|
05-20-2019, 09:09 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 4
|
Ammonia smell in fridge
I'm getting an ammonia smell in my dual fridge (2019 Mini Lite 2509S) after it sits closed for a day or 2. Is the cooling unit toast? I have about 2 months left on the warranty. If it needs replacing what does that entail? A quick swap with a new unit or can these be repaired? I have the small dorm fridge in the outdoor kitchen so as long as it's not in the shop for weeks, short camping trips are not off the table.
|
|
|
05-20-2019, 09:15 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1,713
|
The ammonia absorption system is sealed as far as I know, you should not get an odor unless it is leaking.
__________________
2018 Ram 2500 Tradesman, CTD/CC/SB/4X4/Equalizer WDH
2019 Forest River Surveyor Legend 19BHLE
|
|
|
05-20-2019, 09:16 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
|
Toasted! Time for a new one. Check for options.
__________________
2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
|
|
|
05-20-2019, 11:07 AM
|
#4
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 4
|
Contacted dealer. They can get me in right away to check it out and most likely replace the cooling unit.
|
|
|
05-20-2019, 12:52 PM
|
#5
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 30
|
I had a 2004 unit that did the same thing. I started smelling ammonia and removed the outside fridge cover, there was a yellow colored staining noted. I was told that's evidence where the ammonia leaked out. I took it in as I was as still under warranty and it was repaired at no cost to me.
__________________
Towe443
2016 Chevrolet 3500HD
2017 Sierra 371REBH
|
|
|
05-20-2019, 02:52 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 214
|
Not good...!
__________________
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ Z92
2018 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8311WS
|
|
|
05-20-2019, 02:58 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
|
2019??? I am assuming warranty?
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas
|
|
|
05-20-2019, 03:13 PM
|
#8
|
Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,297
|
Yep toast. Should be replaced under warranty.
There are very few places that do repairs on frigs. I lucked out when I had my 1982 Winnibago frig go belly up and found a place right here in Cumming to repair only catch was I had to remove. Now that was a pain. Later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing. Traded 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
|
|
|
05-20-2019, 08:42 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 182
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MiniLiteMan
I'm getting an ammonia smell in my dual fridge (2019 Mini Lite 2509S) after it sits closed for a day or 2. Is the cooling unit toast? I have about 2 months left on the warranty. If it needs replacing what does that entail? A quick swap with a new unit or can these be repaired? I have the small dorm fridge in the outdoor kitchen so as long as it's not in the shop for weeks, short camping trips are not off the table.
|
Ammonia smell should very much not be there! Absorption type refrigerators use Ammonia (R-717) as the cooling gas, and are always tightly sealed. Interestingly, Ammonia is also used on really large systems, though with a compressor. All piping, valves, etc is typically steel or iron pipe, although I assume 400 series stainless would likewise be good. I would surely take the unit in for immediate repair! It is possible that the dealer told you they could take you right away because they are well aware of the potential hazards, and may even have a recall notice.
Refrigerators using a compressor generally are charged with R-134a, same as auto A/C. Non toxic, non-flammable.
|
|
|
05-20-2019, 09:56 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
|
My advice, DO NOT use the camper with the reefer in it until it is fixed. Ammonia Gas is Deadly!!
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
|
|
|
05-21-2019, 10:12 AM
|
#11
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 4
|
Took the outside cover off last night and couldn't find any yellow staining and no hint of ammonia smell. Smell is only inside fridge (not freezer) after the door is closed for a while and no sign of yellowing there either. Maybe a crack on the lines that run through the cooling fins? No smell in the camper when the fridge is closed. Not using the camper for now and flipped off the breaker for the fridge. Unit is under warranty and my dealer said to drop it off anytime they are open and they would get right on it, no appointment necessary. Other than this our Rockwood has been great. Only a loose curtain rod in the bunk and small leak from the outdoor kitchen faucet. A screw and a clamp and 5 minutes of my time fixed both.
|
|
|
05-22-2019, 01:15 PM
|
#12
|
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 12
|
My brand new Rockwood Roo 233S had the same issue a few weeks after I took delivery. I had the trailer in my driveway hooked up to my 30A service with refrigerator running while preparing the unit for maiden trip. strong ammonia smell only from by freezer box, no evidence from the outside of any leaks. Bottom line, my dealer came out to my house and replaced the cooling unit under warranty. Not an easy repair as they had to remove the refrigerator to get to the back of it. They replaced the whole assembly which was the size of the whole fridge, took several hours.
Good luck.
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|