Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: refrigerator replacement (Read 2417 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #25 –
Another option if your refrigerator box is good and the cooling unit is not is to replace the cooling unit with a 12 volt compressor cooling unit from JC Refrigeration.  We have had ours since February and it is working great.  The old cooling unit was removed and replaced with the 12 volt unit, no propane to worry about so no fire potential.  It is the same Dometic box we had before, so we are used to the size.  Same doors so no issue with how to keep the doors from flying open as  we travel.  I love that I don't have to be concerned about being level all the time even for quick pit stops.  The kit also came with a set of refrigerator fin fans- so our refrigerator has been frost free since installation.

Look it up on the JC Refrigeration site and call JR to ask your questions- be sure they have  a unit for your model refrigerator.  Ours was the basic 2 door Dometic .  I had a mobile service guy install mine as we were in Yuma at the time but this time of year I would drive up to Shipshewana, IN and have it installed at the factory.  It comes with a 3 year warranty and I bought another 3 year warranty so I have 6 years of warranty on the unit.

Check it out and do what makes you happy.                      ^.^d
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #26 –
Here is  a option that I have been pondering if I need to do much to my fridge.  Has anyone tried this?

JC Refrigeration
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #28 –
When I replaced mine I went with a Bosch 22cuft cabinet depth SS side by side.
I removed the passenger seat and the grab handle by the front door of the coach, removed the fridge doors, and brought it in the front door (about 300#). I have a 95 with the narrow front door.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #29 –
There are lots of options.  The JC Refrigeration 12 volt or 120 volt options work if the size and configuration of your existing refrigerator works for you and the refrigerator case and seals are in good shape.  The refrigerator in our 2001 U320 had a side by side configuration with a freezer section that was pretty much useless for our needs. 

The power used by either of the JC Refrigeration compressor driven options (12v or 120v) is about the same amount of power as our 19 cu ft Samsung based on actual Forum user measurements. (about 1600 watts per day or 125 amp hrs per day, more with ice makers)  In any of these options, power has to come from somewhere; batteries, inverter, generator or landline.  Be realistic in your understanding how your coach will deal with this additional power load. 

For us a residential refrigerator was a good choice.  Much more refrigerator space, a much bigger freezer, a significant new additional usable storage space.  For us the actual cost of the refrigerator was partly offset by selling the Dometic.  Setting the labor costs aside (we did it all ourselves) our out of pocket costs were much less than a conversion unit and provided a much greater benefit for us.

What works best for you is based on your needs.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #30 –
We replaced our Dometic (about 9 cu ft) with an 18 cu ft Samsung and have been extremely pleased. The Samsung fits the width and depth of the existing opening perfectly but is taller and so I needed to eliminate the small cabinent below it. In every respect (at least for us) it has been a dramatic improvement and the only regret is that I didn't do it eatlier.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #31 –
Did some troubleshooting today. I checked the thermistor and that checked out OK. I shortrd
the thermistor terminals at the dinasaur board and still no cooling on the refrigerator side. No fridge cooling with our without the thermistor on propane or electric. Freezer alwayd cold. Looks like the board may be bad. Going to try s new one.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #32 –
Propane fridges cool by heating solution and having it flow through orifice. First flow through freezer and then fridge. This is a plumbing situation.

Circuit board controls gas valve & 120 volt heating elements and have no say so on differentiating between cooling freezer or fridge compartments. Board is just on or off heating. There is only one heating system, not one for fridge and one for freezer.

Sounds like heating & control board are working ok.

Some would say there is a plumbing blockage between freezer & fridge that could be resolved by removing fridge and turning it upside down for a while.

If fridge is older, maybe time to replace backside plumbing & heating unit. Figure with your dry camping electric is out, but a 10cu ft electric fridge from Lowe's could be $300-$400 and with it never have to defrost.

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #33 –
Barry after further thought I agree with your analysis. Kenhat suggested I isolate the fridge and provide power directly to the AC heater. (Ken  call's it a cheap trick) I did that and let it run overnight. Both sides are cold. This AM I returned the unit to the original configuration and am running it on AC just took make sure it holds. If it holds OK I will switch to propane and see how that goes. If all is well it will stay on.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #34 –
Hey Roland,

Good to see that trick worked for you. That means the coils are good. If it's not cooling when you have it back together I'd say it's your controller. Hopefully when you get it back together it will just work.

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #35 –
Instructions for making "the trick". Take an extension cord cut in half. Crimp on some spade lugs. Done.  ^.^d See pic.

Unplug your electric heater from the controller board. Connect to the spade lugs. Plug in cord. What this does is bypass the controller so your heater is running 24/7. This is obviously something you want to keep a close eye on. I use an IR gun to keep a close check on the coil temperature. Be sure to check that the electric heater(s) are working. After they have been on for a while you should be able to feel heat through the insulation and see temp in the low 100ºs on the coils. I ran mine for 48 hours once and the hottest I saw was 129º. YMMV

If after 24 hours the fridge is not down at least to the high 30ºs your coils are probably shot.

If you are not electrically inclined do not attempt without adult supervision.  >:D

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #36 –
If you still have the Norcold 682,just researched and RV cooling unit warehouse near Memphis has an Amish upgrade.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #37 –
Roland, wonderful you have your fridge back, now go have fun, enough of these many coach problems.

Ken your specialized fridge fix is easy to make and will keep a lot of ice cream ready when needed.

Re: refrigerator replacement

Reply #38 –
Quote from: kenhat –
Instructions for making "the trick". Take an extension cord cut in half. Crimp on some spade lugs. Done.  ^.^d See pic
If you are not electrically inclined do not attempt without adult supervision.  >:D
see ya
ken
Great tip!!!!

P
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)