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06-07-2022, 10:22 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 12
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03 sun voyager refrigerator
Last time out the fridge worked fine. We went to turn it on to get ready for a trip and would not get cool. Got warm around the doors. Tried gas and electric. It’s a Dometic Royale RM 3862. We did smell an ammonia smell. My question is can you repair with replacement parts or is it junk?
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06-07-2022, 11:17 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 309
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Hmmm if your smelling ammonia that is a sign the tank is rusted and it is leaking, I'd replace it. 03 has served its life and new will give you much better piece of mind. Mine is 17 yrs old and still working BUT when it fails we will replace it. Unfortunately they are not cheap..but 20yrs on any appliance these days is the life expectancy or close..
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06-07-2022, 02:25 PM
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#3
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New Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 12
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Yes my thoughts as well. I had read on another forum where a fellow just changed the cooling unit. Thank you.
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06-07-2022, 07:11 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 309
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You are welcome! And yes that is very possible and doable. If you have the technical ability to take on an Absorption refrigerator. I am a tech myself and handle all the maintenance on our coach witch helps keep cost low. But please be safe when dealing with any gas boiler!
Good luck and happy camping!!
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06-12-2022, 09:35 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Graham
Posts: 225
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I was almost glad when my Dometic failed. Was looking for a reason to switch to a residential and that was it. Now an 18 cf Samsung that cools quickly. No more soft ice cream. I installed a separate 1,000 watt inverter with auto transfer so refer is always powered. Battery through inverter when driving to dry camping, shore power at home or at a campground.
__________________
2006 Gulf Stream Friendship G7
350 Cat, Crusier Lift w/ Honda VTX
Blue Ox and 2019 Chevy Blazer RS AWD V6
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06-14-2022, 08:47 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Memphis
Posts: 754
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If warm around doors, find switches on door frame and turn OFF door heaters?
__________________
THenne1713
2000 Conquest LE 6266, Class-C on 99-E450SD, 6.8, 2v, V-10
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06-15-2022, 05:30 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 279
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Quick indicator of ammonia leak is you will see what looks like yellow powder on the metal heater box (look to right hand side in the compartment behind the refer, vertical metal cylinder). You can replace the assembly on the back of the refer, but it does not cost much more to replace the whole unit (one I'm working on today, refer = $1,800, cooling assembly = $1,500). I'd personally consider the inverter and residential option mentioned above. That is if you are mostly on shore power and have good battery capacity.
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06-15-2022, 09:39 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,028
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I second the residential refrigerator approach! This completely eliminates the danger of an appliance fire, and gives better food storage performance, particularly for frozen items. You will need to limit how long you can dry camp without using the generator, but a good battery bank and efficient inverter will give you quiet night times and keep things cool when in transit. My motorhome had a 23 cu ft side-by-side unit from the factory, and was ideal for full time live aboard use.
Chuck
__________________
2007 Tour Master T40C
Acura MDX toad
"It takes a great deal of time to recover from any improvement..."
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04-10-2023, 05:34 AM
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#9
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 2
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You can't power a 12V camping refrigerator directly with a solar panel. Instead, you need to store the solar energy in a 12V battery and power the fridge off of that. Connect the battery and solar panel to a solar charge controller. You'll damage your battery if you connect your solar panel directly to it.
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04-12-2023, 05:12 AM
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#10
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DCCCVIIun
You can't power a 12V camping refrigerator directly with a solar panel. Instead, you need to store the solar energy in a 12V battery and power the fridge off of that. Connect the battery and solar panel to a solar charge controller. You'll damage your battery if you connect your solar panel directly to it.
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Truly, these camping refrigerators are so powerful.
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