fridge problems

Topic: fridge problems (Read 1733 times) previous topic - next topic

fridge problems

August 19, 2014, 11:01:23 am

The Dometic RM7832 in my 98 U320 is not cooling well. It has never done very well in hot weather and as I move south now it is really struggling. I will be in Nac in Sept and called to get estimate of cost to replace with some kind of residential fridge. Labor estimate was 22 hours. Seems like a lot but window has to be removed to get the old one out so maybe justified?
Questions are:
Fridge is about 32x59. Ideally would like to replace it with something same size but after looking over some of previous threads on this topic I didn't see where anybody had found something like that. Samsung sounds good but I would prefer not to lose the cabinet space under the current fridge.
So I believe my options are to lose the cabinet with a full height fridge (like Samsung) or drop back to 24" wide which I think can be found in the height around 59". I would like to get suggestions, with current model numbers please, of fridges that people have either used or have found something they think would work. I'm in a limited internet area and searching is a relatively slow process.
Next question, if fridge doesn't make it until I get to Nac does anyone have any suggestions as to where to go to get this work done? I'm currently in eastern Montana, headed through NorthDakota, northern Minnesota, Iowa and then to Texas. I read where some folks got theirs replaced for much less labor cost than 22 hours but don't know if their installations are a valid comparison with mine. I do want to get a good job done.
Thanks

Re: fridge problems

Reply #1 – August 19, 2014, 11:27:06 am

BJ, I would suggest that as a one person driver/user you will get by very well with a 10/11 cu ft fridge as we do and there are 2 of us (as others do too) We have the whirlpool unit that seems tough to source for some reason and uses very little power.
This model does not require a window out too which makes it cheaper to install along with the minor cabinetry changes needed. I do not know of any place for installation as we are in BC and I do all my own. I DO know that the prices charged by all are astronomical in my mind, having done it 2 times myself.
Sorry I cannot be more help, but if you change direction and head west then I can help!!
JohnH

Re: fridge problems

Reply #2 – August 19, 2014, 11:43:11 am

John,

Agree that some labor charges pretty high, but $800 at Parliament for R and R and cabinet modifications was real reasonable for a guy that wold struggle with the install myself (like getting old out and new in using forklift through the side window opening...

So if you are near St. Petersburgh FL, consider calling Chris in service at Parliament.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #3 – August 19, 2014, 11:44:18 am

22 hours for labor sounds a lot like $2200

Check outÂ http://www.seafreezeinc.com/custom.shtml

for a custom built fridge just the size you want.

best, paul

Re: fridge problems

Reply #4 – August 19, 2014, 12:25:59 pm

I paid $800 at Parliament, not $2200...full install - r and r and cabinet cut down. Â Plus ref rig was cheap. Â have $2K total, and I have french door full size counter depth

different strokes I guess

Re: fridge problems

Reply #5 – August 19, 2014, 01:16:07 pm

Tim, agree that what you paid is reasonable but others have paid a lot more, as per their postings.
JohnH

Re: fridge problems

Reply #6 – August 19, 2014, 01:42:50 pm

Had my Samsung 24 cf house type frig installed at Baytown, Tx, (Rudy Leggett's connection), the Lowes price at time was about $2,100, install $1,100, stayed in RV, in the garage, 1.5 days. Feel they did a good job, yes, fork lift & thru slide window, 3 men at times. If ever had issue requiring removal, would try to have them do the remove part. No signs of that YET.

Yes, lost the space below the frig, but gained more usable space in frig, so net gain for me.

Not all floor plans work well for this installation and installer can make a huge difference.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #7 – August 19, 2014, 01:58:17 pm

Quote from: corndog254 – August 19, 2014, 11:01:23 am

The Dometic RM7832 in my 98 U320 is not cooling well. It has never done very well in hot weather and as I move south now it is really struggling. I will be in Nac in Sept and called to get estimate of cost to replace with some kind of residential fridge. Labor estimate was 22 hours. Seems like a lot but window has to be removed to get the old one out so maybe justified?
Questions are:
Fridge is about 32x59. Ideally would like to replace it with something same size but after looking over some of previous threads on this topic I didn't see where anybody had found something like that. Samsung sounds good but I would prefer not to lose the cabinet space under the current fridge.
So I believe my options are to lose the cabinet with a full height fridge (like Samsung) or drop back to 24" wide which I think can be found in the height around 59". I would like to get suggestions, with current model numbers please, of fridges that people have either used or have found something they think would work. I'm in a limited internet area and searching is a relatively slow process.
Next question, if fridge doesn't make it until I get to Nac does anyone have any suggestions as to where to go to get this work done? I'm currently in eastern Montana, headed through NorthDakota, northern Minnesota, Iowa and then to Texas. I read where some folks got theirs replaced for much less labor cost than 22 hours but don't know if their installations are a valid comparison with mine. I do want to get a good job done.
Thanks

Remember me if you pull the refer as I need the lock mechanism if the refers scrap.

If you turn the compressor on the whole refer gets way colder in ours at the #3 setting.

Uses a fair amount of battery power but does run off the inverter over several nights without sucking too many amp hour out of the bank.

Or try the #4 setting.

But I am not in a hot area so your results probably will vary

Re: fridge problems

Reply #8 – August 19, 2014, 02:19:04 pm

Quote from: Paul Smith – August 19, 2014, 11:44:18 am

22 hours for labor sounds a lot like $2200

Check outÂ Sea Freeze of America - Custom Refrigeration

for a custom built fridge just the size you want.

best, paul

We also had out refrig replaced at the factory for $2200. Let me say, I stood outside the bay door the entire time they were working on the refrig. They spent about half that time actually working in the rig and the other half of the time getting called for help on other rigs. What I found is that most items you ask for to be done, big items, is $2200. We had this same number quoted to an air conditioner problem in the front dash, which is another story on our past Nimbus Foretravel. I have seen and clocked that what you pay for in labor is an over payment of the actual work done. I gues they need to cover their overhead which all companies need to do these days. I will say that the work done was great and the refrig looked great.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #9 – August 19, 2014, 06:02:14 pm

They worked three days on my fridge and had two guys too. They changed 18 hours but had over 30 in it that I could see.

They pulled all new fuel lines for me too. They had four guys on it for a full day and part of another and it was 23 hours. I do not have an issue with the time and the one thing I had an issue with in remodel was brought to their attention and was cut in half. I have to say that I have not had an hours issue with either the factory or MOT in years.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #10 – August 19, 2014, 07:08:02 pm

I agree with John. We watch pretty closely when our coach in in the factory for repair In the past we have had issues like a slide bladder replacement, interior renovations and lengthy "punch lists" with myriad small jobs. The techs may come and go as they are needed to help lend a hand at another coach, but we have never had an issue with what we considered to be excessive labor hours billed. I am NOT a fan of their "restocking fee" in the cases of a part being ordered and then the issue turns out to require a totally different item. Their percentage calculation seems entirely excessive in that area, especially when the part is not electronic in nature and has obviously not been used. But THAT is a different conversation!

Re: fridge problems

Reply #11 – August 19, 2014, 07:52:30 pm

quote " restocking fee" in the cases of a part being ordered and then the issue turns out to require a totally different item. "
That to me would also be a problem as they designed, built and sold the coach so surely they should know what is required to fix a certain problem and not hand you some cost of their mistake or just to throw parts at it and hope? I was in business for 35 yrs and could never have justified that tactic.
JohnH

Re: fridge problems

Reply #12 – August 20, 2014, 12:28:26 am

Quote from: John S – August 19, 2014, 06:02:14 pm

They worked three days on my fridge and had two guys too. They changed 18 hours but had over 30 in it that I could see.

They pulled all new fuel lines for me too. They had four guys on it for a full day and part of another and it was 23 hours. I do not have an issue with the time and the one thing I had an issue with in remodel was brought to their attention and was cut in half. I have to say that I have not had an hours issue with either the factory or MOT in years.

I would say you were very fortunate to have had great service. We too had great service up until this last past year. We had a air conditioner unit that is mounted under the front dash go bad. Apparently, the solder joints were not good. This was on our past 2007 Foretravel Nimbus. We were billed $2700 to resolder the fittings including labor and told that there would be no guarantee on the work. If the unit failed, then we would have to live without dash air since Foretravel used a vendor that was no longer making this unit and no other unit would work. It was up to us if we wanted them to try to repair it with the understanding that it might not work. Well, to make a long story short, it did not work, out $2700 and no front air conditioner for the driver area. That was the day we placed the coach up for sale.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #13 – August 20, 2014, 04:11:24 am

My norcold propane fridge (don't have model) was replaced in my u270 2 years ago by previous owners. It works great, even in 90+degree weather and keeps my icecream frozen well on 3 or 4 (of 10 being coldest) setting.

I don't understand all the effort to replace with a residential fridge that sucks lots of electricity and requires extensive mods. I boondock a lot.

edit: want to add, no cooling fans or extra accessories either.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #14 – August 20, 2014, 05:23:59 am

I recently replaced the cooling unit in the RM7832 that is in my 1996 U320. I installed a condenser cooling fan kit at the same time. The refrigerator works great and I live in the Houston area where 98 degree days and 95% humidity are common. I am going to install a fan kit on the refrigerator of my 2005 coach as soon as I get the coach home.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #15 – August 20, 2014, 07:16:26 am

If'n your fridge dies I would consider one or maybe two small portable units until you can get to NAC or where ever you chose.

Perhaps a small freezer in the basement and a small fridge in you living area. Inconvenient but would give you time to do a proper replacement.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #16 – August 20, 2014, 08:57:00 am

Quote from: sedelange – August 20, 2014, 05:23:59 am

I recently replaced the cooling unit in the RM7832 that is in my 1996 U320. I installed a condenser cooling fan kit at the same time. The refrigerator works great and I live in the Houston area where 98 degree days and 95% humidity are common. I am going to install a fan kit on the refrigerator of my 2005 coach as soon as I get the coach home.

Do you have any info on the condenser fan kit you used?

Re: fridge problems

Reply #17 – August 20, 2014, 09:36:13 am

This is the one I used:

http://rvcoolingunit.com/Dometic-add-on-Frame-Fan-bracket-kit-2-fans-switch-wiring--P3261872.aspx

Re: fridge problems

Reply #18 – August 20, 2014, 12:40:52 pm

Quote from: sedelange – August 20, 2014, 09:36:13 am

This is the one I used:

http://rvcoolingunit.com/Dometic-add-on-Frame-Fan-bracket-kit-2-fans-switch-wiring--P3261872.aspx

Cool. Bought one. Did you use two or three fans?

Re: fridge problems

Reply #19 – August 20, 2014, 04:27:39 pm

I ordered the one with two fans. Wish I had ordered the one with three. I am ordering one with three fans for the 2005 coach.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #20 – August 20, 2014, 04:39:00 pm

The Dometic that came with our coach was dead when we got the coach. We had already decided that when replacement time came we would replace the RV refrigerator with a residential one. The old refrigerator came out through the door fairly easily. We spent quite a bit of time hunting for a replacement that would come in through the door and fit in the available space. We couldn't find one that would sit on the shelf, although we found some that would come close. The Whirlpool we bought is 11-12 cubic feet and is good enough for the two of us. It is about half the size of the one we had in the S&B, though, so we're having to learn some new habits. When the S&B finally sells we'll make an appointment at Nac for Dave F. to put in cabinets around the new unit. Until then we're talking about what we want.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #21 – August 20, 2014, 05:07:15 pm

I would look at getting a marine fridge. They are usually the same size as motor homes so they should bolt in and i believe there would be more room
in them as there is no propane and they use a compressor. They are more expensive the household fridges but the savings would in the instal

Re: fridge problems

Reply #22 – August 21, 2014, 10:44:49 am

Thanks to all who offered comments and suggestions.
The current status is that the fridge failed shortly after the initial post. I called a service rep and he told me to look for yellow residue which indicated the ammonia was leaking out. Sure enough that was the problem. I think it was a slow leak which would explain why the fridge was not cooling well for quite awhile beforehand. If I had known to look for that earlier I probably would have spotted the leak some time ago. But I'm probably lucky that it failed finally without causing a fire.
So I'm in Bismarck ND going shopping today for a small dorm type fridge to keep me going until I get someplace, probably Texas, where I can get it replaced. Right now I'm leaning toward the smaller but narrower one that would fit in the space above the cabinet. John Haygarth's installation with the shorter fridge and the cabinet alongside looks great. Would love to have something like that.
From what I've seen here on the forum I think there is a Whirlpool and a Haier model that might fit, so I'm looking for current model numbers that are available at this time.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #23 – August 21, 2014, 11:21:42 am

We used the Haier, and have been happy. See my prior posts (with photos) on this if you're interested. I don't yet have the side sliding pantry, but will some day.

Re: fridge problems

Reply #24 – August 21, 2014, 11:45:11 am

I used a different Haier - bad reviews but so far so good....

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