My turn to replace refrigerator

Topic: My turn to replace refrigerator (Read 1658 times) previous topic - next topic

My turn to replace refrigerator

March 15, 2013, 07:31:24 pm

I have a Dometic RM1282 in the coach, original equipment. Apparently it is a very specialized model, with a small electrical compressor just for the ice maker - the rest of the refrigerator is absorption. Fan came loose on Compressor, Mom doesn't like noise. Shut off Ice maker - no noise. Time to replace entire unit, right?

Bought this on-line from HH Gregg. Mixed reviews...but going to give it a try.

Haier 20.6 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel French Door Refrigerator | hhgregg

Parliment Motor coach will pick up in Clearwater HHGregg store for me. I will take there on April 29 and have it stuck in to coach. MOT tells me no upgrade to Prosine 2500 required to change to residential.

OK, not using FOT or MOT, and Haier reviews on this model hit and miss.

Likes : Size of unit (fits good minus shelf below current unit), price, capacity, french door, NO PROPANE!

Worries Reviews, not using MOT, FOT.

Will report on outcome and post pictures......

Tim Fiedler

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #1 – March 15, 2013, 07:48:08 pm

Do you have electronics below the fridge in the space. It adds to the difficulty but I am sure Parliment can handle it.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #2 – March 15, 2013, 07:56:56 pm

Tim, that is the model I had in the 295 with the small comp for ice maker. That part was fine it was the cooler that was gone. You also most probably have the cupbpard under for storage as I do. I gather you are not into handy work as really there is not too much to changing it over, just the heavy part of getting it out and in. Save yourself some money and take the old one out. It is very easy and will go thru door.
If you want info on that give me an e-mail
John h

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #3 – March 15, 2013, 10:28:49 pm

John,

Parliament quoted me 5 hours @ $90 per hour less 10% Motorcade discount - Just to get it done in a day by others is worth it to me, I picked the refrigerator to basically fit after taking out the shelf below the refer.

Any tips or pics will help, since they may not have done many Foretravels.

FYI, talked to Mike Rodgers at MOT, and he assured me standard Prosine 2500W Inverter will be just fine with this Residential Refrigerator.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #4 – March 16, 2013, 04:46:01 am

I don't know the layout of your kitchen and fridge. The specs for my 95 40' U320 maybe completely different. Here is what I encountered in the installation of a Bosch counter depth 22cu.ft side by side fridge.

My fridge sits next to the stove top,and the sink sits down,forward on the counter. The drain,hot and cold water, and vent pipes for the sink run along the floor from the sink to the holding tank that is past the refrigerator compartment. Because of this you have two choices.

1. Bring the refrigerator out and have the pipes run behind the refrigerator. This option forces you to bring the refrigerator forward into the hall area about 4-6". add to that any additional refrigerator depth from the handles and you could end up with a VERY narrow passage way to the bathroom.

2. Build a 4-5" tall platform that is over the water, drain and vent pipes and put the refrigerator on top of the pipes. You obviously must have enough height available to do this (refrigerator + height of base). This is the solution I chose. I wanted the refrigerator all the way back against the outside wall so I would not bring the refrigerator and its handles into the aisle that leads to the bathroom. With the 24" counter depth of the refrigerator it is comfortably out of the aisle and barely protracts out from the counter depth even with the protruding door handles.

I have not encountered any problems running my residential unit (5 amp) on the 2500 watt inverter for the night. When driving the alternator seems to supply ample power. I installed a on/off switch so If i wanted I could easily turn off the refrigerator if I was worried about draining my house batteries too much, I have never needed to use this option.

I have pictures of my install in my profile if you need any visual ideas for your installation.
Good luck, I'm sure you will be very happy with the final outcome of your project.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #5 – March 16, 2013, 05:59:09 am

When my 24 cu ft Samsung was installed by a very savoy shop, it took a day and half, between removing the window, for removeal of old and inserting the new (new would not go thru the door) using a fork lift, felt they did as good as could be done. built the 5" stand for the pipes on floor next to outside wall, it fit snuggly. Replacing window very properly. No damage to anthing except the wallet.
As for electric power, it has the feature of simply turning off the auto defrost function to save energy during the night while on battery alone and all works great on the 2500 W inverter system.
The other good point of installation, behind the refrig is two duplex outlets, 1 on inverter, 1 that is not, simple choice.
The down side in my case, the freezer door is fine, but the refrig door will only open 90 deg due to hitting the sliding door track to bathroom area, this is fine but can not remove the bottom drawers for hitting the door.
Cost Labor about $1,200.00 as I recall I think. Samsung $2,200.00, total about $3,400.00.
Yes, would do it again but with a slightly lower 5" model.
Otherwise all is well and glad I did it, there maybe a better choice (not as tall) for the 36' coach.
Would use that shop again, located Bay City, on I-10 near east of Houston, contact was Rudy.
FWIW
Dave M

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #6 – March 16, 2013, 10:38:55 am

Lon,

When you took out the under refrigerator cabinet, and built the "shelf/floor" over the pipes to support the weight of the refrigerator, did you happen to take any pictures? Any learning's for me? Where the pipes roughly running along the floor of the coach with slight pitch, or were they up off the floor? Any pictures of that after you removed the ref rig and shelf before you put in your new raised "floor?

How did you treat the area under the refrigerator once it was installed? Cover it? Cut down original door for the cabinet and reuse? Again, any pictures would be great.

The Haier i bought is 20.6 CU Foot, and 69 3/4 inch tall, or 10" more than the Dometic - the cabinet below is about 15" in height, so I suspect I can do exactly as you did on my install, to be able to keep the refrigerator pushed tight against the wall (actually I think the spec is 1" off the rear wall. I saw your pictures, including the vent above the refrigerator.

Your notes are a big help Thanks!

When the unit is being installed by Parliament, I will be there and take lots of notes/pictures for a post when it is finishes.

Thanks again!

Tim Fiedler

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #7 – March 16, 2013, 10:41:59 am

Dave,

Thanks for the recap! Great info as well as Lon's. My unit is 20.6 Cu ft. 69 3/4 tall. They may have been optimistic in their quote, shop rate is $90 per hour less 10% Motorcade discount, or $81 per hour. I could do it with friends, but time and age conspire against that. We will see how much it costs at Parliament and how it turns out.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #8 – March 16, 2013, 11:57:38 am

Tim,
Yes you can do it but it is more than I want to tackle, took two all the time, four to get units in/ out the window.
Little over a day with some slow moments.
The end result is good.
Good luck, expect a day
Dave M

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #9 – March 16, 2013, 03:11:58 pm

Well we used a smaller single wide as you saw in my pics and I needed help to take out the old (1 person extra), and did not need to remove window. I finished up with the pantry unit which Ruth loves (Barry and Cindy saw it in PHX and liked ot too). I put in a seperate inverter because the 2500 uses a lot of "stand by power" all the time and this dedicated 1000watt true sine uses a third of the 2500 so power/ battery saving there. I guess if you factor in the cost of inv', switch etc it cost me $400 to put it in but I l;ike the lower power usage.
John H

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #10 – March 16, 2013, 04:04:01 pm

Do you shut of the 2500 Prosine then? Otherwise aren't you just adding a parasitic load on top of the one you already have from the Prosine?

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #11 – March 16, 2013, 05:00:30 pm

I pretty much never shut off the prosine. I wonder if I will need to add another one for just the fridge. I will talk to david About it when I get there.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #12 – March 16, 2013, 08:48:15 pm

Tim,

I don't really have any pictures of the before category. I will re post some pictures of the refrigerator after it was moved into position.

My installation was from a clear slate. There were NO cabinets around the refrigerator and NO dividers to either side of the refrigerator. I just had a big open hole where the old refrigerator and cabinets used to be. The refrigerator fire destroyed everything in that area including the cabinet above the microwave. This probably made my installation easier, I didn't have to think about how to make the Cabinetry work with the new fridge because there wasn't any.

As I remember the refrigerator is elevated by the thickness of a 2x4 on end and the thickness of a 3/4" piece of plywood, there is also a 3/8" thickness of the hardwood floor on top of the coach floor. This height was enough to raise the platform above the water, drain, and vent pipes that run along the side/rear wall. They do run at a slight angle sloping up toward the sink area. You should be able to see the pipes if you remove the drawers under the cook top.
Under the refrigerator I ran bracing with the 2x4's so the base would properly support the weight of the refrigerator across the coach floor section. I chose to keep the built in central vacuum system that is located under the refrigerator. Since everything was out I re-plumbed the vacuum with solid PVC pipe instead of the flexible vacuum hose that was there and leaking.
The central vacuum now works great. I also made sure there was enough area under the refrigerator for the vacuum hose to be stored. Of course Cheryl doesn't like to have to get way down there to get to the hose or put it away so the hose will now be relocated to the narrow cabinet I made between the refrigerator and the bathroom pocket door. This cabinet gives me access to the washer water hoses, The 220v outlet for the dryer to plug into and the outlet for the refrigerator to plug into (120v wired to inverter). As I had mentioned I also put a on/off switch next to the refrigerator under the cook top so I could easily turn off the 120v power to the refrigerator if the needed.

My 95 U320 has the narrow entrance door. I was able to get the Bosch into the coach by removing the door, the passenger seat, the door locking knob, and the hand rail next to the door. I removed the doors from the refrigerator. This made the cabinet exactly 24" deep.
With my almost super human strength and the help of my stubborn Norwegian /Swedish wife we were able to wrestle the refrigerator in the coach. The refrigerator did receive a small injury when it attempted to "fight back", It won't try that again!

The refrigerator manufacturer required very little clearance at the top, or sides in the cabinet that encloses it. I did want to have some space so that the refrigerator had enough room to breath. So the refrigerator stays put I installed spacers that take up the room between the refrigerator and the refrigerator enclosure. This stops the refrigerator from moving side to side.
To stop it from moving forward off the base and into the hall I secured the bottom of the refrigerator with lag bolts that run through steel L brackets. These sit in front of the wheels under the fridge. So the refrigerator is stopped from tipping forward I installed a spacer that rests at the top back of the refrigerator and wedges against the coaches roof.

I still have the outside access door to the back of the refrigerator. In the summer I screen it so bugs can't enter. I think this helps the refrigerator exit heat. In the winter I plug the outside vent with insulation so the refrigerator heat stays inside the coach. This also gives me easy access to the back of the refrigerator so I can get to the ice maker hose. I need to disconnect this in winter and drain it as part of my winterazation of the coach.

I also made two "rails" that are equal in height to the refrigerator platform. I can put these on the floor in front of the refrigerator bottom wheels and pull the refrigerator out of the enclosure (after all stops are released) so I can service or clean behind the refrigerator. This gives me about 2' of service area behind the refrigerator if I were to have plumbing work to do back there with access through the outside hinged vent panel.

Well I'm sure by now your sorry you asked, but sometimes I just can't shut up, and I laugh as I type this; If you have any other questions just ask.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #13 – March 16, 2013, 08:59:11 pm

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – March 16, 2013, 08:48:15 pm

Well I'm sure by now your sorry you asked, but sometimes I just can't shut up, and I laugh as I type this

I'm not sorry the question was asked - y'all just got a Karma from me for sharing all the great info and photos

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #14 – March 16, 2013, 10:07:18 pm

Thanks Lon and Cheryl! i have been following this thread as we all need to know what's up next...in our problem basket. For me personally, I'm not sure if OEM refrigeration design, is a problem not managable, as is sometimes suggested.

As Foretravel requirements from 2000 to 20012/13 have changed, it seems owners of our interim coaches are migrating towards the latter model designs thoughts--
I ask myself "Why"? and digest this as maybe 'i' might be more of a 2000 kind of person, wishing to be able to not stay so often "Plugged In".

then I have to consider the folks with Solar additions. Ok. Add solar! but there is a big cost to that.
I've been there on solar/still am on my boat, so understand the cost/benefit package.

Refrigerators on mobile use, like ours in a 'mobile-variable' planm seem to have value? yes/no. I personally like the concept of having BOTH LP and electric capability and I'm sure I'll get a slap upside the head for my thinking, but that's ok. Let's talk/

My coach has 3 8D house batteries. (not new, but good)

If I find refrigeration failure and look for a replacement ...as would the rest of you, I'd love to find info here on 'both' sides of this gas/or elec. question. It seems right now, the electric converts are standing tall!
why? let me and others know the full balanced truth/as you see it. I have tried to read the info in the archives but still find it segmented..

----My batteries are good, but that is now. They do the job if I'm not plugged in for the night, but not more. Add a 150 amp daily draw on power consumption from an electric refrigeration system that was 'not' originally designed into the plan, and I will not be a happy camper. I say 150 amp draw as the inverter has a 15% loss in efficiency if not in optimal draw of peak loads, which a frig. will not be drawing and the battery system and 'IT's' recharging capabilities have less than perfect numbers also... probably 15% too. So lets say a perfecly insulated, installed home refrigerator is installed in a FT retrofit, we probably are still looking at 140-160 amp daily draw.
(465kw/yr = 104amps/day x 15% x 15% on inverter if in a perfect...environment)

-Add Solar? Ok, how much does that cost for this ability to go a few nights....a few? ( I actually DO know the answer to this.)

Forgive me also, if I say I do not like the generator going off at 4:30 a.m. and I'm sure I'll get a thumbs up somewhere on this!(my dog Pete, jumps up and wants to hide beneath my pillow! NO PETE-Get down/get DOWN!

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #15 – March 16, 2013, 11:14:44 pm

Ron I've had some of the same thoughts as you on the fridge. Fortunately we've not had a problem a new board wouldn't solve, but I have a hard time thinking we'd like a refrigerator that depends on 110v to stay cold. Tank of propane will keep that thing cold for a long long time if we're unplugged.

As for the fires, the vast majority of these Dometics grow old without igniting their surroundings so that doesn't worry me much.

I was glad to see i may not be the only one thinking that way. I was starting to wonder what was wrong with my thinking.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #16 – March 17, 2013, 11:55:52 am

Tim, we do not have the Prosine on unless we need the Microwave. Remember all my charging is done by Solar. The fridge inv' is on most of the time only
John H

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #17 – March 17, 2013, 07:20:22 pm

Ron, the reason I am going with electric is that their is a life expectancy on these units. I already have almost 13 years on this fridge. So rather than have failure and a fire I want to replace it. If there was no fire issue then it might not be as big an issue but I have not seen as long a life expectancy on the newer units. So, I decided to go with residential. Once it is changed out then if I have to change it out again it is simple thing to do. ALso there is much more room and space in the residential unit and if I change out the stove too then I can pull the propane out as well and add an extra battery if I want too.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #18 – March 17, 2013, 07:55:02 pm

John S.
My experience with the new refrig and battery draw has turned out to be nearly a non issue, as when am traveling, I will run the genset until about an hour before hitting the rack, sleep well, wake up 7-8-9 hrs later, generator has not ran during the night, I start it up, the charge goes to 105 amps for a few minutes, than starts backing off as I make my breakfast using the microwave for coffee and the 3 minute breakfast. I run genset either until the genset has the charge down to 25 amps or I will start engine and drive off, leaving the genset on for a while, then shut down. Have not installed the 4th battery yet.
I truely hope I can wear the generator out, I feel that is a great indicator that I have had a great time as I am still not saving anything for the DW's next Buffalo.

Dave M

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #19 – March 17, 2013, 08:54:34 pm

I want to wear the whole coach out.... i think the extra battery will be a nice thing. I used to have 4 batteries in my last two coaches.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #20 – March 17, 2013, 09:11:11 pm

I agree, had one refrigerator fail at 12 years since new, current one is about that age. Domestic replacement now $3,200 plus install, and a worse fit than the residential. Going to do it on my terms and convenience. Might get a couple of more years, but have seen enough fire damaged coach pictures to want it gone.

Must be something to it, most all high end coaches now all electric.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #21 – March 17, 2013, 09:32:49 pm

Tim, I wonder if that is related more to the way those coaches are used than to anything else. I suspect that few all-electric coaches will ever do any Wallydocking, and if they do, they will use the toad to go out to eat. Jo Ann is an excellent cook (as my waist can attest) and she really prefers a gas stove, so an all-electric coach wouldn't make her happy. That said, though, I see little reason to have a propane refrigerator anymore. I think ours has died, although it may be something else wrong. Should I not find a problem that is easily (and cheaply) fixed, we'll replace the Dometic with a residential unit.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #22 – March 17, 2013, 09:59:48 pm

I appreciate the responses that have come in and understand some others having a different path to the same goal but still glad we have the options we do.
I appreciate the simplicity of the gas/electric unit Foretravel installed and right now, believe I'll keep it going as long as possible. I like the 'kiss' engineering that has been around for a long time and doing well in most applications. I can understand the need at times to replace a unit or repair it and if 'rust through' is a problem on the coils, then I guess it's wise to check them at some point. Ten years, 15? Any figures from those that have been there?

From what I've read in the archives the Amish built replacement coil units are reasonably price and at least one of the companies will do an 'replacement' installation in motorcoaches.

I can live fine with the interior volume of my Dometic so extra space inside is not a desire and on the road, having smaller spaces, keeps things more secure to me. (Maybe not a factor but) Having the drawer under it is nice to have.
I can see having a larger house bank of batteries, or creating another power source by installing a solar system, but will not create and pay for those projects unless I feel I 'need' the benefits they give. Right now all is well and feel I'm a happy camper.

Keeping the l.p. option, seems to me, keeping things simple.

Appreciate the fine reading on electric conversions and will continue to follow them but other than the rust consideration, possibly creating a fire hazard, is there any other reason that the Dometics should not be repaired when necesssary?

thanks again for any replies.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #23 – March 17, 2013, 11:55:03 pm

David,

My Wife PJ is also an amazing cook. Have (had...) a killer, expensive Bosch dual fuel range/convection oven at the summer place, made the mistake of getting her a high end induction slide in stove for the main S&B when we did the kitchen. Mistake. Now everything, including the stove in the coach and summer home needs to be induction. She loves the even heat, and the precision of the temperature. oh well, happy wife = happy life, right? So bye bye ref rig, and hopefully bye, bye two burned propane stove and HUGE tank for propane (aquahot for heat and hot water). Space for TV or extra battery, or

With the current propane unit, made a mistake once, filled up the propane prior to parking, left the coach in FL with Mom in it, had refridgerator on Propane instead of automatic. Brain Cramp. Took 30 days and propane tank was empty. Seemed not very long, but it was warm in FL in November. Was a pain, since couldn't fill coach in RV park, and Mom couldn't take it out to get filled. Hooked up 20LB tanks via Grill accessory to main tank. two burner stove didn't empty one tank rest of winter (5 more months).

John S's coach was fire damaged due to refrigerator fire, he went residential in rebuild. Most of these fires result in totaling the coach and sometimes injuries or death.

John stays out of campgrounds and uses solar with a dedicated 1000W inverter for Residential Refrigerator, leaves 2500 inverter off until he wants to use microwave or coffee pot.

I think mostly, improvements in residential refrigerator efficiency, cost, size and larger batter capacities created the trend we are seeing.

Nothing wrong with absorption units, but looking forward to the swap out. I must say these days we do a few Wally World nights a year, and a lot of NASCAR, where we have no power. But we stay in CG's too, and are not afraid to run the generator.

I am looking forward to the change, and sharing photos's with the group. Good luck with yours, hope you get it working or if not, get a great replacement, whatever you choose.

Re: My turn to replace refrigerator

Reply #24 – March 18, 2013, 12:04:36 am

Memory Roads,

My first Dometic had the coils go bad at 12 years from new. They say the newer ones don't last as long. Not sure if you use the ref rig full time if the coils last longer. Looked at replacement coils, but for the one I had, they were $750 ish, and a new refer from Caping World was $1200, and it was the same size. Opted to replace with Propane. BTW, opened the unit and the smell of ammonia was overpowering, that was how I new I needed to shut it off and replace. Took old unit apart as I was contemplating replacing coil, I could have done it, but not a simple or uncomplicated task. If you are handy, it can be done, but not for the average owner, in my opinion. Plus, if it doesn't work, take it apart, send back coil, figure out why it doesn't work, etc. Some of the folks that sell coils will install for a fee, but that narrows the savings further.

In this coach, the current refrigerator is 13 years old, and cooling fine, but the compressor for the ice maker is shot (yes, absorption everywhere but ice maker, a very rare refrigerator, an RM1282. Dometic's "replacement" is a totally different size and ridiculously expensive. Can buy a no fire risk residential, have it installed professionally and save $1,000 (at least) vs. going propane. For me, easy decision, especially getting rid of fire risk.

If I had an older coach and could get an exact replacement for $1200, I might stay with propane.

Affiliate Notice