I have a Dometic refrigerator, model NDR1292 and ser.# 34800082 in my 2001 Pace Arrow.
It stopped working twice during our last trip. The propane and the electric “heaters” were both working fine but the fridge started to defrost. Both times, I turned it off and let it completely defrost and re-started it and it worked OK. Both times it stopped working while travelling. The dealers I have talked to, tell me that the cooling unit is defective and needs to be replaced or replace the whole unit. Since it is a fairly big fridge, either option is VERY expensive.
Has anyone had similar problems and were able to repair it without replacing either units?
I think there is some kind of valve on the absorber canister at the bottom of the coils. Can the system be drained, flushed and re-filled with ammonia and other compounds that are needed? The system has not leaked since when it works , it works great???. Could anything else cause this beside the coils getting plugged by solids that have formed over the years?. I have tried “tapping“ on the coils with a stick to dislodge solids from plugging the coils and that didn’t work.
Any suggestions anyone?
Also, I have heard that there are strictly 12V refrigerator available for RV now. Anyone familiar with them?
Thank you
Art P.
It stopped working twice during our last trip. The propane and the electric “heaters” were both working fine but the fridge started to defrost. Both times, I turned it off and let it completely defrost and re-started it and it worked OK. Both times it stopped working while travelling. The dealers I have talked to, tell me that the cooling unit is defective and needs to be replaced or replace the whole unit. Since it is a fairly big fridge, either option is VERY expensive.
Has anyone had similar problems and were able to repair it without replacing either units?
I think there is some kind of valve on the absorber canister at the bottom of the coils. Can the system be drained, flushed and re-filled with ammonia and other compounds that are needed? The system has not leaked since when it works , it works great???. Could anything else cause this beside the coils getting plugged by solids that have formed over the years?. I have tried “tapping“ on the coils with a stick to dislodge solids from plugging the coils and that didn’t work.
Any suggestions anyone?
Also, I have heard that there are strictly 12V refrigerator available for RV now. Anyone familiar with them?
Thank you
Art P.