Time to replace refrigerator?

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Time to replace refrigerator?

June 17, 2022, 05:01:03 pm

My coach is nearly 23 years old (2000) and as far as I know the Dometic "New Dimensions" NDR 1062 refrigerator is original to the coach. I've been fortunate in that I have not had any issues with it and it keeps everything cold. I know the day will come that it stops doing that and I think it would be better to replace it at home rather than on the road.
Before going to the expense of a replacement, should I have any expectation that it would last many more years? At the very least, I would have it professionally serviced, and install an APR (heat sensor/shut off) but don't want to put money into it if replacing it is inevitable in the near future.
Does anyone know what a suitable replacement would be for this model? Thanks

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #1 – June 17, 2022, 05:15:10 pm

Are you interested in another absorption refrigerator? residential refrigerator?

The answer really depends on how you use your coach and how it is equipped electrically. Both have distinct advantages/disadvantages.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #2 – June 17, 2022, 05:15:51 pm

Quote from: Sven and Kristi – June 17, 2022, 05:01:03 pm

My coach is nearly 23 years old (2000) and as far as I know the Dometic "New Dimensions" NDR 1062 refrigerator is original to the coach. I've been fortunate in that I have not had any issues with it and it keeps everything cold. I know the day will come that it stops doing that and I think it would be better to replace it at home rather than on the road.
Before going to the expense of a replacement, should I have any expectation that it would last many more years? At the very least, I would have it professionally serviced, and install an APR (heat sensor/shut off) but don't want to put money into it if replacing it is inevitable in the near future.
Does anyone know what a suitable replacement would be for this model? Thanks

I have been very happy with a replacement refrigeration unit from JC Refrigeration. If the box (door, seals, etc.) are still in good shape and you want to stick with the propane option, the replacement unit is a good choice.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #3 – June 17, 2022, 06:13:28 pm

The Dometic fridge that was in our coach failed a year or two before we purchased it in 2008. Our U300 is a 1993 model but was made in late 1992 so the fridge lasted somewhere between 15 and 17 years. The PO said they suddenly smelled an ammonia odor and quickly exited the coach. They bought a new Tiffin after the failure so ours sat for a couple of years before we bought it. I had a new Norcold in the garage just the exact size so it fit in with only the fridge floor modification and the fire resistive backerboard . It's been working fine since 2008 so keeping fingers crossed. If and when it goes bad, we will repair it as our normal use is dry/boondock camping.

The wood area around the outside fridge access cover was rotted from moisture so a good thing to inspect before or during repair/installation.

Pierce

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #4 – June 17, 2022, 07:12:25 pm

Hey Sven,
I immediately installed the APR when we first bought the coach about six years ago. I wanted a safety net with such an old propane unit. If you spend time on their website, you will discover that it isn't just " plug and play". Also, the owner of the company is difficult to deal with. He is a very smart man, and expects others to be as smart. The last conversation we had, regarding the unit shutting down our fridge, resulted in my turning the unit off.
We also had JC Refrigeration update our cooling system. If I remember correctly, it cost in the neighborhood of $1500 +/-
The seals on our unit always seemed to allow air in, especially in the freezer, resulting in Amy having to defrost the freezer often. She was no fun to be around on those days.
So.......we just decided to pull our unit out, RM 8212?? and I am getting the space ready for a 13.9 cf Frigidaire that will arrive July 11th. We went this route because Amy does't want to give up the big drawer under the fridge.
I have always had a fear of a fire at the fridge. We think we are making the right decision, and would recommend you consider going electric.
Just my two cents

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #5 – June 17, 2022, 08:08:02 pm

I agree-- absorption refrigerator? You need ARP for both safety and longevity of your cooling unit.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #6 – June 17, 2022, 09:16:38 pm

Glen, you Think, we Know you are making the right decision. Every propane fridge with or without APR overheat shutdown, is a potential fire hazard that many are willing to risk. The only problem with electric fridges is it keeps ice cream hard all the time, which can mean all the ice cream you want.

Wonderful gift to have a safer fridge that auto defrosts. Interesting that you tried all the popular options before making the best move.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #7 – June 18, 2022, 09:11:36 am

To each his own on this decision. We boondock 90% of the time so a residential all electric fridge is not practical for us without a serious battery upgrade and solar panel installation. Which I don't plan on doing unless we go to "full timers" , which we won't do because of our farm,. Ours is used for vacations and short trips on holidays.

Many may disagree but it's my opinion that if a absorption fridge is maintained and serviced properly, installation of the ARP system a plus, the risk are very low. Its more dangerous just driving the overcrowded interstates.

I have installed the ARP, the Dometic boiler protection upgrade has been done that was recommended years ago and my plans are to line the compartment with hardy board in the near future as Pierce has done.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #8 – June 18, 2022, 09:14:17 am

We liked the auto switch to gas when electric wasn't available
I hated having the fridge between bedroom and exit
Was ALWAYS concerned about fire potential
Now, I'll be able to sleep better
Barry installed residential along time ago
He gave us a tour of his coach at Quartzite

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #9 – June 18, 2022, 09:28:37 am

Lots of choices here, for whatever works best for you.

We replaced our OEM absorption cooling unit with a JC refrigeration system and added an ARP for piece of mind. This worked ok but we were constantly thinking and worrying about it. If that side of the coach was in the sun the fridge struggled to stay cold, often hovering around 50F.

In the back of our minds we always thought about the fire risk and we just got tired of dealing with it.

A year ago we switched to residential and have never looked back. We have 20% more capacity in the freezer and fridge in the same footprint. It's been a year and it's been perfect. We don't boondock much but can go 8-10 hours with having to fire up the generator. We run it on our two 8D AGM batteries on a separate, small inverter.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #10 – June 18, 2022, 09:32:58 am

Quote from: GleamB – June 17, 2022, 07:12:25 pm

Hey Sven,
I immediately installed the APR when we first bought the coach about six years ago. I wanted a safety net with such an old propane unit. If you spend time on their website, you will discover that it isn't just " plug and play". Also, the owner of the company is difficult to deal with. He is a very smart man, and expects others to be as smart. The last conversation we had, regarding the unit shutting down our fridge, resulted in my turning the unit off.

I genuinely think the ARP is great. Wish I was smart enough to keep it working. Although "it" is a great idea, unless you can speak his language and understand his theory of programming it the hours of attempting to learn "it" just piss me off. I got way too many other things I want to do or need to do. A simple level switch would meet my needs and eventually I'll build one. Out of level and it shuts down, simple as that. Or install his unit preprogrammed would also be fine. Till then "it" is unusable to me. Think I'm more disappointed with myself than his mouse trap.

Scott

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #11 – June 18, 2022, 10:15:08 am

Scott,
Totally agree. I have spoken with him about three times. The last conversation got a little testy. He asked me where I bought HIS unit. He, apparently, didn't like the answer, which was from one of his distributors, if I remember......or him??!!?
He stopped communicating with me, even as I was on the phone with him, following his instructions. It should be MUCH simpler.
Great concept, though.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #12 – June 18, 2022, 10:21:47 am

My ARP never worked right.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #13 – June 18, 2022, 10:29:40 am

I purchased an ARP for the original Dometic unit, worked as advertised. Fast forward to 2016, new JC cooling unit, ARP older version will not work on Amish Cooling unit, due to higher start up temp spike. Purchased a new updated version from the owner in Quartzsite. Can not get it work correctly, it will shut the fridge off but will not let it restart. Paul is not much help, and his web site is hard to navigate

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #14 – June 18, 2022, 10:34:22 am

If we park for lunch, photo, store, etc and the coach is more than a tiny bit off level, we shut down the fridge on the way out.

I'm sure others here viewed the photo of the failure of the accessory safety unit tat failed to work destroying a coach. Wish I had saved the image.

Pierce

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #15 – June 18, 2022, 10:55:06 am

I put in a residential fridge right after I bought this coach and I boondock 99 percent of
the time. I had a Norcold in the last coach and that was enough for me. The Dometic fridge
in this coach worked fine in fact my son has it in a off grid cabin an it works great. I like the
fact that the fridge works great off level.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #16 – June 18, 2022, 11:31:46 am

As many know, we installed a Samsung 18cu. residential and have never looked back. Also, sold our old Dometic, as it was still working. There are many out there that are potential buyers for these. When we boondock, I just fire up the gen, as it needs to be exercised anyway! We don't worry about the coach being out of level, the fridge works and keeps everything cold. A huge shout out to Chris Lang for his help installing the new unit and his wonderful craftsmanship on the trim, etc.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #17 – June 18, 2022, 12:43:33 pm

Quote from: bbeane – June 18, 2022, 10:29:40 am

I purchased an ARP for the original Dometic unit, worked as advertised. Fast forward to 2016, new JC cooling unit, ARP older version will not work on Amish Cooling unit, due to higher start up temp spike. Purchased a new updated version from the owner in Quartzsite. Can not get it work correctly, it will shut the fridge off but will not let it restart. Paul is not much help, and his web site is hard to navigate

Very similar story except during JC replacement one of the control buttons got damaged and sent for repair. Never been able to get it to work since. Would cringe at the thought of calling Paul. Glad I'm not the only one to have issues. It's a great idea when it works

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #18 – June 18, 2022, 06:32:40 pm

Justin, I agree that propane fridge is much easier to work with if one boondocks a lot. When we stayed at Quartzsite for a couple of weeks, we ran gen from about 5p to 9p to charge batteries. Then shut all 110 loads off with power strips so almost everything had no power.

With our two 8D GEL batteries, we only use the main 2000 watt inverter for all appliances, including 120v 10 cu ft Whirlpool fridge. Left inverter on for fridge and in morning ran gen again for couple hours.

Did this sequence for each day and it took some discipline, and if we had a propane fridge, it would a lot different.

BTW, Whirlpool fridge (cost about $300) has been working without a hitch for 12 years.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #19 – June 18, 2022, 06:48:00 pm

For those of us that are new. What is ARP and how do I tell if I have/need one?
My Dometic RM4804 works great on 12v and 110v but I'm having issues with running on Propane. Do not have hot water either so it may be a propane problem. Found the Hot water heater today and got the Shower working again. Head seemed plugged up.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #20 – June 18, 2022, 07:05:19 pm

Quote from: Cpt_kludge – June 18, 2022, 06:48:00 pm

For those of us that are new. What is ARP and how do I tell if I have/need one?

Want to Solve your Dometic & Norcold Cooling and Safety Issues?

Have an absorption refrigerator, IMO you need one.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #21 – June 18, 2022, 11:26:26 pm

Quote from: Cpt_kludge – June 18, 2022, 06:48:00 pm

For those of us that are new. What is ARP and how do I tell if I have/need one?
My Dometic RM4804 works great on 12v and 110v but I'm having issues with running on Propane. Do not have hot water either so it may be a propane problem. Found the Hot water heater today and got the Shower working again. Head seemed plugged up.

It is a wonderful idea that is constantly checking the boiler temperature. If the unit is operated out of level and not in motion the condensed fluid will get trapped in the coils and not return to the boiler. Once this happens the boiler temperature will skyrocket and boiler will fail/burst and discharge the cooling fluid onto the burner and cause a fire. Very preventable. ARP shuts off burner and prevents this. But is difficult for some like me to correctly set up. Outstanding product when it works. Good example would be a blow out tire and you pull off the road and coach is out of level then catches fridge on fire while your dealing with the tire forgetting to shut the fridge OFF.

Fridge Defend by ARP Protects your Dometic or Norcold

Scott

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #22 – June 19, 2022, 01:11:39 am

Our Norcold will safely operate 3 degrees off level front to back and 6 degrees side to side like in a case of a flat tire. To me, a 3 degree down in the back would make it hard to sleep and 6 degrees side to side is leaning over pretty far. So, just pushing the control shuts it down when we leave it for lunch if parked on a street that has an incline. Naturally, if you had a flat, and pulled off the road, the last thing on your mind would be shutting down the fridge. I like the idea of a mercury switch that would cut off the 12V supply to the fridge logic board. I wonder how the board would do if the 12V was frequently interrupted as on traveling on a rough road? Perhaps the switch would be damped enough that momentary movement would not effect it.

Pierce

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #23 – June 19, 2022, 09:40:43 am

When we park for short periods such as a lunch stop or a rest area, I always hit the "auto level" and it's rare that it flashes "excess level" . This only takes a couple of minutes and I try to make it a habit.

Re: Time to replace refrigerator?

Reply #24 – June 19, 2022, 06:10:14 pm

It's always interesting to see where conversations lead. I was hoping to find someone that replaced their refrigerator that was similar to mine with another that of the same type. I would get an identical replacement but they no longer make my model.
With my mid entry set up, I don't have the option of putting in a wider unit. I like the option of having propane back up to AC and the 10 cu ft. has worked well for us. I'm not looking for an upgrade or something very different, just something newer that would fit in the same space.

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