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1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
We just discovered that our 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just died before a ten day trip starting tomorrow.  We went out yesterday evening to get our 98~MB out of storage and there was a little ammonium smell.  The refrig was at room temperature with all the ice and a couple items in the freezer were all wet.  The smell was obvious both inside and on the back outside of the refrigerator.  I have replaced a couple other absorption style refrigerators in other RVs and this is the same.  I can not see any evidence of a leak right now but I may after I pull the cooling section out of it later.  We need to get it out and plug the gas line so we can head out on our trip tomorrow.  I have removed all of the bolts and screws including the not so obvious ones and we have it loose and ready to go out the window.  I hope in this next moving process we do not have any leaks in our LD so we can avoid the smell for our trip.

After it's out we need to re-evaluate what to do.

   I have changed two cooling units before whit good success.  This refrigerator is in good shape so would be an easy swap with a new cooling unit inside it.
   We have two new Li batteries with 412Ah available with roughly 500 watts of solar, so we could go with a 12v compressor refrigerator?
   There also Compressor style cooling units that may be available for our refrig?
   We could also install a new absorption style refrig?

We will have to make this trip tomorrow the old school way with ice coolers and ponder the next plan of action.  Fortunately we do not have any LD trips planned for the near future so we have some time.

We would are looking for suggestions or any advice?


      Karen~Liam
        98 ~ MB
          NinA
       Ice Chest!
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #1 –
I found it pleasant to work with the folks at J.C. Refrigeration. They have a wide product line. Here's a link to their Web site.

Mark H.
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #2 –
With an upgraded electrical system, I think you can make a strong case for the Norcold n8DC. 

DC Refrigerator

That's what I would do if I was in your situation.

Rich
2003 MB
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #3 –
Thank You Mark and Rich, we are leaning toward a 12v but will accept any advice and make a decision on what makes sense.

    Karen~Liam
      98 ~ MB
        NinA
         and
     Ice Chest!
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #4 –
If my Dometic would just die already, I’d replace it in a heartbeat with a 12V compressor fridge, and we have similar setups though you guys are winter campers and I am 3 seasons at best, need to think about keeping your batteries charged in the winter, probably need a bit of generator.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #5 –
Hi Liam;  I looked (on the internet) at a Nova Kool 7.3 cu.ft. refrigerator as a potential replacement about two years ago.  This thread: DC Refrigerator  reply #31.
   My driveway and street are non level. After 25 years it might be nice to be able to run the electric and load/unload the refrigerator in advance and after trips, at my leisure.
    This one has the doors hinged for a MidBath. Sucks cooling air in from the side wall below, and exhausts out the top, just like a gas absorption does.
     About $2k    https://citimarinestore.com/en/nova-kool-refrigerators-freezers/16970-nova-kool-rfu8320-refrigerator-freezer-73-cuft-206-l-dc-only-or-acdc.html?srsltid=AfmBOoowo2a2fSy5o1sMb4l-NuwU-v5qQKc4QHMJEHlpqhQQtva47ZGg      RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #6 –
Are novacool manufactured in BC Canada?  We could drive up in our LD and put it in our open spot and bring it back down.  I wonder if there would be savings? 

       Karen~Liam
         98 ~ MB
           NinA
           and
       Ice Chest!
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #7 –
Hi Liam;  This place has them in stock, mainly for vans:  NovaKool RFU8320 DC & AC/DC 12V Refrigerator – Curious Campervans
  This 'Curious Camper Vans' is located in B.C.; Penticton, just north of the border, highway 97 (Oroville).
   Nova Kool is headquartered in B.C.  1578 Hartley Avenue, Coquitlam, B.C. Canada, (an eastern suburb of Vancouver, pretty close to you), but of course the model you need may be made elsewhere.
   The camper van distributor may put it in for you. (for a fee I'm sure).  You said earlier that you had room for another battery, so I'd probably add another one, sort of dedicated to running that 'fridge. Solar 'insolation' in winter may not run your electrical, even with 500W of solar panels.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #8 –
Before switching to a compressor refrigerator, you need to determine what conditions it will be run at. Will hook-ups be available, or will most camping be dry?
If solar is the primary supplier of power, are you willing to park in the sun, avoiding shade year-round? If not willing to park in the sun during the heat season, are you willing to run the generator every day or two for several hours to charge the battery?

During our ten weeks of camping this summer, two-thirds of the time we have been under trees, staying out of the sun and heat. If our LD were equipped with a compressor refrigerator, we would have needed to run the generator often.
With the absorption refrigerator, we have not needed to do this and have not suffered from the refrigerator being too warm.

Part of the appeal of owning a Lazy Daze is the simplicity of its design. It seems the trend is to add complicated electrical systems to run compressor refrigerators and other electrical devices. This increases the chance of problems and can make it difficult to troubleshoot issues when they arise.

Camped in partial shade at Morro Bay
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #9 –
“Camped in partial shade at Morro Bay”

Welcome back, Larry! I’d swing by and say howdy but we are heading to San Diego for the weekend.  Sounds like you had a good trip!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #10 –
We just got back from 9 day trip using ice coolers and it was Great not having to level up every where we went!  We even were able to be a little out of level to camp so we don't have that super Big step down because of topography at the campsite.  I think Larry is right!  You have to evaluate your type of camping to figure out your 12v power needs and capacities to make it work out.  Many times we are able to plug in but I think that more now then ever we find ourselves unable to commit to making reservations way out in the future so we need to improvise.  The absorption style frig gives us the most options.  We have not heard from compressor frig folks here in this thread, what do you have to say?

       Karen~Liam
        98 ~ MB
          NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #11 –
Personally, I like the versatility of the absorption frige. It burns a little propane yes and it does use some 12V power, It may not be perfect on a 100 degree day but these are things that I have learned to live with. I just don't feel I could ever overcome the costs to upgrade the electrical to accommodate a compressor refrigerator. I kind of lean towards keeping it simple.

Jon
1994 MB
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Karen & Liam  - 
We have not heard from compressor frig folks here in this thread, what do you have to say?
When I owned the Lazy Daze I was happy with the Dometic absorption refrigerator. It matched the simple, flexible "get up and go" style of camping I was doing. [Note: Not having slide outs helped, too.] I could use it anywhere, including on the road (in either mode); it was silent; it used little of the 12V battery bank. Yes, it did mean I had to pay attention to whether or not the coach was unlevel, and for how long. For the most part, the old saw of "If you're off-level enough to be uncomfortable sleeping, sitting or walking then the reefer is too far off-level too" applied.

Then I sold the LD and got a Class A with a Norcold absorption refrigerator. I changed my camping style to snowbirding for up to five months in Florida. Stationary, often with the reefer on the south side of the coach (in the sun all afternoon), the Norcold had its problems with elevated refrigerator and freezer compartment temps. Whether it was due to cumulative cooling unit damage or age, I don't know.

The change in camping style made a compressor-based refrigerator a reasonable choice- in my case, a 120V unit.

I tried installing a JC Refrigeration 120V compressor cooling unit in the Norcold cabinet and failed. (Long story, not their fault). I ended up installing a 10 cubic-foot Frigidaire residential refrigerator. It worked well. I sold the coach a year later. I would be very surprised if that refrigerator lasted as long as the average absorption unit.

As the above illustrates, the simple answer is: "It depends."

Mark H.
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #13 –
Absorption refrigerators can be made to work better. Adding insulation to the compartment helped our LD's refrigerator a lot in hot weather.
Besides adding insulation, our refrigerator has an ARP RV Fridge Protection Control with Fan Controller.
One large exterior fan is attached to the refrigerator's cooling coils and turns on when a thermostat detects high temperatures. It is a very powerful fan and produces more airflow than computer fans. Two small fans are located inside the refrigerator to increase circulation and prevent cold spots or layering of cold air, a condition that causes vegetables to freeze.

ARP control with fan control and one external fan, and two internal fans. The interior fans a very small and take up little room.  I bought the  v5.11 Fridge Defend + 1 Ventilator Fan + 2 Defrost Blowers
Buy RV Fridge Defend by ARP | Dometic | Norcold | Safety | Reliability
The fans are available without buying the controller; the interior fans are quiet and take little power. The big external fan does use a bit of power and does not need to run except in hot conditions. The external fan is a great help in very hot weather or when the refrigerator is in direct sunlight.
The ARP controller's main function to to prevent the refrigerator's boiler from overheating, which causes progressive damage to the cooling system. The fan controls are a secondary function.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #14 –
We have the ARP protection control from our old frig.  If we go with the replacement of the cooling unit versus replacing with a 12v compressor style frig, we would reinstall the ARP on the new cooling unit.  We had a computer fan for cooling the exterior cooling unit but may up grade the fan that Larry suggested.  We have had absorption style refrigerators for many years and they have worked well for us.


      Karen~Liam
        98 ~ MB
          NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
 
Re: 1998 Dometic Refrigerator just Died
Reply #15 –
I left some details out of my prior post to keep it short.

Adding insulation to reduce heat coming through the exterior wall to the Norcold was not a practical option for my coach. That wall was under the patio awning, so it got some shade. Late afternoon, with low sun angles, was the worst.

I did install an ARP Fridge Defend with two exterior fans and two interior fans, as Larry mentions. I added to it a high-low speed control for the exterior fans so I could cut down the noise somewhat (my bedroom window was near the lower refrigerator vent). I liked the device's safety features. Unhappily, it did not do enough to lower interior temperatures in the freezer or refrigerator compartments. The Fridge Defend fans may work well to lower temps on anyone else's Norcold or Dometic- just not the one I owned.

After I installed the Frigidaire I gave the Fridge Defend to a friend of mine who had a Norcold 1200 in his fifth wheel. Some of the 1200s had been recalled due to fire danger and a Norcold high-temp cutoff box installed. My friend was happy to replace (or augment, I forget which) the Norcold cutoff with the better-designed Fridge Defend- and get the fans for better cooling, too.

I gave serious thought to replacing the Norcold with another absorption refrigerator. I like them. It was not clear at the time that newer models were reliable or available (this was 2019 through late 2020), so I chose to go with the residential. My installation could be easily reversed by a future owner, should he wish to revert to an absorption unit.

Mark H.
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath