type of stuff myself but in this case will probably make it easy for them to remove and install and let them do it.

Judy n Joe

98 Intrigue 10578

Re: Refrigerator Removal

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69841
You may want to consider replacing the frig with a residential one. There are a lot of folks that have done that and are happy they did it. The cost is about the same as replacing the frig with another Dometijunk.

Mikee

Re: Refrigerator Removal

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69842
Thinking about it, but the Dometic has worked good for 13 years. At this point looking at all the options, I think the Dometic will be an "order" and don't know the lead time. Luckily a nearby friend has a small electric frig I can borrow. Domeitic is about $1700+ tax and installation, probably get a smaller residential for a bunch less than that and install it myself. Still interested in the removal information.

Judy n Joe

98 Intrigue 10578

Re: Refrigerator Removal

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69843
Have you considered using one of Alpine RV Refrigeration's new cooling units?

At 04:37 AM 4/3/2011, you wrote:

Quote
>

Just when I thought I had everything under >control, frig decided to quit. Smelled ammonia >and there is orange residue in the rear >refrigerator compartment. Looks like there are >two ways of removing the refrigerator, through >the front door or out the bedroom window (Single Wide model Dometic 1062).

Couple of questions. Anyone do this, which is >easier/best? Looks like going out the door, >would remove passenger seat and probably the >inside door molding, undo the awning arm so the >door could be opened to almost 180 degrees.

The other would be to remove the bedroom window >box (makes it easier) and remove the sliding >portion of the window. May be easier just to >remove the window. Can the slider be easily removed? How? >

Haven't taken a close look yet, we're in >Livingston moving to the Houston area for >awhile, will wait until we're parked for 3 or 4 >weeks before starting to look at this in detail.

Two places can do the work, CamperLand in Conroe >and Camping World. Never bee a "big" fan of >Camping World but they probably have the best >price and they are close to "everywhere" in case >there is a problem. Usually do this type of >stuff myself but in this case will probably make >it easy for them to remove and install and let them do it.

Judy n Joe

98 Intrigue 10578

Best - Scott

2006 Allure 430 #31349
(Bus-Stead Lemon)

Re: Refrigerator Removal

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69844
Joe,

All that is gone is the cooling unit. It can be replaced without removing the refrigerator from the coach. All you have to do is remove the frig from the cabinet to gain access to the back. There are a number of options available in replacement cooling units.

Don Seager

2004 Allure 31046

Re: Refrigerator Removal

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69848
We are considering all the options, went kaput on Saturday so haven't been able to really look at what's available. From what I know, repairing is about $1100, one year warranty, replacing, $1650, 3 year warranty and repairing, we'd still have a 13 year old box. Found a residential for about $350. We will be in Conroe for 3+ weeks so should be able get adequate information.

Joe

98 Intrigue

Re: Refrigerator Removal

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69849
I replaced my dead unit with a residential from Lowes- 6 years ago. Nice, quiet, trouble free and worth the grand amount of $350. wish you were closer, I'd help ya out

Ernie Ekberg
Weatherford, Tx 76086
817-475-3991
www.ernieekbergflooring.net

Refrigerator removal

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69861
I am in Austin, TX until the end of the week and my refrigerator went out Friday night. I discovered it Saturday morning and was able to get a repairman to check it out Saturday afternoon. Unless I find something better before Monday afternoon, I have decided to replace the cooling unit with on from RV Cooling Unit Warehouse. They have a three year replacement warranty and charge $950 plus $150 shipping for their unit that fits my Dometic NDR 1292 (12 c.f.). When I showed the information to the tech that checked out my refrig., he said he had been buying rebuilt ones out of Arkansas for his other clients and paying a lot more. The one's he had been buying only had a one year warranty.
I don't want a residential refrig. because I do a lot of boondocking and don't want to have to run my generator for hours everyday to keep the refrig. cold. I also don't want to have to make it "fit" in and change the trim so it looks good. I understand that other C.C. as well as other coach owners have used this brand and been happy with it.

Gene Merryman

2000 Allure #30496

Re: Refrigerator removal

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69879
If that's the Amish cooling unit, I think you'll be very happy. I put one of those in our NDR 1292 about a year and a half ago and we are very happy with it. The freezer stays at 0* or lower and it keeps the fridge as cold as you want it. Our fridge runs about 38-40 on setting three. I got great technical support from those guys too. Good choice!

Larry, 03 Allure, 30856

Quote from: Gene's email"

Re: Refrigerator removal

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69883
Gene,

We did the replacement from the Amish on our Norcold 1200 which was working fine. we just finished it and the test run went extremely well. The tech put it in and I was the helper. All he kept saying was how much better the unit was built than the norcold unit. Even an uneducated frig person like myself could tell how much better made the unit was. The tech was very impressed with the tight fit, sealing to prevent leaks, thickness of the metal, support of all the tubes and the insulation on the burner tube. Ours had started to fall apart due to the heat. We also lined the refrigerator hole with thin aluminum and aluminum tape from Home Depot so we don't have an open flame in a wooden box. We also installed a halon fire extinguisher in the hole. If you have time I would recommend you do the same. We had him remove the ice maker to give us more freezer space since we never used it anyway and it took even more clutter from the back of the frig. Go with the Amish replacement coils and you will be happy. Make sure you use a tech familiar with with frig's as it will move quicker. Good luck and you will be happy you replaced it...
Safe Travels,
Kathy

'06 Inspire #51782

Re: Refrigerator removal

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 69894
Thanks for the information, going to pursue. Replacing our Dometic 1602 will be around $2100 OTD and repairing with a "new" Amish unit would be around $700. Here is the website for Amish unit.
http://www.rvcoolingunit.net/servlet/StoreFront
I still have a few things to consider. The refrigerator is 13 years old, what other things would a new refrigerator buy me, new seals etc. There is another problem that occurred when I was troubleshooting the problem, I think one of the thermal fuses blew, not getting 12 volts to the unit.
Going to buy a small refrigerator that will fit in a bay to take the pressure off of repair time. Best price is Camping World, best schedule also. (beat everyone else by about $300). Not a big CW fan but this is a replacement no a new install so will go with them and they are located almost everywhere in case of a problem.
Will decide what to do this week, going to call RV Cooling Warehouse and talk to them.

Judy n Joe