refrigerator rebuilds

[rickcramer01]

I drive a '02 class A. The typical absorption style fridgs from what I understand are probably good for 12, so I am on the edge. Doubtful I will hold onto the rig for more than another couple years. To buy a new 4 door fridg. is probably going to cost 4 grand. Have seen rebuild kits for $600-1,000. Anyone have experience with these and would you recommend or not?

[Bruce_Brown]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Why replace it now if only looking at a couple more years?

Wait until the Cooling Unit FAILS.........IF IT DOES.

There is NO expiration date on them.

I'd agree with this.

If it does fail doing the new cooling unit is pretty easy and straightforward. A few basic tools and an extra pair of hands to help with the removal and you're good to go.

[DANO2014]

Go to My Post - DANO2014 which will show
That I purchased a residential Refrigerator.
It will give you all the info needed...I paid
approx $850.00 for this unit and this
company ships free from New York. Had a
Local company install for approx $500.00 which
Most of this cost was paid by Good Sam
Maintenance program. They will not replace
The fridge but will allow replacement for the
Cooling unit, removal & install cost!
You will not regret this new fridge, great
purchase!!

[Community Alumni]

I have pulled and replaced a cooling unit, and then pulled it again because of a design flaw. Not tough job you will need a helper to lay the refridgerator face down. Took 4-5 hours, I took doors off first. This was done on my previous 96 Coachman Destiny. Today if I am forced into that decision again I will be replacing with a residential.

[islandvagabonds]

X2 for JC Refridgeration. Had mine done there two years ago. Great service and performance. Have them install the inside fan kit at the same time. Refer now performs like a residential.

[BennieH]

Had a new Amish built cooling unit (Dutch Aire) installed by JC Refrigeration in Shipshewana Indiana. Was around $1,100 installed and fully tested. Took 4 hours.
The Dutch Aire unit is a better built unit and they will show you why its better. Heavier tubing and better construction.
The refrigerator and freezer work absolutely wonderful. Never need to set the Norcold higher than 5. Freezer is at -1 or colder and the Fridge is at 34 - 36 degrees.
The owner told me that the cooling units should last a minimum of 15 to 20 years and up.

[W4RLR]

I rebuilt my Norcold refer that was original to my Jayco fiver last year. Not too hard to do, the replacement cooling unit works much better than the original and should be good for the remaining live of the fiver. I tend to keep things until they can no longer be fixed, the fiver is going on 21 years and is now finishing a complete overhaul. Much cheaper than buying a new rig or a new refer.

[wa8yxm]

RV Absorption units tend to be very well insulated.. (Absorption cooling is not all that efficient but it has the ability to run on propane) If (no guarantee it will happpen) your cooling unit fails.. I'd replace it

not the full fridgem, Just the back side (The cooling uniut) Lowest cost and you still have the advantages of being able to boondock without addint a thousand pounds of battery to your unit.

[crasster]

$600-1000 for a rebuild kit, but $599 for a residential top over bottom new fridge..... I know it's not an exact answer, but having RV'ed a ton in my life, I've come to appreciate residential fridges and solid ice cream.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

midnightsadie wrote:
theres a shop in indiana that rebuilds them and do a great job. about $600.

Northern Rv Refrigeration in Shipshewana IN, Leon the Amish owner did ours for $950 in 2013. That price included him removing, rebuilding and reinstalling our 1200LRM at his shop. Our cost was $500 as a deductible with Good Sam ESP picking up the balance.

BTW friends of ours have a cabin on an island in Canada and are off the grid. Their Servel LP refrigerator has been running since the mid 50's w/o any service.

[Jim]

My Dometic replacement cooling unit lasted 12 years no problem. Because I left it on all of the time (full time RV'er). Dometic says that they knew of one unit that lasted 70 odd years.

If treated properly, an absorption refer has a very long lifetime.

[DrewE]

What makes you think an absorption fridge has a lifespan of 12 years? If treated well, there's no reason why they can't last more or less indefinitely. It's not as though ammonia or water wear out.

If your fridge is working okay, then I'd just let it be and not worry about something that may very well never occur. The fridge in my '98 motorhome is working splendidly and, so far as I know, is the original one.

[Old-Biscuit]

Why replace it now if only looking at a couple more years?

Wait until the Cooling Unit FAILS.........IF IT DOES.

There is NO expiration date on them.

[midnightsadie]

theres a shop in indiana that rebuilds them and do a great job. about $600.

[TNGW1500SE]

4000 bucks! That's crazy! My thoughts are that an absorption style fridge is about worthless right out of the box. Unless you boondock, go to home depot and by a residential unit. You'll get twice the room in the same footprint. A little jigsaw action and it will fit right in the same hole. Just make sure it fits through the door before you buy it. Sell the old one on Craigslist.