Dometic cooling capacity has decreased
1995 Class C with a RM2611 I bought it 5 years ago and the fridge has always worked well, but it did struggle last summer in 100 outside and 90 inside temps. In the past few months I have used t...
Forum Discussion
April... cooling unit replacement!
Discovered this interesting company in Phoenix. They rebuild cooling units. Their website is very informative.
http://www.campfridge.com/
Very responsive, we quickly scheduled an installation.
Notes....
Matt W. has been doing this work for 18 years.
My RM2611 is NOT the original fridge! (My Tioga Montara is 1995: 24 years old)
Cooling unit degradation... "It's age" if it has been reasonably level
My freezer: Membrane or silicone grease was not installed so foam was completely adhered in the freezer area
(The replacement took three hours and a lot of work for an expert. I am very glad I did not attempt it.)
RM2611 is now out of production
No more parts, increasingly hard to rebuild the cooling units
Takes several hours to rebuild
If kept reasonably level, this rebuild may last 10 years
New units are narrower than my cabinet. There is not a direct replacement unit.
New units are not any more tolerant of off-level: "It's physics"
Measure level on floor of freezer not fridge. Fridge bottom is always warped.
Does not recommend compressor fridges for RV use. Compressor has a moving part (piston in cylinder) that is not suited to vibration and impact. Note: I have read that if your RV is mostly stationary, then a compressor fridge may be a good option.
Recommends a draft inducing fan at the top of the fridge vent
Does not recommend a fan at the bottom vent. This creates turbulence in the base area which can confuse the fridge into thinking that it needs to heat more. This can ruin the cooling unit.
Highly recommends using a smartphone and app to level. Very accurate. (I like the free Smart Level app.)
=== If currently living in RV and getting fridge replacement ===
Get a styrofoam ice chest and dry ice (Frys Supermarket). I got 4 lbs for two full 24 qt chests (one freezer, one fridge) and it was not enough.
If possible, remove contents 4-5 hrs before appointment and turn off the unit. A thawed unit will make disassembly easier but it is not critical.
The new unit will take 8 hrs to get cold. You will need to keep your food in the ice chest during this time.
====
I was pleased with this service. It is the kind of thing that becomes possible given the massive RV market in the Phoenix area. If you need a new cooling unit and can get to the area it is definitely an option to consider.
Discovered this interesting company in Phoenix. They rebuild cooling units. Their website is very informative.
http://www.campfridge.com/
Very responsive, we quickly scheduled an installation.
Notes....
Matt W. has been doing this work for 18 years.
My RM2611 is NOT the original fridge! (My Tioga Montara is 1995: 24 years old)
Cooling unit degradation... "It's age" if it has been reasonably level
My freezer: Membrane or silicone grease was not installed so foam was completely adhered in the freezer area
(The replacement took three hours and a lot of work for an expert. I am very glad I did not attempt it.)
RM2611 is now out of production
No more parts, increasingly hard to rebuild the cooling units
Takes several hours to rebuild
If kept reasonably level, this rebuild may last 10 years
New units are narrower than my cabinet. There is not a direct replacement unit.
New units are not any more tolerant of off-level: "It's physics"
Measure level on floor of freezer not fridge. Fridge bottom is always warped.
Does not recommend compressor fridges for RV use. Compressor has a moving part (piston in cylinder) that is not suited to vibration and impact. Note: I have read that if your RV is mostly stationary, then a compressor fridge may be a good option.
Recommends a draft inducing fan at the top of the fridge vent
Does not recommend a fan at the bottom vent. This creates turbulence in the base area which can confuse the fridge into thinking that it needs to heat more. This can ruin the cooling unit.
Highly recommends using a smartphone and app to level. Very accurate. (I like the free Smart Level app.)
=== If currently living in RV and getting fridge replacement ===
Get a styrofoam ice chest and dry ice (Frys Supermarket). I got 4 lbs for two full 24 qt chests (one freezer, one fridge) and it was not enough.
If possible, remove contents 4-5 hrs before appointment and turn off the unit. A thawed unit will make disassembly easier but it is not critical.
The new unit will take 8 hrs to get cold. You will need to keep your food in the ice chest during this time.
====
I was pleased with this service. It is the kind of thing that becomes possible given the massive RV market in the Phoenix area. If you need a new cooling unit and can get to the area it is definitely an option to consider.
