Dometic Refer Recall - Possible Fire Hazard -Update 2/13/07

[MELM]

Click here to go directly to Updates.
Update Number 1 Nov 23, 2006
Update Number 2 Dec 5, 2006
Update Number 3 Jan 10, 2007
Update Number 4 Jan 19, 2007 - Recall Instructions - click here: Dometic Recall You need your model and serial numbers.
Update Number 5 Feb 13, 2007 - Added links to new info on the NHTSA website including the info/form for claiming reimbursement for a failure. These are at the end of the post below where all the updates are posted.

Also, edited the below Recall to include the change made prior to the Dec 5 update showing the proposed remedy.

Below is information from the NHTSA website on a recall of certain Dometic refrigerators. This recall is in its very early stages, and there is no resolution in place as of Nov 1, 2006.

From the NHTSA website:

Dometic Recall NHTSA Campaign ID 06E076000

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
DOMETIC / NDR1062 9999
DOMETIC / RM2652 9999
DOMETIC / RM2662 9999
DOMETIC / RM2663 9999
DOMETIC / RM2852 9999
DOMETIC / RM2862 9999
DOMETIC / RM3662 9999
DOMETIC / RM3663 9999
DOMETIC / RM3862 9999
DOMETIC / RM3863 9999

Manufacturer : DOMETIC CORPORATION

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 06E076000 Mfg's Report Date : AUG 28, 2006

Component: EQUIPMENT: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE

Potential Number Of Units Affected : 926877

Summary:
CERTAIN DOMETIC TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATORS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1997 AND MAY 2003: SERIAL NOS.
713XXXXX THROUGH 752XXXXX;
801XXXXX THROUGH 852XXXXX;
901XXXXX THROUGH 952XXXXX;
001XXXXX THROUGH 052XXXXX;
101XXXXX THROUGH 152XXXXX;
201XXXXX THROUGH 252XXXXX;
301XXXXX THROUGH 319XXXXX,
INSTALLED IN CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT. A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE BOILER TUBE WHICH MAY RELEASE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Consequence:
THE RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy:
THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES THAT HAD THE REFRIGERATORS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND DOMETIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE AFTERMARKET REFRIGERATORS. DOMETIC WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY BURNER HOUSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC AT 888-446-5157.

Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

The following is extracted from the notice provided by Dometic to the NHTSA dated 8/26/06:

The potential defect is associated with cooling unit at the back of the refrigeration cabinet.

A fractional percentage of the potentially affected refrigerators have experienced a fatigue crack that may develop in the boiler tube in the area of the weld between the boiler tube and the heater pocket. A fatigue crack may release a sufficient amount of pressurized coolant solution into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present. Dometic's investigation has shown that a simulated release of cooling solution (refrigerant) in the area of the boiler, under certain conditions, could be ignited by the presence of an open flame. A boiler fatigue crack with the loss of cooling solution without ignition would result in a non-operational refrigerator that is not a safety issue. Under certain conditions, the released coolant could ignite and result in a fire. In order to have a fire, at a minimum, all of the following conditions must exist:

1. The refrigerator must be on and normally operating and gas burner must be lit;
2. 'There must be an oversized heating element in the refrigerator;
3. The boiler tube must develop a throughway fatigue crack of a
specific size;
4. There must be a release of the cooling solution at a rate which will
allow the accumulation of the cooling solution at a concentration within its range of flammability; and
5. There must be ignition source (gas flame) present.

If any of these conditions are not present, a release of the cooling solution will not result in a fire.

In April of 1997 Dometic modified the design of the affected refrigerators by increasing the wattage of the heating element from 325 watts to 354 watts. All production of the affected units from April 1997 through May of 2003 utilized the 354 watt heating element. In May of 2003, in order to improve the operating life of the refrigerators, Dometic returned to the use of the 325 watt heating element which it continues to use today. It is now believed that the use of the higher wattage heater contributed to abnormal fatigue in the boiler tube.

The products in question are all refrigerators used in the original manufacture of recreation vehicles or as replacement equipment for recreation vehicles. The total population of refrigerators potentially containing the defect is 926,877. Dometic estimates a potential maximum incident rate of 0.01% related to boiler fatigue cracks that leak and may result in a fire. There have been no incidents of injury or death related to the affected population of Dometic refrigerators.

Dometic became aware of the occurrence of fires which may have involved their products and retained an independent engineering testing laboratory to fully evaluate and investigate any potential defect in their refrigerators which might result in a fire. A number of returned units were analyzed and microscopic fatigue cracks which could release coolant into the area of the burner were identified in the boiler tube metal in the area of the weld between the heater pocket and boiler tube. Tests simulating the cracks were conducted the week of August 18, 2006 and confirmed a possible cause of fire in the refrigerators under certain conditions. These test results prompted the preparation of this notice.

Dometic continues to gather information on the potential defect and will forward additional relevant information as it becomes available.

Dometic has not yet identified a proposed remedy for the potential defect. Dometic will continue a testing program designed to identify and evaluate possible remedies. This evaluation will take place both in the United States and in Sweden. Once a remedy has been identified, Dometic will initiate or participate in a remedy campaign initiated by the original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers who have purchased, sold, and distributed these products. A list of original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers to whom Dometic has sold the potentially defective refrigerators is being prepared and will be provided to the NHTSA upon its
completion.

The following is extracted from the NHTSA response on 9/18/06:

Please provide the following additional information and be reminded of the following requirements:

Dometic must provide an estimated dealer notification date as well as an owner notification date including the day, month, and year. You are required to submit a draft owner notification letter to this office no less than five days prior to mailing it to the customers. Also, copies of all notices, bulletins, dealer notifications, and other communications that relate to this recall, including a copy of the final owner notification letter and any subsequent owner follow-up notification letter(s), are required to be submitted to this office no later than 5 days after they are originally sent (if they are sent to more than one manufacturer, distributor, dealer, or purchaser/owner).

Dometic must file a sample of the envelope which you intend to use to mail the recall notice to owners. The words "SAFETY", "RECALL", "NOTICE" in any order must be printed on the envelope in larger font than the customers name and address.

[timsrv]

rsg33 wrote:
Well, before chastizing the Dometic rep, there may be something positive in that statement.

The recall kit comes with a fusible link (in addition to the thermal cutoff), from what I've been told and this may be the protection from out-of-range elements. Don't forget, if the ohms are low, the amperage goes up with constant 120VAC. The fusible link may be in the element circuit. Perhaps this is what he was talking about.

Good point. Perhaps this part of the recall was designed by Dometic's bean counters (fusible links are a lot cheaper than elements). If this is Dometic's response to the out of limit elements, I would still feel a lot better with a new element.......even if I had to pay out of pocket. Tim

[rsg33]

Claude B wrote:
And too add on, the guy told him that the recall will fix everything because the new thermal protection switch will cut the power if the heating element goes over 325 watts !!! LOL

Well, before chastizing the Dometic rep, there may be something positive in that statement.

The recall kit comes with a fusible link (in addition to the thermal cutoff), from what I've been told and this may be the protection from out-of-range elements. Don't forget, if the ohms are low, the amperage goes up with constant 120VAC. The fusible link may be in the element circuit. Perhaps this is what he was talking about.

This is strictly conjecture. I haven't viewed a kit yet.

[Community Alumni]

Claude B wrote:
The guy from Belco is just trying to do the best he can and i'm still in good therm with them but don't let me meet the a.. h..e from Dometic... I'm french canadian and sometimes, i can be VERY religious !!! (Eric will understand...) 😉

Ah Claude .... tabernaxxx :B :B

... Eric

[Claude_B]

Update...

I went back to Belco yesterday and explain my "problem" about the heating element (40.2 ohms). I show them the NHTSA notes (copy from this forum), tested with an ohm meter and the electric formulas. The guy did understand but it was too late to call Dometic. So he called me back today with the answer he got from Dometic. Can you believe that the Dometic guy told him that there was no such 325 watts element vs 355 W and their was only one element available part # 3850644422 and the 0173768037 was and old # and not available anymore (even if I show him this # from the part list of my model RM2652 on the Domectic web site). And too add on, the guy told him that the recall will fix everything because the new thermal protection switch will cut the power if the heating element goes over 325 watts !!! LOL

I said OK, that is enough and he gave me my money back. I took an appointement for next week for the recall and will find what i'm looking for somewhere else. The guy from Belco is just trying to do the best he can and i'm still in good therm with them but don't let me meet the a.. h..e from Dometic... I'm french canadian and sometimes, i can be VERY religious !!! (Eric will understand...) 😉

[Golden_HVAC]

Jiver51 wrote:
Just got my claim covered by Dometic. My refer stopped working 4 weeks ago, and we found the weld had opened up and allowed a coolant release. Happened while unit was on AC, so no fire occured. Dometic accepted the diagnosis by my RV dealer and a new cooling unit and recall kit has been shipped. Should arrive next week.

Question: Should I replace the AC heat element with one with lower wattage? Is this an easy install?

You should get the new lower wattage heating element with your new cooling unit. Basically if the RV repair does everything they are suposed to do, you have nothing else to do.

Claude B wrote:

I do buisness with the same service center as ParkerBarker here in south shore of Montreal. They did recieve a few kits today and i'm on the list. Now, I also did order a new heating element (325 W) wich they had to order from Dometic. It was $65 cdn. So when I arrived at home today, first thing I did was to check the resistance. The Fluke (pro multimeter) reading is 40.2 ohms ! So the element is a 355 watts !!!
Even if it's stamp 325 W. Are they trying to get rid of their old stuff or what ? Bunch of ... So be carefull. I will go back monday morning.

BTW the part # on the enveloppe is 3850644422

I had to get out a calculator on that one. At 115 volts, the element will use 2.86 amps, and the total wattage will be about 329 watts. At 120 volts it will be near 350 watts. So I guess you don't want to plug into 120 watt pedistals! :R

With the older 37.5 ohm elements, the wattage is 3.06 amps at 115 volts, 352 watts and 3.2 amps and 384 watts at 120 volts. I guess the safe thing is plug in at older RV parks with only 107 volts, and don't attempt to run the air conditioner. The total wattage on 37.5 ohm elements is 305 watts at 107 volts, and 284 watts with the repalcement 40.2 ohm heater.

With 300 watts, you get about 1,020 Btu's of heat. The gas burner is usually rated at about 2,200 Btu's - even though only 80% will go to heating the boiler - the remainder will go up the flue.

Anayway I am happy to have a RV built in 1996.

Fred.

[Community Alumni]

Welcome Glen; this really is the best place to find out what's going on in the rv world. :C

... Eric

[budlute]

This being my first post, hello to all. For a couple years now I have been getting much appreciated information from you all, so guess it is time I joined the net. I wish to thank one and all for this info that I have gleamed and have used some of the ideas, know it is just your person thoughts and ideas, but thanks again. My service center called thurs. and asked for the model and serial number of my recalled fridge, said it was needed so the right parts could be ordered. Service will call and make appointment when the kit comes in. As advised I ordered and installed the correct heating element in the 12v tube before the "fix". Thanks again, Glen

[timsrv]

Assuming the information in the notice provided by Dometic to the NHTSA dated 8/26/06 is accurate, your original element IS the cause of the failure you just experienced. Reinstalling it would be asking for another such failure. Since you are getting a new core with no pre-existing stress patterns set, it would be a very good idea to replace that element with one of the correct value. I couldn't imagine Dometic not providing one, but then again, I can't imagine them not replacing them as part of the recall either. Tim

[Jiver51]

Just got my claim covered by Dometic. My refer stopped working 4 weeks ago, and we found the weld had opened up and allowed a coolant release. Happened while unit was on AC, so no fire occured. Dometic accepted the diagnosis by my RV dealer and a new cooling unit and recall kit has been shipped. Should arrive next week.

Question: Should I replace the AC heat element with one with lower wattage? Is this an easy install?

[Community Alumni]

Thanks Claude.

[Claude_B]

Packer Backer wrote:
Will Belco exchange the element for another one?

Well Eric, I hope so ! Will know next monday. But thrust me, I will have everything with me, my tester, all notes from this post (NTHSA advise) and even my old physics book (from college) for all the electric formula :M

I will keep you informed.

[rsg33]

USAFBILL wrote:
I ordered my element from RV Mobil for $29.99 plus $9.00 Fedex.

And that is the rub. Even with free trade, that $30 USD element is still $80 CAD here in Canada. Figure that one out. :h

[USAFBILL]

I ordered my element from RV Mobil for $29.99 plus $9.00 Fedex. Even if it is on the low end of tolerance I plan on installing it in the 12 volt cavity to move the heat away from the "weld". Probably could just have moved the existing element over from the 120 volt to the 12 volt cavity but was afraid it might not come out as easy and it reads right at 37.4 ohms.

[Community Alumni]

Claude B wrote:
I do buisness with the same service center as ParkerBarker here in south shore of Montreal. They did recieve a few kits today and i'm on the list. Now, I also did order a new heating element (325 W) wich they had to order from Dometic. It was $65 cdn. So when I arrived at home today, first thing I did was to check the resistance. The Fluke (pro multimeter) reading is 40.2 ohms ! So the element is a 355 watts !!!
Even if it's stamp 325 W. Are they trying to get rid of their old stuff or what ? Bunch of ... So be carefull. I will go back monday morning.

BTW the part # on the enveloppe is 3850644422

Claude, that's good to know. I haven't checked my element yet since the trailer is still in storage for 2 more weeks.

Will Belco exchange the element for another one?

They said that they will put a kit aside for me for my appointment on May 7th.

... Eric

[rsg33]

Willis and Claude, I believe the Canadian retail is roughly $80 on that element. So Claude got a bit of a deal (probably old stock) and Willis paid about the regular price. $80 plus 14% taxes = $91.20

Not sure about the difference in part numbers.