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Old 02-07-2018, 09:07 PM   #1
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Amish Cooling Unit Failure(s)?

I'm interesting in knowing if your Amish cooling unit failed. I know there are a lot of them working fine, but I'm trying to get an idea of failures.

I was talking to a reputable absorption fridge repair guy today.

He stated that he had a pile of them behind his shop and he refused to install them anymore on any absorption fridge.

Curious if yours failed.
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Old 02-07-2018, 10:19 PM   #2
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Find another "reputable absorption fridge repair guy". He doesn't know what he is doing or talking about. Call RV Cooling Unit Warehouse (RVCoolingUnit.com) –and talk to David Force. He'll recommend installers in your area. We had ours professionally installed 4 years ago and it is night and day from the stock unit. Freezer at 0, fridge at 35 set at 4-5. Doesn't care what the outside temp is.

Nearly all the failures you read about on this and other forums were DIY installs. It is critical that they are properly sealed to the back of the fridge and that is where the failures come from. These units have two cooling loops, the tubing is thicker and powder coated and the fans are better. It is a vastly improved cooling unit. If you primarily boondock like we do you won't be disappointed in an Amish unit that is properly installed.

If and when we ever do decide to install a residential fridge, it will be the Fisher-Paykel 17 cu ft cabinet depth model. It is nearly identical in size to the Norcold 1200 and will fit in our coach with the layout we have. Good luck.
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Old 02-08-2018, 09:01 AM   #3
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Find another "reputable absorption fridge repair guy". He doesn't know what he is doing or talking about. Call RV Cooling Unit Warehouse (RVCoolingUnit.com) –and talk to David Force. He'll recommend installers in your area. We had ours professionally installed 4 years ago and it is night and day from the stock unit. Freezer at 0, fridge at 35 set at 4-5. Doesn't care what the outside temp is.

Nearly all the failures you read about on this and other forums were DIY installs. It is critical that they are properly sealed to the back of the fridge and that is where the failures come from. These units have two cooling loops, the tubing is thicker and powder coated and the fans are better. It is a vastly improved cooling unit. If you primarily boondock like we do you won't be disappointed in an Amish unit that is properly installed.

If and when we ever do decide to install a residential fridge, it will be the Fisher-Paykel 17 cu ft cabinet depth model. It is nearly identical in size to the Norcold 1200 and will fit in our coach with the layout we have. Good luck.
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Old 02-08-2018, 12:53 PM   #4
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Amish cooling unit

Hello,
I replaced my old cooling unit with the helium charged unit. Added two new fans, baffle, and installed the unit myself. I quadruple checked all wires and sealed the unit just like they say to. Quadruple ckecked that also. Installed the fridge back in it's place and it lasted just a a few weeks past the 3 year warranty. 3 days ago it died. Same exact thing. It burst with the yellow residue AND the ammonia smell. I thought I would never smell that again with the helium model. Anyways, I now am in the process of finding a residential fridge and be done with it.
Very frustrated. Those cooling units are not cheap and it takes some time to replace.
My new dilemma is finding a residential fridge that fits.
Thanks,
Tim
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Old 02-08-2018, 09:47 PM   #5
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Hello,
I replaced my old cooling unit with the helium charged unit. Added two new fans, baffle, and installed the unit myself. I quadruple checked all wires and sealed the unit just like they say to. Quadruple ckecked that also. Installed the fridge back in it's place and it lasted just a a few weeks past the 3 year warranty. 3 days ago it died. Same exact thing. It burst with the yellow residue AND the ammonia smell. I thought I would never smell that again with the helium model. Anyways, I now am in the process of finding a residential fridge and be done with it.
Very frustrated. Those cooling units are not cheap and it takes some time to replace.
My new dilemma is finding a residential fridge that fits.
Thanks,
Tim
dang ...
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Old 02-08-2018, 09:55 PM   #6
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Mine is still working great after 3 yrs full time. Freezes ice cream in 100 deg weather. Failures 1 out of three, so far....
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Old 02-08-2018, 10:12 PM   #7
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Mine is still working great after 3 yrs full time. Freezes ice cream in 100 deg weather. Failures 1 out of three, so far....
Define?
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Old 02-09-2018, 06:46 AM   #8
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I have done some preliminary research in case our fridge takes a dirt nap. I have spoken with a few of the manufacturers and came up with this.

Replacement Cooling Units for RV Refrigerators

I spoke with this company and they use the heaviest metal thickness in the industry. He also said he had a pile of amish units in his junk pile that he replaced. In the website they reference the thickest metal boiler in the industry and their own design on boiler. I know there are several manufacturers out there and I would do some research before buying any including to verify what I am saying. I also have an arp safety that I am installing on our fridge. Again I spoke with the owner of above company and he had a lot of information, less marketing. See what you come up with....
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Old 02-09-2018, 08:59 AM   #9
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I have done some preliminary research in case our fridge takes a dirt nap. I have spoken with a few of the manufacturers and came up with this.

Replacement Cooling Units for RV Refrigerators

I spoke with this company and they use the heaviest metal thickness in the industry. He also said he had a pile of amish units in his junk pile that he replaced. In the website they reference the thickest metal boiler in the industry and their own design on boiler. I know there are several manufacturers out there and I would do some research before buying any including to verify what I am saying. I also have an arp safety that I am installing on our fridge. Again I spoke with the owner of above company and he had a lot of information, less marketing. See what you come up with....
Interesting, thanks for this! I hadn't heard of this company until now.
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Old 02-09-2018, 12:10 PM   #10
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Interesting, thanks for this! I hadn't heard of this company until now.
I've never heard of these folks and I researched this to no end. Very low budget , vague website. Looks like they use the exact same design as the NoCold unit. Why would he have a pile of Amish units in his junk yard? Is he an installer or just a salesman? Ask him what the industry uses for thickness, what the Amish is and what their unit thickness is. I'd be interested in knowing.

Read my post again and then read plasma 800. Another DIY install. Why people think then can do anything is beyond me. As the great Dirty Harry said.."A man has to know his limitations" and I know mine. Get the Amish unit installed professionally or get a residential and a lot of solar and batteries if you dry camp.

I just brought my coach out of hibernation and the Norcold with Amish is purring like a kitten. Think I'll go get a cold one out of there.
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Old 02-09-2018, 01:30 PM   #11
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I purchased a cooling unit from these people back August 2007 for a 5th. wheel I had at the time. In April 2012 I sold the camper and the frig was still working perfect, my camper had even sat unused for 3-4 years before I sold it. They even paid to have my old core picked up and sent back to them. I think that is still their policy. Definitely a learning experience but nothing that I would not attempt again. you definitely save some $$$ when going this rate.
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Old 02-10-2018, 09:29 AM   #12
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I agree that the website is lacking. That's why I called and spoke with the owner and he did some explaining. A lot of business such as mine actually focus on the quality of the product and may not put forward the best representation. I have to have my website updated LOL.

The guy builds the cooling units and also installs them, that's why he has blown units at his shop.

I also like the great rvcoooling site but it is a guy marketing "amish" cooling units. These units can be sourced from anywhere. The other site that isn't so sparkly is the direct manufacturer. So...

Do your research as I said earlier. There is also a place called dutch aire. They are also an amish manufacturer not a marketing site.

I spent many days when I though our fridge was on it's way out so this is my opinion anyway. I feel strongly that what ever unit you buy needs to be of good quality for obvious reasons.
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Old 02-10-2018, 10:52 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by funjnt View Post
I have done some preliminary research in case our fridge takes a dirt nap. I have spoken with a few of the manufacturers and came up with this.

Replacement Cooling Units for RV Refrigerators

I spoke with this company and they use the heaviest metal thickness in the industry. He also said he had a pile of amish units in his junk pile that he replaced. In the website they reference the thickest metal boiler in the industry and their own design on boiler. I know there are several manufacturers out there and I would do some research before buying any including to verify what I am saying. I also have an arp safety that I am installing on our fridge. Again I spoke with the owner of above company and he had a lot of information, less marketing. See what you come up with....
I think there is a ton of bad reviews on this company!
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Old 02-10-2018, 02:15 PM   #14
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Not to argue here, but if we all had the mindset of hiring a professional to do things we know we can do ourselves we would never learn anything. I am a very handy person. Before buying the amish cooling unit I did my homework as we all seem to do.
I read all the posts how it is not a very hard job to do. I asked many many questions with the company. (David) He answered all of my questions and made me feel confident enough to do the project myself.
Even in the midst of the project he answered my wiring questions.
I always make a habit of checking things numerous times to see if the step was done correctly before going to the next step.
Don't know why it is hard to believe anyone would tackle this job and not pay a professional to do it.

I take my time where some professionals rush through things.
I feel as if I have to defend myself for doing the job myself.
Anyways, have a great day.
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