The time has come to replace the cooling unit in my fridge.

[Bird_Freak]

My Dometic RM 3862 has finally bit the big one after 20 yrs. Can't complain. Anyone done this? I don't want a residential unit so Time to replace. Just wondering what I'm getting into.

[rhagfo]

RLS7201 wrote:

JCat wrote:
Go with the Amish unit, best thing I ever did.

I now have frozen Ice cream and a fridge that stays at 36 degress

DITTO!

Richard

Well ours is a JC Refrigeration 12 volt compressor unit, within a couple dollars of the New absorption unit. Our refer is constantly at 33 to 34 degrees, freezer below 10 degrees.

[RLS7201]

JCat wrote:
Go with the Amish unit, best thing I ever did.

I now have frozen Ice cream and a fridge that stays at 36 degress

DITTO!

Richard

[JCat]

Go with the Amish unit, best thing I ever did.

I now have frozen Ice cream and a fridge that stays at 36 degress

[fyrflie]

I just did my Dometic cooling unit. Purchased from RV Cooling Warehouse but came with JC Refrigeration stickers on it.
As others have said, you need help getting it out of and back into the hole, but otherwise a fairly easy process.
I do not have any slides, so my space was tight, but got the refer to the bedroom where I could lay it on its face and complete the work.

Another thing to check when you have the refer out. Insulation of the walls and any baffles to correct the airflow up and around the cooling unit when installed.
One thing that RV Cooling Warehouse suggests is that the Camco refrigerator vent cover does not allow for proper air flow for a Dometic refer. I purchased a Dometic roof vent and cover and you can definitely see the difference in design.
Also consider adding exterior and interior fans.
Good luck with your project.

[craig7h]

I do not have Dometic but Norcold which really does not matter. Two years ago I had the same problem. I did not want to replace the frig just the cooling unit.

I went with JC Refrigeration https://jc-refrigeration.com/

I went with their totally 120v unit as we are plugged in all the time, never boondock.

JC Refrigeration folks are so customer friendly and so helpful it makes replacing the unit almost a pleasure. It took my wife and I about 3 hours total time, as we did it over a couple days. It is really a great DIY project. We had a few hickups along the way emailed JC about problem and got answer within minutes of sending.

[pianotuna]

If/when mine dies I'll go to a 12 volt cooling unit.

[JBarca]

I have done a cooling coil replacement on a Dometic RM2652. My son did help me get it out of the camper, but then I did the rest on my own, and he helped me put it back in.

At the time 2018, I bought a new cooling unit from RV Cool. It was better quality than the Dometic I replaced and it cools really cold from the start. I did this for a friend on his 2007 camper when the cooling unit died while in my shop getting water damage restored. RV Cool went out of business; not sure when, but it was after 2018.

If you have hands-on mechanical ability, you can do the changeover. You will need help getting the unit out of the wall cabinet and back in. And in and out of the camper if needed, or it fits through the door. Some replace them in the camper as they will not fit out the door.

The install video from RV Cool is still up and running; this will show you what is involved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8kBX9LzIJo

Hope this helps

John

[rhagfo]

If you don’t boondock much, you might consider a 12voltcompressor unit. We got ours from JC Refrigeration. Link

12 volt compressor cooling unit

[Veebyes]

Join the club. Our RM 1350 went belly up last October. Nine years & something like 1400 nights on the road out of it.

The nearest Dometic dealer is not even interested in selling & installing a new one, at something in the region of $7000.00. Must be nice to be able to turn away business.

Found a place near Elkhart that is only too happy to help us out with a booked service day to change it out & we can stay in their yard overnight if necessary.

But wait, there is more. They have a RM 1350 that had a minor problem that they fixed & are selling for half price, with new unit warrantee.

Gotta love a small company with a good attitude.

[wa8yxm]

When my cooling unit went contents up I replaced it with an Amish Built unit. I was seriously impressed by the quality of the replacement.. Alas I can not tell you how long it lasted cause the RV got totaled while parked (not my fault) (Turns out to have been a good thing however as it was about to hit me big time for repairs I ended up not needing) (I did need to do repairs. but not to the RV (I.. (Me, personally) Needed repairs.. The kind done by doctors) (So being parked is good).

The job was not as hard as it appeared. but I did hire a pro to help me.. I would suggest it.

We remmoved the Fridge (A 2 person job) after she dismantled the outer parts. Removed the "Back" (The shell is just Styrofoam) Bolted the new cooling unit on (With some heat transfer compound) and put it back in place.. Fired it up. Solved a problem I did not know about.. Fired it up and went to dinner (She drove I paid) came back and it was already cold inside. Very pleased with the replacement.. think it was better than a new RV unit.

[Boon_Docker]

I replaced mine a couple years ago and it was quite easy.
The replacement unit came with step by step easy to follow instructons.
Here is a Utube link to replacing the cooling unit that will give you some idea of what is involved.