Amish Cooler?

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Amish Cooler?

October 13, 2016, 08:03:19 am

I noticed last night that my gas refrigerator wasn't cooling even though it had a good flame. In the daylight I just looked at it and there's yellow sulphurous looking powder all around the burner which looks to me like it rusted out and lost its charge... sooo... amazingly I'm in Blacksburg VA driving toward Lancaster PA. I've read on this forum that the Amish cooler upgrade is an upgrade in the true sense, that it's actually better than the original Dometic cooler. I presume I can find contact information on the internet somewhere and get this upgrade done by the manufacturer (?) If not maybe they'll suggest a local dealer who is good at installing these coolers. Any experience or helpful information would be appreciated. My refrigerator did NOT catch fire, so please don't turn this thread into that, nor am I ever gonna consider an electric residential refrigerator, so let's not discuss that either. I'm gonna put my frozen food into the ice machine and buy a bag of ice to put into my ice chest for my refrigerated food.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #1 – October 13, 2016, 08:24:46 am

This place has some really strong words to say about how bad his competitor's RV refrigerators are, including the Amish Cooler... Anybody know about this place. He gives a lot of information, which is unusual in today's world.

Learn why so many cooling units fail today and what we are doing about it

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #2 – October 13, 2016, 08:26:12 am

Scott what model does yours have?

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #3 – October 13, 2016, 09:27:05 am

I don't know of any fires caused by Amish cooling units. I have one now that they put in,
and I have put two of them in other coaches myself.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #4 – October 13, 2016, 09:35:41 am

Scott,

Happily you and your coach did not burn up.

I bought a new cooling unit for my 1989 Refrigerator when the original failed, tore apart the refrigerator and decided due to age and condition of rest of unit to just buy a new refrigerator form CW and put it in myself. About $600 more than cooling unit and shipping at the time (10 years ago). So consider a new propane unit as an option. That frees you up to go to your next campground, have ppl or CW ship to the campground and you put it in. Then you have a nationwide manufacturer's warranty for however long they grant with a new purchase.

If possible, buy the unit and have the person who produced the unit put it into the refrigerator for you. Then stay local for a few days if possible to confirm that the refrigerator is cooling correctly with no issues.

Good luck on your journey! keep us informed. I remember when you were struggling with the coach's radiator, glad that is so far behind you now and you like the coach so much.

Thankful that you are safe.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #5 – October 13, 2016, 09:37:00 am

I helped my brother install an Amish unit on his Norcold 3 weeks ago. We then did a 10 day trip to the Sierra's and he is very happy with his. He did a lot of research about the one in your link and the Amish unit. The customer support with the Amish unit sold him. The Amish unit is way better constructed and much heavier.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #6 – October 13, 2016, 09:46:03 am

We had an Amish cooling unit replaced at their factory in Shipshewana Indiana http://rvcoolingunit.com/Default.aspx in May of 2013 and it has performed perfectly since then. I would recommend getting one from them and having them install it.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #7 – October 13, 2016, 09:53:24 am

I have the Dometic RM2820 in my coach. The previous owner told me it's not the original refrigerator but I don't know how old it is. This refrigerator is two way but apparently the original was three way. I called RV Service of Virginia but they haven't returned my call yet. I'm just gonna stay here until I figure out which direction to drive towards. I'm satisfied with the refrigerator and I'd consider having a new cooling unit put in it... or replacing the whole refrigerator... My ice machine is working well as a freezer and I've got my ice chest with me for use as a refrigerator so it's not a big emergency or anything.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #8 – October 13, 2016, 10:05:22 am

My 91 has a RM4804 The litrature says it is a 3 way but it is just a 2 way 120v and LP. It cools great on 120v but not so good on LPI cleaned the flue, cleaned the nozzle, set gas pressure etc Flame looks good,I wonder if maybe my gas solenoid valve on refrigerator might need to be taken off and cleaned. I have looked at this as a replacement when the time comes.
Dometic New Generation RM3962 2-Way Refrigerator, Double Door, 9.0 Cu. Ft. -...

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #9 – October 13, 2016, 10:27:43 am

I believe they, Amish, have now started offering a helium replacement as well.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #10 – October 13, 2016, 10:52:27 am

I called the gentleman in Memphis and also the one in Indiana. They both told me that nobody keeps the Amish Cooler kits in stock. All the RV places order them as needed. I can get one installed at the factory in Indiana on Tuesday at the soonest... or I can drive back to Memphis to have one installed now... I haven't been able to reach the place here in Virginia yet. I guess if they have a new refrigerator in stock and can install it quickly and the price isn't too out of line I may go that route.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #11 – October 13, 2016, 11:25:13 am

I guess the price of a new refrigerator is twice as much as having an Amish cooler installed, so I'll probably go that route. I will live out of an ice chest for a few days in the meantime.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #12 – October 13, 2016, 11:36:15 am

http://rvcoolingunit.com/RM2820-Dometic-Cooling-Unit-P10649.aspx

Dometic RM2820 Brand New Manufactured Cooling Units

http://www.jc-refrigeration.com/brochure/JC-Refrigeration-A-New-Choice-Brochure.pdf

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #13 – October 13, 2016, 07:42:28 pm

Hey thanks for that Stump. I wasn't aware of the Arcticold. Does anyone on this forum have experience with the Arcticold? Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated. I'll call them tomorrow, since I'm going to Maine and they have a warehouse there.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #14 – October 13, 2016, 08:05:22 pm

I believe Hans & Marijet had an Amish unit installed from JC Refridgeration a few years ago. They are very happy with it. That is the route I will go when my original unit dies.

I'm interested to hear what you find out about going the DIY route...sounds like you are considering buying the unit and installing it yourself?

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #15 – October 13, 2016, 08:52:28 pm

The first one we did went smoothly until I sprayed the Great Stuff on the sides of the cavity before setting the cooling unit in place.
Once set and taped I realized that the drain tube wasn't exiting properly so we removed
the tape and the unit. It was then that we discovered that there wasn't enough foam
shot in, leaving voids. The foam they give you has a low expansion rate (like 10%) and the directions stress using very little. When we reassembled it I used a lot more foam by eyeballing and remembering what the first
'go-round' looked like.

The Amish units are good units, without
the Dometic recall "quick-fix" fire prevention
thermostat as proof.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #16 – October 14, 2016, 12:05:11 am

Just trying to get a handle on cost ,
New cooling unit $650 plus delivery
New fridge $1500 plus delivery
Both are self remove / reinstall ??

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #17 – October 14, 2016, 06:55:05 am

It's probably more than $1500 which is a major reason to repair the refrigerator... plus one of those cooling units has a lifetime warranty!

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #18 – October 14, 2016, 07:15:54 am

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – October 14, 2016, 12:05:11 am

Just trying to get a handle on cost ,
New cooling unit $650 plus delivery
New fridge $1500 plus delivery
Both are self remove / reinstall ??

We live near Dayton, Ohio and found it convenient to drive to Shipshewana, Indiana to have the unit installed at the factory. Their installation charge was only about $100 more than the shipping charge would have been. We parked overnight at their factory and then spent an enjoyable day shopping in town while they did the installation. We had the unit installed on Friday, and made the trip a very pleasant "weekend getaway." Yoder's hardware and department stores are excellent places to spend time (and money). There's also a variety of excellent places to eat in the general area. Even if one doesn't need a new cooling unit, that part of Indiana is a very interesting place to visit.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #19 – October 14, 2016, 09:04:46 am

I think I would have to go with the Arcticcold if it was me. Lifetime Warranty,Labor Warranty. Price is in line with the others.
Dometic RM2820 Brand New Manufactured Cooling Units

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #20 – October 14, 2016, 11:07:29 am

Every time we leave home I cross fingers hoping the fridge will keep going

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #21 – October 14, 2016, 11:44:55 am

I bought a new cooling unit from RVCOOLINGUNIT (Amish)for my Dometic RM7832 and installed it myself, it failed after 5 weeks. RVCOOLINGUNIT send a replacement unit at no charge, but it failed after only 5 days. After many phone calls, RVCOOLINGUNIT
was unable to provide advice to me that resulted in a working cooling unit. Here is the email that I sent to RVCOOLINGUNIT:

Fridge is working due to advice from a Canadian propane fridge expert, Steve at Hillside Propane in Enderby, BC, Canada. I phoned Steve because your advice was not resulting in a working cooling unit.

I relayed to Steve the boiler, tank, and coil temperatures experienced and his immediate question was "Is the horizontal freezer U pipe level?" I said "no" because I had noticed that it was not perpendicular to the back of the fridge and bent it up as far as it would stay but it was still 1.25 inches low on the right and .75 inches low on the left. Steve said "the cooling unit will not work if the horizontal freezer U pipe is not level". I used a 6 foot 2x2 and a crow bar to get enough force to level the horizontal freezer tube and attached aluminum angle iron to the side wall of the freezer to keep it level. I then cycled the cooling unit on and off twice before it started working. The fridge has now been working correctly since March 23rd. (AND IS STILL WORKING AFTER 2.5 YEARS).

The horizontal freezer tubes in both of the RVcoolingUNIT cooling units I received were not perpendicular to the back. The second one was farther off level than the first one, and I believe, that is why the first one lasted 5 weeks while second one lasted 5 days. In addition to this, there is no warning in your instructions to assure that the horizontal freezer tubes are level.

You RVcoolingUNIT folks were so wrong about "propane is not hot enough" and that was my intuition. I asked you "why did fridge work for 5 weeks and 5 days on propane? You could not answer that question, but your advice kept focussing on "propane not hot enouigh". Steve just asked me, "Can you hear the propane flame from outside the coach and did you make sure that the chimney diffuser was in place?" He told me that he did not believe that this cooling unit was not working because propane was not hot enough.

Your inability to determine the real problem with your cooling unit cost me at least 100 aggravating hours over a period of a month.
I am certain that the chemicals inside your cooling unit have been damaged by excess heat which will shorten the life of this cooling unit. You offer a ten year warrantee on this cooling unit for $250. Under the circumstances, I am asking you to provide the ten year warrantee to me at no charge. I fully expect that if this cooling unit had not been damaged by excess heat that it would have had a service life of 15 years. Now, I have no way of predicting what the service life will be.

I NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #22 – October 14, 2016, 12:05:01 pm

If you will replace your cooling unit yourself, note that it is critical that the cooling unit is completely sealed against the rest of the refrigerator and that the door seal is not leaking. Absorption cooling units DO NOT have as much cooling ability as a residential compressor type refrigerator, such that even a very small hole from outside to inside the refer will cause inside temperature to be too high. The silver lined manila board on the cooling unit was 2 inches wider then the foam insulation, so I cut it off at the foam. I added another tube to the spray foam tube so it would reach farther toward the refer interior.
Installing a cooling unit successfully is not as easy as the instructions provided indicate.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #23 – October 14, 2016, 01:36:20 pm

Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin – October 14, 2016, 11:44:55 am

I NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.

I've not liked to take the time (and spelling effort) to send "hate mail", but in business and pleasure, if I feel wronged, someone's going to hear about it! I guess what gauls me, Is I end up knowing more about something than I ever wanted to learn! Well done, Wyatt.

Re: Amish Cooler?

Reply #24 – October 14, 2016, 02:12:48 pm

Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin – October 14, 2016, 12:05:01 pm

Installing a cooling unit successfully is not as easy as the instructions provided indicate.

That's one of the reasons why I would highly recommend having the replacement unit installed at the factory. The difference in cost is very low (consider the cost of driving there just the cost of taking another enjoyable trip) and the factory personnel can be held responsible for the proper installation and performance.

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