Refrigerator issues for newbie

[davduck53]

Newbie here. Took our new to us 2005 Keystone Springdale out for our very first camping trip last weekend. Set up and everything was going great. Left the campsite for a couple of days to return to a very strong ammonia smell. I was pretty sure it was the Dometic refrigerator. It was working OK on electric (hadn't tried the propane yet). Now it won't turn on at all. My question, repair or replace ? I'm assuming it's shot.

[YoungKopernik]

Yep, ammonia leak is not good. I replaced my cooling unit in a past camper it was much cheaper and not to difficult.
I found many web sites that rebuilt them, if they had your model in stock they would send it out with a core charge for yours. If they didn't have one you had to send yours in to have it rebuilt.
I used ours for another two years before selling the camper, Im sure its still going strong.
Good Luck
John

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by davduck53

Newbie here. Took our new to us 2005 Keystone Springdale out for our very first camping trip last weekend. Set up and everything was going great. Left the campsite for a couple of days to return to a very strong ammonia smell. I was pretty sure it was the Dometic refrigerator. It was working OK on electric (hadn't tried the propane yet). Now it won't turn on at all. My question, repair or replace ? I'm assuming it's shot.

New cooling unit the way to go. Just shop around and get good price. Must have access to back of box, no refrigerant handling easy to change.

[Cajun Style]

www.rvrefrigeration.com

Do not turn the propane on the flame and ammonia might catch fire!



Harry-O

[Cajun Style]

You might be able to save the fridge it self if the inside is not ruined from the ammonia.
Ford has them with a very good warranty.


Harry-O

[davduck53]

Ford ?

[TimVWulp]

Originally Posted by davduck53

Newbie here. Took our new to us 2005 Keystone Springdale out for our very first camping trip last weekend. Set up and everything was going great. Left the campsite for a couple of days to return to a very strong ammonia smell. I was pretty sure it was the Dometic refrigerator. It was working OK on electric (hadn't tried the propane yet). Now it won't turn on at all. My question, repair or replace ? I'm assuming it's shot.

Hi check the web to find a repair shop for rv fridge. When you set TT up did you level the trailer. the fridge needs to be level for the ammonia to move through the piping of the fridge with out getting trapped in low spots if TT is not level.

Hope this helps tim

[Cajun Style]

Ford's Rv refrigeration repair.
They have a lot of video's on YouTube.
www.rvrefrigeration.com
The video's are great !


Harry-O

[reddiver]

My frig finally went toes up. Fortunately I had purchased a maintenance contract when I bought the unit. They OK'd a new frig. Should be good for another 12 years!!! A yellow stain around the bottom of the fire unit will indicate ammonia leak.

[Grampa Jim]

Replace the fridge.....I've been in the refrigeration business for 40 years, and the future is bleak when this happens. Turn the propane on and you'll still get no refrigeration. The ammonia is NOT flammable,,,,but it won't do you any good to do that anyways.

[davduck53]

Thanks to all.