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Re: Dometic Refer Recall - Possible Fire Hazard -Update 2/13/07
Dometic is now recalling the newer models of these refrigerators. NHTSA has assigned a new Recall Number to it, but Dometic indicates in their document to NHTSA that it is essentially the same modification. Here is a link to the new thread: New Dometic Recall Initiated March 11, 2008 Mel765Views0likes0CommentsRe: New Dometic Recall Initiated March 11, 2008
heavyequipmentmover started a new thread. But I'm moving the post to this one and closing it - one thread is preferred. Mel heavyequiptmentmover wrote: I called Dometic today to confirm that my Dometic RM 2652 refer is included in the recent extention of recalls. (888-446-5157) Other than tell you your refer is one of the recalls,the young clerk at that number is not any help on details of the necessary work to comply with the recall. Also called Dometic customer support 574-294-2511 thinking I would be able to get more information on the work necessary to accomplish the recall.The young man there was no more help then the previous young lady.Even though he said he was there to answer Tech questions,was not willing to give out info on the recall. The NHTSA letter to Dometic of April 21,2008 stated that Dometic would install a secondary burner housing.I am not familiar with the nomenclature BURNER HOUSING.Is it referring to the cylindrical tube that surrounds the flue tube and electrical 115VAC heater? If the recall installs a secondary burner housing within a burner housing,how does this effect the efficiency of the burner? I have noticed that Dometic has installed a thermofuse on the cylindrical tube that surrounds the flue,whos location is in series with the 12+VDC to the Control Board.Is this Dometics means of killing power to the control board,to shut down burner incases where things get too hot within the cylindrical tube.Like if you have an uncontrolled fire?647Views0likes0CommentsNew Dometic Recall Initiated March 11, 2008
Thanks to the members who have provided info on this new one. Dometic has a new recall for refrigerators made between June 1, 2003 through September 30, 2006. Many of these are the same models as were in the older recall (Recall number 06E076000). (Technically, Dometic’s letter indicates an extension of the original, but NHTSA assigned a new Recall Number and the information is under that new number.) Since it has a new NHTSA number, I’m starting a new thread on this one; but the actual work appears to be the same as in the first recall. Text from the NHTSA website Recall 08E03200. Make / Models : Model/Build Years: DOMETIC / NDR1062 9999 DOMETIC / RM2652 9999 DOMETIC / RM2662 9999 DOMETIC / RM2852 9999 DOMETIC / RM2862 9999 DOMETIC / RM3662 9999 DOMETIC / RM3663 9999 DOMETIC / RM3862 9999 Recall Number: 08E032000 Summary: DOMETIC HAS REPORTED A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT COVERING 745,574 TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATORS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1, 2003 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2006, WITH SERIAL NOS. 320XXXXX THROUGH 352XXXXX; 401XXXXX THROUGH 452XXXXX; 501XXXXX THROUGH 552XXXXX; AND 601XXXXX THROUGH 639XXXXX, INSTALLED IN CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND SOLD AS REPLACEMENT 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 DURING APRIL/MAY 2008. 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. Some more links: Dometic Recall Site Dometic letter of April 11, 2008 NHTSA Response letter of April 21, 2008. And here is a link to the original recall thread: Dometic Refer Recall - Possible Fire Hazard -Update 2/13/07 Edited to add a link to the original thread.125KViews0likes92CommentsRe: Norcold 1200 is being extended
For those that haven't followed the recall process, I'll add some information that I've gotten from other recalls. There is a significant amount of time between the initial determination of the need for a recall and the availability of the hardware, etc. needed for the owners to have the recall work done. In the current Dometic recall, it took about 6 months from the notification to NHTSA until the first kits were available. The letter in the above post was dated for March 28, so it has only been a little over a month since the initiation of the recall process. Hopefully for owners of these reefers, the process will be faster than the Dometic recall since there is an existing recall for the same, but slightly older, models. The letter states they plan to begin recalls in May - this month. If you have one of the newer units, I suggest you check this thread periodically to see what others have learned. And if you have new information, please post it in this thread. Mel1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Norcold 1200 is being extended
Thank you. I have found that Norcold is in the process of extending the recall. From their letter dated March 28, 2008 to NHTSA: "Norcold has determined that this recall should be extended to embrace coolirlg units made by Norcold serving as components in Norcold models 1200LR, 1200LRIM and 1201 \-RIM manufactured from March 1, 1999 to February 28, 2001. Each cooling unit under this extension has a serial number between 1008701 and 1273700, non consecutively." Link to the letter: Norcold March 28 Letter. Link to NHTSA reply: NHTSA April 16 Reply to Norcold. Link to Norcold Recall site: Norcold Recalls. There is an online registration form and also a phone number for owners to contact. I doubt that RV manufacturers and Norcold dealers and service centers have received formal notification yet, but the Norcold recall staff may have the information. If anyone contacts Norcold and gets additional info, please post it in this thread. Mel1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
Professor95 - I'll pass on the Delete button for you this time... I have been watching as the interest in installing the portable generators is getting stronger. I have a safety concern with what I see. I see no one addressing the various safety codes that pertain to generators installed in RV's; and, while I don't have the current requirements, I do have references to some that applied to my old installation (in 1989 in my '90 Champion LaSalle). And my old National Electric Code (1993) also includes a reference to other codes that apply. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides some of these, such as the NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code; NFPA 58, the LP Gas Code (that applies to the ASME tanks and DOT cylinders and the installation in RV's). The NEC I have references NFPA 501C for the compartment construction requirements. My Kohler manual references: 1. ANSI/RVIA EGS-1 2. ANSI A 119.2/NFPA 501C 3. NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code 4. Any state and local regulations (states and local regulatory offices may amend codes to meet requirements they choose). Today, these have no doubt been updated from when my MH was built and my books were written; and there may be new requirements. I'll not speculate on legal liabilities for disasters that may occur from not meeting those codes; i.e. fire that damages several RV's. Or from selling a unit that has been modified to someone that has a disaster that may (or may not) have been prevented if the codes had been followed. There is an old saying that "...ignorance of the law is not an excuse." I think it would be valuable for someone to post the pertinent parts of any and all regulations governing installing any generator in an RV - maybe someone that is planning on do it or has an interest and access to all the current codes and requirements. One area that there may be readily available information is the addition of gasoline tanks and plumbing in a trailer - the toy haulers often have a "fuel station" as an option. I suspect that meeting those requirements, and providing appropriate installation instructions in manuals, is at least part of the reason that the Honda, Onan, Generac, Kohler, et al RV generators are a bit more expensive than the portable units that have become so popular. And I'll end with this reminder from the Forum Rules: "Other than enforcing the above rules, the management and staff does not attempt to validate any comments or recommendations provided by participants. As such, The Open Roads Forum is not responsible for any inaccuracies that may result in personal injury or damage." Mel490Views0likes0CommentsRe: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
Let's not turn this thread into a converter or charger thread, but there is some significance to those issues as charging batteries is one of the primary reasons for having the generators. There are three basic designs of chargers: linear, ferroresonant and electronic switching. The switching converters may be single voltage or multistage. Linear converters have low charging current output ratings, most below 15 amps with many around 6 amps. Not good for rapid battery charging. Ferroresonant converters are single voltage chargers - the Magnatek/Parallax models are designed for 13.8 volts under light load. See below on that. They are very sensitive to low frequency input - there will be a significant reduction in charging current for any frequency below 60 Hz. Most single voltage switching converters are (PD, Iota, Elixir, Centurion, etc.) are set for 13.6 volts; Magnetek/Parallax are 13.8 volts (with a couple of exceptions). The charging current decreases rapidly as the battery charge level, and hence the terminal voltage, increases. The multistage converters may go to the "Bulk" mode, and that has a nominal voltage over 14 volts depending on brand/model. The charge level will be higher in this mode. Only Progressive Dynamics converters have the ability to be "forced" into the bulk mode when the microprocessor doesn't choose that mode. All of these converters actually get there charging power from a small part of the sine wave. The generator current capability at the sine wave peaks is a key factor in the charger performance. There is another thread on charging with three different generators and the charger outputs and it has some good discussion in it: Generator / Intellicharger problem - Please help. Wayne Dohnal made two posts with pictures of his oscilloscope screens with a couple of loads on his - I really hate to do this, but the last picture is worth it - EU2000i. (Note, the pictures make take a little time to load.) The first post is of the normal output and then a 1500 watt resistive load. The second post is of the normal output and then a PD9160A delivering 65 amps. That picture says a lot. It would be good if we had some similar scope displays for the Champion, Elim, etc. and with some of the other converters; but this is the best I've seen so far. I hope this helps understanding of the issues with the various converters and chargers and charging the batteries. Mel309Views0likes0CommentsRe: Dometic Refer Recall - Possible Fire Hazard -Update 2/13/07
This was posted in a separate thread today 4/5/07: Dometic Recall Completed. I am reposting it here so the followers of this thread will see what the recall work was on his unit. In that thread, another member reports that his dealer has his kit - so they are starting to show up and some dealers are installing them. richardcoxid wrote: Fellow Dometic Refer. Owners The recall was completed on our Dometic refer Mod #3862 today 4/4/2007. Contrary to the information that has been circulating on various RV web sites they did NOT pull the refer, replace the cooling unit, replace the electrical element with a lower wattage element etc! ? They- pop-riveted a “snap-stat” (on/off non-adjustable thermal-disk thermostat like on your HWH) to the sheet metal that surrounds the insulation on the boiler. This had the proper wiring connections to connect it to the circuit board. I assume that this is a “high temp cut out” safety shut off. ? They attached 3 pieces of light weight galvanized sheet metal baffling (about 20 gage) underneath, in front of and at the outside of the burner/boiler (this piece about 8”W and 10 ½”H) between it and the access cover with sheet metal screws. This large piece has a new wiring schematic on it. There may or may not be some internal bracing in the area of the burner/boiler. The total time from the time that they drove the unit into the shop to completion out the door was about 35 minutes. I hope that this clears any confusion about this recall. Disclaimer- This was for MY Mod # refer, maybe on some other models the recall procedure will be different though. Richard308Views0likes0CommentsRe: Dometic Refer Recall - Possible Fire Hazard -Update 2/13/07
Earlier in this thread there were some members that posted that they had one sticker showing 2.7 amps, and another near the circuit board that showed 2.9 amps. Some actually measured the current and found it around 3 amps. It's going to be tough if there are actually two different elements with the same markings - a lot of folks are going to be confused, including the DIY'ers and some of the tech's. I can hear it now: "Hey, this is the same part I just took out. Somebody must have already changed it..." Mel213Views0likes0CommentsRe: Dometic Refer Recall - Possible Fire Hazard -Update 2/13/07
Another Update: Updates Post. At the bottom of this post is Update Number 5 that has links to new documents on the NHTSA website, including the form for requesting reimbursment for repairs prior to the recall, the letter that will be mailed to owners of record, info on the gas valve and serial number location and the press release that they are releasing to the media. I didn't see any additional information on what the actual changes to the units will be. Edit - here's the changes in the post: Update 5, Feb 13, 07 Additional info is on the NHTSA websites on the recall. Here are links to these pages: Instructions and forms for reimbursement for repairs before the recall The recall letter Serial number and gas valve information Dometic's Press Release that is being provided to news media269Views0likes0Comments
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