Hi Claude, your element is still within the +/- 10% tolerance, but hey if you can get one with a bit higher resistance, go for it. I wonder why the price difference though, mine cost me just shy of $100 including the 14% sales tax. It was a Dometic part, DM 0173768037 was the number on the package, and to compound the mis information it also was printed 115v 325 watts, however inside it was marked 120v 325w on the element.
Willis
Willis
looks like anyone considering putting a new element in the 12 volt cavity might want to go ahead and install it before taking the unit to the dealer for the recall.Yes thanks for adding that important fact, it's what I did, but forgot to mention it in the post.
Willis
eagle eye wrote:
Willy, are the mothballs also included in the recall?
Hi rsg33 :B not really but I guess the RV techs moved them there out of the way. Actually they were under the LP gas pipe previously. I don't know if they do any good, because that rig is pretty well sealed except for the vents which are well above ground. I haven't had any mice so I guess this will continue to be an annual winterizing event :B
Willis
Thanks for the photos, looks like anyone considering putting a new element in the 12 volt cavity might want to go ahead and install it before taking the unit to the dealer for the recall. Easier to accomplish before all of the sheet metal is installed.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
royl wrote:
By the way i found that the way to get a call from the engineers is to threaton a class action law suit. I got a call back the next day after my email.
Hi Doug no thanks necessary, but it is appreciated all the same. I just wanted to return something useful to the thread in return for all the information I received here, and photos of the completed modification seemed like a good way to do it. Up until I seen my own unit modified, I had little idea of how it would work or what it would look like. I do hope the photos will give those members still waiting their turn, an idea of what to expect.
Willis
Willis
Well it's done and has been a very busy weekend for me. Murphy's law was at it's best. Sunday we had to take our pooch to the vet clinic an emergency. We got the news that considering she was an old dog and the problem was most likely a bone tumor, and we'd have to make the decision after the x rays on Monday. Monday morning 9 AM the RV was at the dealers shop. As previously said due to insurance and labor laws I sat it out in the waiting room for about an hour. The required papers to fill out the shop's Dometic papers were 1 Vehicle registration, 2 type and model of RV, 3 serial number and model of fridge, 4 my name and address with telephone number.
Wanted to take some pictures but the batteries were dead in the camera. Went shopping, picked up the dog about 4:30PM after shopping. Vet bill $260 incl medication. Thankfully there were no tumors so no decision was necessary but no apparent reason for the fever or swelling in the leg. So home I go with dog, medication and instructions on what to feed her, ground beef and rice. Ah! Well!
OK! Tues, a new day so I got some pics.
#1 Click-->
#2 Click--> 
#3 Click-->
#4 Click-->
#5 Click--> 
#1 The completed modification #2 A better view of the new schematic on the new panel
#3 The front panel removed (4 screws) the new pieces are identified in red numerals as #1 more shielding over the heater element door. #2 This sheet extends half way around the boiler assembly #3 new extended sheeting beneath the LP burner assy, this piece is screwed to the floor #4 is the new thermal cut out (this is the only one I can see and also is the only new wiring. #'4&5 just two more pic's of the area to look at.
In my opinion this mod may or may not prevent a fire during a boiler failure while on LP gas, however having said that it certainly will contain a fire should a failure of the boiler occur. The fire (if any during a boiler failure) would be contained within the enclosed area, thereby preventing the plastic or the wood of the RV from catching fire. IF the thermal cutout (#4) works, then the 12 volts will be removed causing a shutdown of all sources of heating, both electric and LP gas.
The modification on it's own will not prevent a cooling unit failure, it will at best prevent a fire during the failure of the cooling unit while on LP gas.
For my own peace of mind, I purchased a new 120 volt 325 watt element, which has a measured resistance of 44.5 ohms to replace the original underrated element which seems to be the root cause of the cooling unit failures resulting in this recall. I also installed the new element in the 12 volt element well. My fridge is a two way (120v and LP gas) but all these fridges use the same boiler unit with the two wells. My reasoning here is the well for the 12 volt element has not been stressed since it has never been used. Anyway that's the way I did it for my peace of mind.
Willis
Wanted to take some pictures but the batteries were dead in the camera. Went shopping, picked up the dog about 4:30PM after shopping. Vet bill $260 incl medication. Thankfully there were no tumors so no decision was necessary but no apparent reason for the fever or swelling in the leg. So home I go with dog, medication and instructions on what to feed her, ground beef and rice. Ah! Well!
OK! Tues, a new day so I got some pics.
#1 Click-->
#2 Click--> 
#3 Click-->
#4 Click-->
#5 Click--> 
#1 The completed modification #2 A better view of the new schematic on the new panel
#3 The front panel removed (4 screws) the new pieces are identified in red numerals as #1 more shielding over the heater element door. #2 This sheet extends half way around the boiler assembly #3 new extended sheeting beneath the LP burner assy, this piece is screwed to the floor #4 is the new thermal cut out (this is the only one I can see and also is the only new wiring. #'4&5 just two more pic's of the area to look at.
In my opinion this mod may or may not prevent a fire during a boiler failure while on LP gas, however having said that it certainly will contain a fire should a failure of the boiler occur. The fire (if any during a boiler failure) would be contained within the enclosed area, thereby preventing the plastic or the wood of the RV from catching fire. IF the thermal cutout (#4) works, then the 12 volts will be removed causing a shutdown of all sources of heating, both electric and LP gas.
The modification on it's own will not prevent a cooling unit failure, it will at best prevent a fire during the failure of the cooling unit while on LP gas.
For my own peace of mind, I purchased a new 120 volt 325 watt element, which has a measured resistance of 44.5 ohms to replace the original underrated element which seems to be the root cause of the cooling unit failures resulting in this recall. I also installed the new element in the 12 volt element well. My fridge is a two way (120v and LP gas) but all these fridges use the same boiler unit with the two wells. My reasoning here is the well for the 12 volt element has not been stressed since it has never been used. Anyway that's the way I did it for my peace of mind.
Willis
