Ammonia smell in refrigerator

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Ammonia smell in refrigerator

July 17, 2019, 10:54:27 am

While the fridge is empty, I keep it running on shore power. This morning I opened it and noticed a faint ammonia odor inside. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Mike

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #1 – July 17, 2019, 11:00:24 am

Probably means it's time to replace the refrigerator!

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #2 – July 17, 2019, 11:11:34 am

It sounds like a leak- remove the outside cover and check for the yellowish powder on coils, etc. If it is, shut the refrigerator down and explore options for replacing either the cooling unit or the whole refrigerator. What option you choose should be determined by how you like to use your coach, how much, cost, etc.. Lots of discussions on the forums- use your search button.

Good luck.........................

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #3 – July 17, 2019, 11:15:33 am

Refrigerator is toast. Turn it off leave it off and do not run it on propane unless you want to collect the motorhome's insurance value.

Roland

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #4 – July 17, 2019, 11:18:41 am

Quote from: Roland Begin – July 17, 2019, 11:15:33 am

Refrigerator is toast. Turn it off leave it off and do not run it on propane unless you want to collect the motorhome's insurance value.

Roland

Correct. Running it how will likely CAUSE A FIRE.

Time to decide: residential, new absorption refrigerator or new/rebuilt cooling unit in old one. No "one answer is correct for everyone"-- depends on how you use your coach as well as budget.

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #5 – July 17, 2019, 12:00:37 pm

We dry camp most of the time and love our Norcold propane fridge. If you stay at campgrounds with juice, you may favor residential fridges.

If installing a absorption unit and while the fridge is out, install backerboard in the compartment so you don't have to worry about your coach burning up.

Pierce

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #6 – July 17, 2019, 12:29:26 pm

Thanks for the info. Fridge is turned off and am researching options.
Mike

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #7 – July 17, 2019, 12:39:33 pm

Quote from: Yetch – July 17, 2019, 12:29:26 pm

Thanks for the info. Fridge is turned off and am researching options.

Only you can determine what's best for your needs, but we have been extremely glad we switched to our Samsung RF18 refrigerator. The improved cooling and storage capacity are real blessings!

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #8 – July 17, 2019, 12:43:53 pm

Last time I had a fridge re-built it LASTED A YEAR!

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #9 – July 17, 2019, 12:57:03 pm

Quote from: mike leary – July 17, 2019, 12:43:53 pm

Last time I had a fridge re-built it LASTED A YEAR!

Our new Amish cooling unit did a little better: It lasted almost five years. Happy to switch to our Samsung!

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #10 – July 17, 2019, 01:01:36 pm

As our coach is build 5132 I am watching this thread closely.

I assume you and I both have a Dometic rm 7832 32" wide side by side refer.

I was not a home refer fan.

That being said we remodeled our sticks and bricks homes kitchen and part of the work was new appliances.

We installed a 4 door Samsung counter depth refer.

I can see why a lot of owners here like their Samsung refer. The separate compressors for the two side are variable speed trick technology and the temp never varies from zero in the freezer and 37 in the refer.

Produce lasts longer at 70% humidity like commercial users use.

As we were running the under coach Dometic chest refer always while out on the road the actual power use difference to run a rf-18 might be 75 amp hours a day and leave the chest refer off unless really needed.

Fairly easy to add more solar on roof to replace the used up amp hours.

We purchased a portable inverter/li-ion power generator with a 50 amp hour internal capacity and added two 100 watt portable 18% efficiency solar panels to recharge it. They normally put out around 6 amps of 12 volt into their unit each so if I wanted to take the time to set up this system it could add the added amp hours back into the system this residential refer should consume.

The little power generator has a 20 amp 13.24 volt front panel output built in. Solar input in the units back and output from its batteries and the solar recharge coming in can augment our 14 amp existing solar setup temporarily.

IF the Samsung did not do such a noticeably better job of keeping things cold I would not have considered this change out as our Dometic works fine.

We are continuing our slow prepper setup and other than its out of the cabinet ugliness I would be tempted to keep the removed Dometic around as it still works. A propane tank and a pressure regulator and 12 volt would allow it to run free standing or in a cabinet of some kind.

The lord help us in shakey town(LA) if we actually needed this setup. Hopefully not.

The other choice was a jc refrigeration replacement coil setup. The local trailer supply guy does them regularly with good results. Apparently much increased cooling power.

As a prepper the no noise low power consumption absorption refer is a good choice.

If you have enough batteries and solar to offset the 125 amp hours average use per day the choices are easier.

The 7832 is fairly wimpy for cooling food. The jc seems to have added quite a bit of additional cooling.

The taller Samsung has much larger capacity.

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #11 – July 17, 2019, 01:10:41 pm

When we first purchased our U320 the Dometic refrigerator seemed to be cooling well. After it later failed I had JC Refrigeration install one of their units. Their "Amish Cooling Unit" didn't seem to cool any better than had the previous unit beforeit failed. Our Samsung provides far better cooling. The RF18 fits width and depth perfectly, with the cabinet below needing to be removed for height. As I have stated before we would never want to back to an absorption refrigerator.

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #12 – July 17, 2019, 01:52:42 pm

If you like your refrigerator, go with a new cooling unit.

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #13 – July 17, 2019, 02:55:57 pm

Why is the Samsung RF18 the model of choice for replacement?
Mike

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #14 – July 17, 2019, 03:10:53 pm

Quote from: Yetch – July 17, 2019, 02:55:57 pm

Why is the Samsung RF18 the model of choice for replacement?
Mike

It is a counter-depth model and fits the width and depth of our existing opening perfectly. Had to remove the cabinent below and lower the shelf it sits on. It seems to be very energy efficient.

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #15 – July 17, 2019, 04:08:03 pm

Quote from: Yetch – July 17, 2019, 02:55:57 pm

Why is the Samsung RF18 the model of choice for replacement?
Mike

Best thing we did to our coach was replace the Dometic with the Samsung RF18! A stop over at Chris Lang's home and his most gracious expertise and help, we removed the Dometic through the front door and brought the new Samsung through the same way. Filled in one side with a modified 2x6 and walnut trim and it looks like it is built in. Some have added a small storage on the side with doors. Either way, very happy!

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #16 – July 17, 2019, 04:08:34 pm

I installed Samsung RF20HFENBSR which is 2 inches deeper, with same width dimensions, easily fit thru window, with refrigerator doors removed.

2 cu ft more or 2 inches deeper may not seem like alot, however it is. No regrets, installed one year ago. My wife tells everyone this is her favorite upgrade.

Since refrigerator protrudes two inches from original cabinet, placed 2 inch X one inch walnut bull nose trim around edge, looks like refrigerator was installed when rv was new.

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #17 – July 17, 2019, 04:41:55 pm

Quote from: Jack Lewis – July 17, 2019, 04:08:34 pm

I installed Samsung RF20HFENBSR which is 2 inches deeper, with same width dimensions, easily fit thru window, with refrigerator doors removed.

2 cu ft more or 2 inches deeper may not seem like alot, however it is. No regrets, installed one year ago. My wife tells everyone this is her favorite upgrade.

Since refrigerator protrudes two inches from original cabinet, placed 2 inch X one inch walnut bull nose trim around edge, looks like refrigerator was installed when rv was new.

Each couple's preferences are different, but we are thankful we didn't go with the deeper model. The additional intrusion into the hallway area in front of the refrigerator (which is where we access the large pantry) would make it less convenient for us. The 18 cu ft of space is about twice what we had before, and the pull-out freezer drawer is far more useful than was the tall, narrow freezer in the Dometic.

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #18 – July 17, 2019, 05:59:41 pm

Not to be a negative Nancy, but reviews for Samsung service and this model rf18 are all over the map. Yes my dometic 3807 is chugging along carefully.

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #19 – July 17, 2019, 06:09:31 pm

Quote from: Saltfevr – July 17, 2019, 05:59:41 pm

Not to be a negative Nancy, but reviews for Samsung service and this model rf18 are all over the map. Yes my dometic 3807 is chugging along carefully.

I've read about this before, but I don't recall any bad experiences about any Samsung refrigerators in motorhome use. I believe at least a few members here have had their units in service 24/7 for several years. Definitely would like to see input from others here.

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #20 – July 17, 2019, 06:30:24 pm

9 years, no issues.

Tim Fiedler
Gen-Pro.biz
630 240-9139

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #21 – July 17, 2019, 06:30:38 pm

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – July 17, 2019, 06:09:31 pm

I believe at least a few members here have had their units in service 24/7 for several years. Definitely would like to see input from others here.

Our Samsung RF18 was installed at FOT on Sept 25, 2014 and has been running 24/7 since that date. We never turn it off. It is either powered by shore power or by our Magnum MS2812 - depending on where the coach is parked. It has never skipped a beat.

Our Days Spent in Remodel Shop

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #22 – July 17, 2019, 08:17:52 pm

If you do decide to remove and replace the old unit, and you get the great idea to cut the coils off of the back side with a grinder to make the removal easier/possible by yourself, I urge you to rethink your strategy. Instant explosion, flash fire and ammonia ejects into the face & lungs. Don't ask me how I know. To quote Forest Gump "That's all I got to say about that."

Larry

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #23 – July 18, 2019, 06:35:22 am

I have been interested in this ref at home depot. Have not looked at availability yet, but its a nice size. Maybe someone would try it out?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unique-13-cu-ft-370-l-Solar-DC-Top-Freezer-Refrigerator-Danfoss-Secop-Compressor-in-Black-UGP-370L-B/306705232

Re: Ammonia smell in refrigerator

Reply #24 – July 18, 2019, 07:59:52 am

Quote from: kathyg – July 18, 2019, 06:35:22 am

I have been interested in this ref at home depot.

Interesting...however...

The price is no bargain - $1700 versus $1100 for the Samsung RF18 (17.5 cu. ft.)

Roger did a in-depth analysis of his residential (Samsung) fridge power consumption. Reading through the thread linked below will offer some comparison between this DC fridge and the Samsung. I see very little real advantage (in average energy usage) to this particular DC powered fridge, except for the fact that you don't need a inverter running to power it when dry camping. (Installing a small, efficient dedicated inverter to power a residential fridge will minimize this factor)

Residential fridge energy use (split from Yacht Fridge VS Residential Fridge)

https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/bc/bcac5438-a4d4-48e1-924a-abd210dfbc12.pdf

Call me a lazy sot (its true) but the manual defrosting routine alone (see Owner's Manual link below) would be enough to put me off this unit:

"DEFROSTING THE UNIT The fridge compartment will become progressively covered with frost. When 5mm of frost forms in the freezer, this should be removed with the supplied plastic scraper. This should be removed periodically with a plastic scraper. However, when the ice becomes very thick on the interior walls, complete defrosting should be carried out. Perform this operation when the appliance is empty and disconnected from the power supply."

https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/b9/b9d2dcf8-9fb0-45b0-98ea-b96fa35fbd83.pdf

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