Aluminum Camper Forum

Livin Lite Forum => Camplite and Bearcat Travel Trailers => Topic started by: Paul on May 18, 2022, 01:13:27 PM

Title: Refrigerator problems
Post by: Paul on May 18, 2022, 01:13:27 PM
Our refrigerator is not working anymore. I see that there is a yellow powder which I believe is due to an ammonia leak. I probably need a new refrigerator or is it repairable?(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220518/1cbaeac66696480069a0677dfa4f4c8d.jpg)
Title: Re: Refrigerator problems
Post by: Merlin on May 19, 2022, 08:36:44 PM
I wonder what caused the leak. I have no idea about repair.
Title: Re: Refrigerator problems
Post by: djsamuel on May 21, 2022, 10:06:13 PM
You may want to check out a replacement cooling unit:

https://rvcoolingunit.com/Dometic-Cooling-Units-Amish-Built-Brand-new-C4436.aspx (https://rvcoolingunit.com/Dometic-Cooling-Units-Amish-Built-Brand-new-C4436.aspx)
Title: Re: Refrigerator problems
Post by: Paul on May 26, 2022, 11:43:56 AM
I have found someone that can fix those fridge. The fridge doesn't go out through the door so he only took the cooling unit with him. The cost will be about 1400$ CAD. It was a bit hard to get out since its in a thight spot. I asked him what happens if you need a brand new fridge, he said sometime we can get it in through a big window or else we have to remove the slide to get it in. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220526/4c7b81ab4821be498196ecad33068b33.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220526/31a4995214ba6c0899915cbbdbfdf93e.jpg)


Title: Re: Refrigerator problems
Post by: keeena on December 14, 2022, 02:50:47 PM
Is that fridge OEM? What make? Asking because it looks to be very well insulated. The Dometic in my VRV looks nothing like that and only has some loose batt fiberglass stuffed around the sides.
Title: Re: Refrigerator problems
Post by: Merlin on December 14, 2022, 08:36:08 PM
Yes, Paul's fridge is a Dometic and OEM. Dometic makes a wide variety of RV refrigerators!
Title: Re: Refrigerator problems
Post by: Paul on April 27, 2023, 09:11:31 AM
Quote from: keeena on December 14, 2022, 02:50:47 PMIs that fridge OEM? What make? Asking because it looks to be very well insulated. The Dometic in my VRV looks nothing like that and only has some loose batt fiberglass stuffed around the sides.

The person repairing it said there was Dometic made in China and some that were not. He showed me a Chinese one I wish had took a picture. You could see the quality difference.
Title: Re: Refrigerator problems
Post by: PDX David on May 20, 2023, 12:51:18 PM
I got frustrated with my OEM Dometic(after trying every imaginable fix to improve performance), ripped it out and replaced it with a 12volt fridge.

20221005_103455.jpg

Gained some space for storage. Not a drain on my battery (with solar). Had to do some improvising and problem solving along the way but happy with result.

[Sorry, not sure why photo shows up twice.]
Title: Re: Refrigerator problems
Post by: Merlin on May 20, 2023, 04:12:01 PM
Very nice! Good move to go 12V. What is the cubic foot capacity and where did you buy it?
Title: Re: Refrigerator problems
Post by: PDX David on May 26, 2023, 01:09:08 PM

RecPro.com (https://www.recpro.com/rv-refrigerator-3-3-cubic-feet-12v-stainless-steel/)

One I got was 3.3 cf.  They have other sizes too.

Other than removing the old fridge (which you basically have to take apart to get through the door), biggest challenge was sealing the two vents on rear of trailer. I tried a couple of things which failed before fiberglassing over them and that seems to have solved the problem.

.....David