Refrigerator coolant unit

I had a 4 door Norcold and changed out my cooling unit myself, a couple of years ago. I had help taking the frig from the motorhome, but did the rest all by myself.

It has leaked so you need to turn it off until it's fixed. Otherwise you risk fire or physical harm from breathing or having the ammonia burn your skin.

Not too hard to do. Most difficult is getting the fridge out and back into the hole. Make sure the replacement has a suitable warranty ours failed after 10 months and had to be repaired again.

AFAIK, and I could be wrong here - Be VERY careful around the ammonia gas/solid/residue whatever the heck it is. It will hurt you, blind you, poison you and/or possibly ultimately kill you. Just sayin'.

Good Luck

Mike

It's just ammonia not napalm! I got a rebuilt unit from Trailer Refrigeration in Tuscon in 05 and it was still working like new when I sold it last Sept. Craig

C Schomer wrote:
It's just ammonia not napalm! I got a rebuilt unit from Trailer Refrigeration in Tuscon in 05 and it was still working like new when I sold it last Sept. Craig

SIGH! Here, check it out (http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/ammonia.html)

As always, YMMV!

Mike

I just did mine about 3 months ago. Replaced with a new Amish unit....it works much better.

Did the whole job by myself. Worst part was getting the old unit off the back. I had to pry so hard I ruptured one of the small pipe welds and ammonia went spraying everywhere.....a huge mess.

It costs about half of a new fridge.

Several years ago, we had a rally in the Amish country of Illinois. They arranged to bring in a younger fellow from "Fix your fridge" (he has a web site). An owner was having difficulty with his (brand not remembered). They pulled it out of the coach and carried it in the hall. The Amish gut pulled out a power screwdriver and "field stripped" it in about a minute. He was describing what he was doing the whole time. (He clearly would have been faster without the commentary.) After a short talk about the failed unit, he unboxed the replacement he had brought with him and stuffed it back in. Some volunteers carried it out, reinstalled and came back before we were though asking questions.

Matt

Many have gotten "Amish Cooling Units" to replace the Norcold or Dometic units.

I have not (yet) needed to.

A" Little leak" in an RV fridge is like being a little pregnant. Your unit is shot!! Do not use this until a new unit is installed. Danger of fire!

Moisheh