Comments on: Dometic recall, part 2

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:28:46 +0000

Hi Eric,
I would keep on Dometic- they have been known to repair units even past the warranty period. Most likely you will have to pay labor, and maybe shipping, but I would spend some phone time with them to get a new unit supplied.

By: bill allred

bill allred — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:23:17 +0000

I have a 2001 keystone with a domectic rm2652 that is on the recall list.
In late march the unit went from electric to gas on the automatic cycle when eleticity was diconnected.
The ammonia gas chamber overheated to a boiling point and gases escaped into the trailer. Uppon notifying Dometic they said it would not be repaied under the recall and I would have to buy another cooling unit. I am looking for anyone with the same results for a class action law suite.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:50:32 +0000

My Grandfather has an RV equipped (unequipped at the moment) with a Dometic NDR 1292 refrigerator. The unit has failed apparently the result of a faulty cooling unit. Finding the yellow powdery substance on the components in the back. I called Dometic and without even getting through to an attendant was immediately prompted to a recall message on 2 door refrigerators. Seems there is a recall due to coolant coils becoming fatigued and consequently leaking, in this case ammonia. Not only dangerous but now no working refrigerator. But, the NDR 1292 is not said to be covered under this recall! Without being a refrigeration tech this seems to be what is going on and I am only wondering if others who own this unit or encountering this same problem. Don’t yet know if this issue is going to be covered under warranty and it looks like rebuilt units run about $795 plus shipping. Any thoughts or suggestions?

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:05:32 +0000

Hi Dan,
I kind of doubt it- the side by side cooling unit uses 2 smaller elements, and is built on a different assembly line than the recalled units, so it doesn’t have the same issues.
Unfortunately, some units of every make and model do fail there though.

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:40:46 +0000

My unit, NDR 1292, is not covered under the recall but has just experienced the same failure as the recall, ammonia smell and yellow substance on the gas burner. Will Dometic pay for repairs on this unit?

By: charles Howard

charles Howard — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:01:41 +0000

Any company that claims to be superior but doesn’t back their junk is not worth my allegiance.
Bought a used 2005 RV in Dec. Dometic 2862 leaked ammonia / failed since I first looked at it. Owner used RV about 6 months in the less than 3 years he owned it.
Dometic told me sorry, second owner…
Replaced with Whirlpool Apt size Residential Fridge. Did have to sand down the woodwork to make it fit - 24″ wide much vary…Then just plug it in and it cools down in 30 minutes. Much less expensive than paying for a replacement cooling unit or the bother of removing the old one and installing a new one. Guess we’ll just have to stay at Campgrounds with power…
As a newbie, I’m very frightened by all the Dometic stuff in or on my RV given this simple technology failure demonstration of presumably the most expensive Dometic item on board.

By: robert pettit

robert pettit — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:26:47 +0000

Since my post on Dec 11th I have received a call from my service dealer saying that Dometic is replacing my failed cooling unit under warranty. I am not the original owner and the unit is beyond warranty.
My concern now is that will the replacement unit be the same as the problem ones, and if so, what happens when it too fails later on?

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 22:12:10 +0000

Hi Richard,
That’s a tough one- it *used* to be that the major failure in absorption cooling units was either clogging up of the boiler tube, or leaking in the evaporator (inside the box). To prevent these failures, simply running the refrigerator all the time was the best thing.
But… with the failures of the boiler tube externally, it would be best to only run it while you are using it, in my opinion- the reason being that the failures are due to thermal stress from cycling on and off.

–Chris

By: Richard Murphy

Richard Murphy — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 15:55:06 +0000

I have a Question:

Is it better to leave the refrigerator on all the time? or cut it off when not in use

I have heard both ways.

Thanks

By: Richard Murphy

Richard Murphy — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 01:43:41 +0000

My unit went out and the Dometic Company replaced the

cooling system at no charge. And the new unit had the

recall kit on it. Hope all is well, this is a new

trip for me.