Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

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Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

November 10, 2016, 03:15:58 pm

We are just getting the last things sorted out to leave Canada for the SW USA in our 1997 FT U320 36ft , and at the last minute our Dometic NDR 1292 SxS fridge is now history. Cooling unit is gone. Hoping for some advice to confirm what I know, or suggest a different direction. We can muddle along for a while on canned stuff, but need to get a working fridge, prefer sooner rather than later.

So we are, I understand, down to a new fridge or replace the cooling unit. The only SxS door fridges I can find in Dometic or Norcold that are close replacements (including the Dometic RM 1350), are all three inches or more taller than the existing opening height. Units with less height have WAY less cubic feet, and are narrow.The close replacements would involve lowering the shelf the fridge sits on, modifying the cupboard below, and relocating things like the washer/dryer connections. I think we'd also loose the nice wood door fronts from the existing fridge.

We would then have an all new fridge, which would not look as nice, loose some cabinet space, and cost a LOT of money.

The alternative of a new cooling unit instead looks attractive, but then there could be problems with other parts of the old fridge. What are the risk factors there? The easier job, keeping the original look and configuration, and the savings, are worth considering. What DON'T I know about the cooling unit option?

My reading so far suggests getting an aftermarket cooling unit (new preferred over rebuilt?). I have found the RVCool unit and the Amish unit. I also found the ARP control, which seems like a good idea to my refrigeration uneducated brain. Which unit(s) to choose, and which suppliers?

I also have the problem of where to get whatever work is chosen actually done. Too late to wait around here to get an unwinterized FT unit worked on, and besides, we want to get stateside. Any recommendations for a good RV repair place on the way between Winnipeg, Manitoba and Carlsbad, NM - preferably in SE New Mexico, SW Kansas or West Texas?

Hoping to hear from whoever of you has any answers for me. Thanks.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #1 – November 10, 2016, 03:30:19 pm

Personally, I would recommend a counter-depth residential refrigerator. Replacing the Dometic, first in our 1996 and then when we bought our 2003 was probably my top priority item and best thing done to the coach. IMHO

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #2 – November 10, 2016, 03:38:47 pm

A pic of the fridge would help. We have a fresher Dometic 3962 , but I have no files on what the PO had to do for the retro. Suffice to say, it looks "like "factory". I have tried "repairs" on previous Dometics, and they lasted a year, if that. Dometic made what was called, "The Classic", that was a slip-in replacement, for older units, no clue if they're still made, or if they fit your coach. Bottom line: buy a fresh one, Dometics are good products.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #3 – November 10, 2016, 03:39:11 pm

Quote from: Gayle McNeece – November 10, 2016, 03:30:19 pm

Personally, I would recommend a counter-depth residential refrigerator. Replacing the Dometic, first in our 1996 and then when we bought our 2003 was probably my top priority item and best thing done to the coach. IMHO

Thanks Gail, I should have mentioned that we do more boondocking than having shore power, so the propane option is still big on our list.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #4 – November 10, 2016, 04:16:44 pm

Quote from: mike leary – November 10, 2016, 03:38:47 pm

I have tried "repairs" on previous Dometics, and they lasted a year, if that.

Mike, did you use Dometic repair parts, or aftermarket? What I'm reading is that some of the aftermarket stuff is built better, so lasts, but I have no actual experience. The model I mentioned is apparently the only close-sized Dometic still available as a replacement for our side-by-side door fridge.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #5 – November 10, 2016, 04:34:00 pm

Someone removed a good 7832 and had it for sale here for $400

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #6 – November 10, 2016, 04:39:38 pm

You could search for my posts here regarding having our cooling unit replaced by the Amish in Shipshewana, Indiana in May 2013. We've been very pleased with the results.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #7 – November 10, 2016, 04:41:36 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – November 10, 2016, 04:34:00 pm

Someone removed a good 7832 and had it for sale here for $400

Sold. I took a deposit on it last week and removed the ad. Will re-post if the deal falls through.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #8 – November 10, 2016, 04:42:17 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – November 10, 2016, 04:34:00 pm

Someone removed a good 7832 and had it for sale here for $400

Great price! No longer posted though that I can find. I'm guessing you favour an Amish unit as a replacement? I'm hoping they do well at surviving a while. Thanks in advance for any comments you may have.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #9 – November 10, 2016, 04:45:39 pm

Quote from: SunRambler Jack – November 10, 2016, 04:16:44 pm

Mike, did you use Dometic repair parts, or aftermarket?

If there is a lag with FT, it's they used different stuff on coaches of the same era. I have talked with the nice people at Dometic, and they may suggest, not only a replacement #, but a factory authorized outlet along the road where a fresh one can be waiting for you. I'd keep the propane option, the newer ones run on the road under propane, no more 3-way fridges!

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #10 – November 10, 2016, 05:07:05 pm

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – November 10, 2016, 04:39:38 pm

You could search for my posts here regarding having our cooling unit replaced by the Amish in Shipshewana, Indiana in May 2013. We've been very pleased with the results.

Thanks for the comments David. The posts on the old topic were helpful. I just checked and learned that going to the factory, which IS a good option, would add about 1200 miles to our trip, so the virtues of a factory install fade a bit as we live a long way west of Ohio <grin>. Sounds like if installed right, it is a good unit. Thanks!

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #11 – November 10, 2016, 05:13:57 pm

jack
if the okanogan in b.c. is not to far out of your way, check out hillstreet propane
in enderby b.c. imho they are the best in the business of cooling unit repair.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #12 – November 10, 2016, 05:14:06 pm

Quote from: mike leary – November 10, 2016, 04:45:39 pm

If there is a lag with FT, it's they used different stuff on coaches of the same era. I have talked with the nice people at Dometic, and they may suggest, not only a replacement #, but a factory authorized outlet along the road where a fresh one can be waiting for you. I'd keep the propane option, the newer ones run on the road under propane, no more 3-way fridges!

Thanks Mike. I will get a message off to Dometic and see what they say. I had a 3 way fridge in my camper back in the '70s, and a dead battery more than once, when I parked & forgot to turn the selector switch to off. Understand people using domestic fridges, but for us, propane is important. Until we get (not likely) a small lightweight high capacity lithium battery bank and a roof full of solar, we want to have a propane fridge option.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #13 – November 10, 2016, 05:20:59 pm

Quote from: wayne m – November 10, 2016, 05:13:57 pm

jack
if the okanogan in b.c. is not to far out of your way, check out hillstreet propane
in enderby b.c. imho they are the best in the business of cooling unit repair.

Hi Wayne, thanks for the idea, but not an option. The Okanagon is way too far west for a Manitoba couple heading for New Mexico to start, and we don't have the legally required snow tires, so the extra cost to get them to travel to Beautiful BC this time of year would be astronomical.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #14 – November 10, 2016, 07:47:49 pm

Hi all, thanks so far!

Does anybody have any experience with the RVCool cooling unit?

Has anybody used the ARP Control unit to prevent overheating in the boiler?

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #15 – November 10, 2016, 09:02:06 pm

While I have not used the ARP Control unit, the science is very sound. It does a much more precise job of controlling the cooling process such that boiler overheating does not occur.

And, overheating can occur from just sitting off-level for a few minutes, driving up or down a long grade......

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #16 – November 10, 2016, 09:13:12 pm

RV Cooling Unit Warehouse sells the Amish units. Call or email with David Force and he might be able to give you the name of an installer on your travel route.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #17 – November 11, 2016, 06:18:44 am

I did the RV cooling unit w/ARP summer of 2014. It has worked fine since. I had it shipped to Alaska and installed it myself. For me, it was a full day job on the install. Best choice cost wise even including shipping to AK vice other options at AK prices.

It has worked fine since then. If you do it, I'd suggest a NEW electric element. My old one that I reused failed about a year later. Not a big deal to replace.

Rich

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #18 – November 11, 2016, 08:35:27 am

We too self-installed the Amish Cooling Unit from Cooling Warehouse. It was a bit of a job but, probably 8 hours total, but not near as hard as I had expected. The trick for me was that I purchased a hydraulic lift cart, 500 lb. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart, from Harbor Freight to get the fridge out and back in without hurting my back. With the doors removed two people with younger backs can probably handle the weight of the fridge without the purchase of the cart. I also got very good customer service on questions during the install.

By using the new Amish Cooling unit we avoided having to take out a window or something to bring in a new fridge. I just took off the two doors, spread cardboard from the cooling unit box on the wood floor and laid the fridge down on the floor to work on it. I was able to handle the weight of the new cooling unit without problems. Its a year now and the new cooling unit works great. I also installed two of the cooling fans from Cooling Warehouse for the back of the fridge.

Go for it.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #19 – November 11, 2016, 10:24:13 am

I had a ARP Control unit installed on my refrigerator and it works.
I have found that if I am off level for a while it will shut the refrigerator off, as it is supposed to.
I think a good safety device.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #20 – November 11, 2016, 10:30:58 am

Yes, a good safety device, but at least as importantly, it turn off the burner before boiler temperatures rise to where the chromate precipitates, causing degradation of the cooling capacity. Then it restarts the burner automatically.

Basically, a lot more precise control of the cooling process.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #21 – November 11, 2016, 07:11:22 pm

Thank you Brett, T-Man, Rich, Kent & Eric.

Just checking here briefly after a day where Nancy and I shared both public and private observance of Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the USA), to honour our family members and personal friends, living and dead, who served with Canadian and American armed forces from World War II through to Afghanistan, as well as acknowledging the service of all veterans and current serving men and women.

Tomorrow, back to the coach issue and what we need to do to get on the road south, but today we took time out. We follow the words often quoted by the Royal Canadian Legion, of which we are proud members:

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

More on the fridge issue tomorrow. The above is not on topic, but worth saying, I feel, and also explains my absence today from the forum. Please forgive the digression. Thanks again to all for the new input. -Jack

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #22 – November 12, 2016, 04:40:07 pm

SO......lots of positive feedback on the ARP Control unit, good to hear.

Lots of positive feed back on installing an Amish cooling unit.

Thanks for all the help.

No comments posted on the RVCool unit, positive or negative. That makes me shy of keeping them in consideration. Does anybody have any experience or comment on them?

Thanks,
Jack

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #23 – November 12, 2016, 05:36:42 pm

I have one at present having had it installed last year, and I also put one in a Monaco we owned. Both units worked as advertised from day one. The Monaco unit was running perfectly when I sold it four years later.

Get two fans put in with separate on/off switches, that way you can run just one, and if it's real hot you can turn on the other fan if you need to, plus you've got a spare to fall back on if one goes south. To change out a fan you need to at least move the reefer into the coach, or remove it from it's cabinet to gain access, but with a spare fan all you have to do is flip the switch.

Re: Dead Dometic Fridge-What next? 1997 FT U320 36ft

Reply #24 – November 12, 2016, 06:52:35 pm

If I can keep the current (1492?) fridge going will see if someone in Nac can do the cooling unit swap and add the fans & the ARP Control next spring when we bring the coach down there for the stuff @ Extreme.... 90% of our outings are dry camping, so gotta keep the propane option.

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