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08-09-2022, 08:21 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 4
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Absorption fridge life expectancy
Hey guys! New to the forum. We have a Dometic RM2652 that is 25 years old this year, and still going strong. That got me to wondering if there is a certain life expectancy from these fridges? I know they don’t last forever unfortunately.
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08-09-2022, 10:14 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,643
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They do not come with an expiration date.
So many variables that affect how weel an absorption fridge functions and how long it will remain operational.
How well it was installed, Operating off level, Lack of routine maintenance, Low propane pressure, AC voltage out of range, Draft/airflow across backside of fridge etc
25 yrs is outstanding.
Could go many more years or die tomorrow.
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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08-09-2022, 10:18 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 140
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I have a 25 year old Norcold that is still going strong. With the rate things go out on this motorhome, always makes me wonder…. Got to love old motorhomes. Never a dull moment!
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08-09-2022, 12:53 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,723
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Quote:
Originally Posted by therhett17
Hey guys! New to the forum. We have a Dometic RM2652 that is 25 years old this year, and still going strong. That got me to wondering if there is a certain life expectancy from these fridges? I know they don’t last forever unfortunately.
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Usually within 3 months of 'wondering' something like that !
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Ben & Sharon
2008 43' Holiday Rambler Scepter PDQ
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08-09-2022, 01:07 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide
Usually within 3 months of 'wondering' something like that !
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That's Ben for you ; always the optimist.
Now back to the OP's question .
As Old-Biscuit has posted , there are many variables , my Dometic had a cooling unit replaced 6 years after it was new , and is operating fine 16 years later . Since I purchased the coach the fridge is operating 5 1/2 to 6 months a year ( in the desert SW 12 seasons ) so no exposure to damp salty air .
Best advice I can give is to look for parts supply and have a plan; be it Amish cooling unit , 12 volt DC compressor conversion or residential install ; make up you mind what you would do in the event of failure and be ready to institute the plan .
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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08-09-2022, 02:36 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,723
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip426
That's Ben for you ; always the optimist.
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Hey, I just received an ARP Fridge Defend for my '07 Dometic that's still on it's original cooling unit!
I call that pretty optimistic
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Ben & Sharon
2008 43' Holiday Rambler Scepter PDQ
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08-09-2022, 05:36 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 226
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I've got 22 years on my Dometic NDR1292 and still going strong. I just pulled the refer to service the ice maker supply line. Got me thinking about how much longer this thing will last. I'm debating now if I want to go the Amish route or replace with residential when the time comes.
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2000 Fleetwood Discovery 36T
Living Life in the Foothills of East TN
Go Dawgs!
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08-09-2022, 07:17 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 411
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I have a Dometic that is 25 years old and still working great. Working better than most people describe theirs as working. That being said I have ordered a new Dometic 12 volt refrigerator to replace the old unit. I plan to keep the old unit until I fully test out the new one, but I went the 12 volt route as a plan to also add more solar and eventually better batteries.
While refrigerator fires are rare I have 2 dogs that stay inside my RV and a wife that will euthanize me if there is a fire while the dogs are inside. That and the fact that it doesn't always need to be level helped make the decision to replace the old unit. I know I am on borrowed time so why not just bite the bullet and replace it before it fails instead of on a trip when I need it.
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Carl
1998 Beaver Patriot Savannah
330 hp Cat 3126 DP
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08-09-2022, 07:23 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,455
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My Norcold started dying at ~17 years and finally gave up the ghost at 18 years. But it was a slow costly death, don't know how much $$$ in food I lost.
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Jim J
2002 Monaco Windsor 38 PKD Cummins ISC 350 8.3L
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/5.7 Hemi
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08-09-2022, 07:27 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Indiana
Posts: 176
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We had a Norcold go out at at 24 years old. Leaked all the liquid out.. Stunk up the MH horrible as we tried to get to our destination... We had Towels wrapped around our heads... The looks we got from other drivers.. !
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2008 Damon Thor Outlaw
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08-09-2022, 08:45 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Wandering below the Gnat Line
Posts: 1,987
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29 years now on a Dometic 2852, used fulltime since 2012. I installed an ARP back in 2014. I've been really careful about leveling.
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-jbh-
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08-09-2022, 09:54 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Pacific Northwest and Arizona
Posts: 2,040
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I swapped out our 4 door Norcold for residential in 2020 and our motorhome build year was 1997. The Norcold still worked fine.
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Tom and Pris M. along with Buddy the 18 year old Siamese cat
1998 Safari Serengeti 3706, 300HP Cat 3126 Allison 3060, 900 watts of Solar.
Dragging four telescopes around the US in search of dark skies.
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08-09-2022, 09:59 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,200
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Our Dometic 2652 is now 26 years old.
Like old-Brisquit said do the maintenance, andiron it level.
We make sure ours is level, before we fire it up.
If we get stuck in traffic on a steep mountain road (has happened) we turn it off.
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Always bring your A game.
1996 Flair 29V, 454 TBI, 4L80E. Your life is your story, don't let someone dictate your story.
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08-09-2022, 10:41 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: BC
Posts: 197
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OK I'll bite - what maintenance?
__________________
2004 35' Triple E Embassy Diesel
Little Red Truck toad (2003 Ranger Edge)
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