My Dometic 2652 died

Question

Installation ManualAbout 4 years ago, my Dometic 2652 absorption fridge cooling unit died leaving yellow dust in the fridge compartment. Now, 4 years later, the the replace Amish Built replacement unit has died. I'm looking at the possibility of installing a compressor based replacement cooling unit by Dutch Aire or Amish Built, the same manufacturer as the one I have now. If you care to review the installation manual, it looks very easy to swap from absorption to compressor style. They supply all the necessary parts.&nbsp;Their specifications:From our testing in 80 degrees, with the fridge and freezer empty, and the doors remaining closed for a 24-hour period, the 120V AC compressor will run approx. 56% of the time and the 12V DC compressor runs approx. 67% of the time. However, keep in mind that this can be very easily affected by a number of variables such as ambient temp, how often the doors are opened, and how much food is in the fridge/freezer. 70% faster cooling. 12 volt unit uses 90 watts but has a higher duty cycle. 120 volt uses 96 watts but has a lower duty cycle. It will still cost additional power through the inverter. I may just go with the 120 volt version.Anybody have experience with a compressor fridge?&nbsp; I'd like to know what people think of the noise level inside a truck camper. Bigger RVs, you may be sleeping farther from the compressor and may not notice it. I really wouldn't want to invest into this unit and then have a compressor droning through the night keeping me up. There may be some good positives to a compressor but I would hate to get one for close to 900.00 plus the time involved swapping it, then discover I hate it.&nbsp;Any experiences with Compressor type fridges in your truck camper would be appreciated.&nbsp;Thanks for your comments.

camper_jeff___k · Answer

I can see asking if it's normal for a weld to break and a fridge to fail after only 4 years and get an answer back, because the warrantee is 3 years. Now get oudda heah or buy anuddah sucker!!!I have run the fridge on electric and solar will charge the system by noon and run the fridge with surplus from noon till 5 when the sun gets low. The solar works amazingly well. I don't need no stinking generator!Got a newer truck, I think you'll like. Putting up another post about it shortly.Take care...

stircrazy · Answer

for myself, I would never think of going to a compressor fridge, but for other they seam to like them.. to me the more important thing is how are you running an adsorption fridge for it to die so fast.&nbsp; My camper one is 34 years old and still works like it was brand new.&nbsp; are you running it off level a lot?&nbsp; if so then a compressor fridge is probably better for you.
I like the idea of them a lot, I just don't like the extra power I would have to build into my RV in the form of batteries and solar panels.&nbsp; you question about the noise in a truck camper I never thought of before.&nbsp; I guess the only way to tell would be to find some one with a 12V compressor fridge and sit inside about 5 feet from it when it is running.&nbsp; Cirrus 920 has one in their truck camper, but off hand I can't thing of anyone else that does, everything the wife and I have been looking at has 2 way fridges

camper_jeff___k · Answer

I'm a bit miffed about my supposedly well regarded Dutch Aire cooling unit dying so soon. Four years? C'mon Man!!! I figure it's early demise could be from bouncing around on back country forest type roads. Dutch Aire tac welded various coils of the cooling system together for stability I guess. Small to large tubing, not a flow connection but a securing connection. At least two of those welds have broken and were most likely the reason ammonia coolant leaked out of the fridge,

The two way propane 120 volt fridge is handy. I said in the past, I run it on solar during the day and propane at night to economize and take advantage of 350 watts~ solar power that would be unused otherwise. I have enough solar 700 watts and lithium 400AH to power the compressor fridge spring summer and fall. Winter if we are down south. I have a way to add 200 more solar and 200 more lithium. At this point, my main concern is, will the compressor noise be annoying, especially at night. I have read others the compressor was a new sound they had to get used to. If I do go with a 120 volt compressor fridge, the stove and furnace water heater will last longer between refills.

I need this like a sore thumb or a swift kick in the rear, especially after going through what I just went through with blowing up and engine, towing home, and installing a new engine. The excitement is overwhelming! I'll think the dilemma through a couple days. I do like silence and absorption definitely gives that.

stircrazy · Answer

your 700amps of battery should be more than fine, the compressor fridge will use way less power on 12V than your adsorption.&nbsp; I would try it out and see how fast you recharging the morning.&nbsp; that's weird it broke, I would write them and ask them how this is possible after 4 years, I bounce down a lot of rough roads and have never seen that, normally I see the failures with people who camp for the week and are so far off level I can't fathom how they are able to sleep haha

stircrazy · Answer

ya that so weird, yours is the first issue I have herd about there cooling units.&nbsp; you never know, they might offer some form of goodwill haha.
&nbsp;a new truck, cool

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