again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Topic: again enjoying the ammonia smell... (Read 1149 times) previous topic - next topic

again enjoying the ammonia smell...

May 28, 2014, 09:56:18 am

Hi to all!

Within 3 years, my brand new cooling element of the Dometic ($ 2,000) is starting leaking heavy.
For sure, it will be the last time...no no more ammonia cooling in the future!

But I have still 3 weeks to go in my tour before I deliver the coach to Nacogdoches, TX ,for the a new residential fridge.

Ammonia smell is everywhere, in the food, eyes, cabin and loungs..

Is there a easy way of depleting the ammonia from the unit before we die??

ps: for sale a Dometic fridge, needs a new cooling unit........... will swap for Motosat F1....

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #1 – May 28, 2014, 09:57:56 am

Maybe I'm wrong, but if you're smelling ammonia that badly - don't you have a fire hazard there?

Love our residential fridge, by the way.

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #2 – May 28, 2014, 10:09:39 am

The fridge is deactivated.....gas shutoff valve closed, 110v plug pulled.
The freezer part is now cooled only by the icemaker.

We have all the fans on and windows open...and that for $ 2,000.-......!

Now we are camping.........:-)

Witch model did you install?

Thanks!

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #3 – May 28, 2014, 10:14:09 am

We used the Haier from Lowe's. Don't have the model number handy but will try to find it for you.

On edit: It's the Haier Model #HA10TG20SB. 10.3 cu. ft. We paid $349 at the time (7/5/2013). The only thing I don't completely like is how it protrudes away from the other cabinets - the old one was nice and flush. No big deal; it just reduces the width of the passageway into the rear of the coach and I tend to brush against it with my shoulder sometimes.

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #4 – May 28, 2014, 10:19:28 am

Good job!!

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #5 – May 28, 2014, 10:22:09 am

Thanks, but all I did was take Rudy Leggett's advice and had his Baytown shop install it (Cutting Edge RV). They did a great job, in my opinion. One day I want to have the sliding pantry made for the (now) blank area to the left of the fridge.

See model info above - good info from this forum led me to that one.

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #6 – May 28, 2014, 10:57:54 am

The issue is the new cooling units do not have as much corrosion inhibitor in them. Notice it is not plugs anymore but ruptures. A residential or as one member did a cold plate is the way to go.

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #7 – May 28, 2014, 11:04:09 am

I have a Motosat F1 on my roof we can discuss.

best, paul

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #8 – May 28, 2014, 11:23:54 am

I also bought the Haier Model # HA10TG20SB and paid $ 359.00 for it. I had FOT install it. Install went very smoothly, very good fit in my 1999 U295.
One of the best modifications I have had done.

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #9 – May 28, 2014, 11:41:19 am

Call an industrial heating and cooling company. They service ammonia units and can evacuate the unit safely. Ammonia is a hazardous substance you should not breath it as it can cause severe allergic reactions and if breathed in sufficient quantities cause pulmonary edema which means a trip to the emergency room. At the least I would seal off the entire unit on the inside of the coach with polythene sheet and tape if you need to be in it. Keep fire away as it is flammable.

I would go after Dometic big time on this.

Keith

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #10 – May 28, 2014, 01:20:42 pm

Dutch connection, what is the width and height of current refrigerator. You will want a counter depth residential refrigerator the same width or say up to 1/2 inch narrower. Ignore the height, whoever installs the fridge will lower the supporting shelf to fit. This will likely cause you to lose most or all of the space below current fridge. Abt and ajmadison web sites have almost every fridge made listed, and they have dimensions in the description

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #11 – May 28, 2014, 01:58:48 pm

if you put the Haier one in you will not need to touch the lower cabinet, just change the top part a touch, and if you have a double door now then with this change you can have a slide out pantry like I made. A big plus for more storage and nice addition. You can also run this off a 800w PSine inverter very easily.
JohnH

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #12 – May 28, 2014, 02:08:20 pm

Open the out side access door and cut the line , get rid of all the ammonia at one time .
Have had to do this a couple of times. Still takes a while to get rid of the smell but not as long as the slow leak.
If your lucky you can see where it's leaking.
......~JL~

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #13 – May 28, 2014, 05:32:28 pm

Thanks to y'all, highly appreciated.

The outside dimentions are 33.5 x 60...
I will let you know what the outcome will be in the future...
Meanwhile we will tape up!

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #14 – May 28, 2014, 06:36:15 pm

JohnH, is that Hier 23.5" wide 60" tall 25" deep?
Will a 500watt std inverter work (i have this one) OR must it be 800w prosine?

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #15 – May 28, 2014, 10:05:05 pm

the height is around 59+" and yes that will work for power. Any make inverter will do. Look at Beamalarm modifications section under "adding another inverter" and you will see how easy it is to do. Just seperate the 120v line for the back of fruidge and put this thru a DPDT switch and an inline fuse from feed for inverter.
JohnH

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #16 – May 30, 2014, 09:31:47 am

Surprise, surprise!

Just got an email from Joshua, FT Nacogdoches...

Dometic is willing to replace the 3 year old cooling unit without costs, labour involved will be mine.

Nice to know!

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #17 – May 30, 2014, 09:40:14 am

That is good news. I hope that this new one lasts longer for you.

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #18 – May 30, 2014, 10:22:21 am

Quote from: Dutchies – May 30, 2014, 09:31:47 am

Surprise, surprise!

Just got an email from Joshua, FT Nacogdoches...

Dometic is willing to replace the 3 year old cooling unit without costs, labour involved will be mine.

Nice to know!

Outstanding! They probably have readers who scan RV forums for fridge problems. The word spreads quickly when customers have major failures. With solar gaining a big foothold and making efficient household refrigerators practical in RVs , companies like Dometic, Norcold and others must be feeling the heat (npi).

Pierce

Re: again enjoying the ammonia smell...

Reply #19 – August 21, 2014, 07:34:23 pm

Roadrunner I just saw your post of May 28, 2014 that you had the small Haier installed by FOT. Is your install pretty much what John Haygarth's looks like, probably minus the fancy slide out cabinet? If so your install should be just about identical to what mine would be. Can you tell me how many labor hours they charged you?
Thanks

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