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Old 01-17-2025, 10:05 AM   #1
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Fridge problem, Yellow goop around bottom of chimney

First let me say this girl is GOOD. RV Repair Woman...
https://m.youtube.com/@rvrepairwoman
She's not been doing this long, but she has laid out the electrical part of the fridge system in a way that it is easy to understand.

I just got back from a trip and cleaned the fridge out, everything was good. Getting ready for a new trip and fridge will not get cold or even close to cold in either electric or propane mode.

After watching her video and having lights on the eyebrow board, I went out to start getting my hands into the system. I was going to pop the cover on the circuit board, but did an initial check for heat on the chimney. None, so I just took the cover plate off and that's when I had a bad feeling (photo).

1994 31ft Fleetwood Jamboree Rallye
Dometic RM2820 installed Sept 2003.
Previous owners kept pretty good records.

What do y'all think?

BTW, I just put a new roof on it, new plywood all the way from front to back, so I have some money invested it for the long term.

Thanks, Phil
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Old 01-17-2025, 10:27 AM   #2
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I've been told that's the anti corrosive that's added to the sealed system, so it's leaked out, toast, done, finished.



Do you want a replacement cooling system? new absorbtion fridge? or compressor fridge? Or, what are your priorities?
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Old 01-17-2025, 10:42 AM   #3
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Yes that Yellow Residue is the rust inhibitor (sodium chromate) added to the coolant solution (ammonia, water) which interacts with the hydrogen gas

You have developed a leak in the boiler section from overheating which could be due to off level operation, sodium chromate crystalizing blocking tubes, ventilation obstructions, burner/propane issues etc.

Once a leak has occurred the cooling unit is dead.......
Unplug the AC Power Cord, remove the Main Source DC Fuse (or the DC fuse on Circuit board)

Sodium Chromate is TOXIC
Work it wet for cleanup.........Mask, Goggles, Gloves to be safe
*Do NOT use compressed High to blow it out
*Wet it...use a shop vac to clean up or wet rags

Replace cooling unit....either another A/C-LP Absorption, A 12VDC Compressor Unit or new fridge
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Old 01-17-2025, 04:47 PM   #4
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We stay pretty level. I'm thinking it just got tired. Or maybe the previous owner had issues, but we've had it a little over 2 years with no issues. It just gave up the ghost.

As for what to do about it... There sure seems like a lot of options. Requirements? We take it out about a week each month, a mix of state parks with power and water and national forest dry camping. We took it on a 7 week trip this summer, overnighting at Walmart for 2 or 3 days at a time till we got to the parks. I think we'll continue that week-a-month and a long trip each year. We're planning a wild west tour in a few years, may 3 to 6 months... (You know, just our version regular camping if there is such a thing.)

I'm sort of liking changing out the cooling system with one from JC's Refrigeration. My repair guy is thinking go with a residential model and invertet with a few more Li batteries and some solar panels. We've not made that leap yet, but an inverter is on the short list for the microwave and toaster oven. I'm also thinking 12v compressor model. Or combo units. It's hard to wrap my head around all the options and which will be best for us down the road. I'm a tech and solar sounds like fun, but will it do what we want it to...? Like Sting said, too much information running through my mind.

I'll be surfing the options and pros/cons of each, trying to decide what to do, how to do it and what equipment to use. Definitely going to take a spreadsheet to help figure it out. I'll probably get lost in the paralysis of analysis. But I do need to do something sort of quick, right now I have 2 ice chest in front of me and funding the convenience store's son's college education with ice trips. I hope these coolers don't spring a leak!

Thanks, Phil
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Old 01-17-2025, 05:08 PM   #5
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I like a dorm fridge, or one of the 7-10 cu ft, or a chest freezer with a modified thermostat, or a "fridge cooler" inside for a quick solution. And 48V Li for the ultimate solution, but some prefer a propane fridge, and propane stores a lot of energy.
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Old 01-17-2025, 05:44 PM   #6
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Our DP had a Norcold 1210 LP/AC fridge that did the same as yours. We had the JC 12V cooling unit installed on the existing box and are delighted with it. Now, we live in Indiana so we could take it to their facility. It took them about 2 hours to install and then we stayed a night locally to make sure all was good.
Very satisfied with the battery amp draw (~5amps/hour). It did require they run a 10ga wire from the unit (road side) to the battery bank (curb side) but no other mods were required.
Just as an fyi, we actually removed a residential unit to put the Norcold in originally as it just was not right for how we normally camp. Others will have other opinions. Similar to you, we are normally dry camping at a track for 4-5 days at a time and I do run the generator for coffee, microwave, etc. but I can go a full 24 hours not doing that and be fine with the 12v unit.
Good luck.
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Old 01-17-2025, 06:23 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVers29325 View Post
I'm a tech and solar sounds like fun, but will it do what we want it to...?
It IS fun, and it will do what you want it to do if you buy enough of it.
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Old 01-17-2025, 06:47 PM   #8
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JC Refrigeration does good work and has good products. They claim to have a 12V compressor refrigerator that has low power requirements and is a substitute for the conventional RV unit.

Quote:
Originally Posted by RVers29325 View Post
We stay pretty level. I'm thinking it just got tired. Or maybe the previous owner had issues, but we've had it a little over 2 years with no issues. It just gave up the ghost.

As for what to do about it... There sure seems like a lot of options. Requirements? We take it out about a week each month, a mix of state parks with power and water and national forest dry camping. We took it on a 7 week trip this summer, overnighting at Walmart for 2 or 3 days at a time till we got to the parks. I think we'll continue that week-a-month and a long trip each year. We're planning a wild west tour in a few years, may 3 to 6 months... (You know, just our version regular camping if there is such a thing.)

I'm sort of liking changing out the cooling system with one from JC's Refrigeration. My repair guy is thinking go with a residential model and invertet with a few more Li batteries and some solar panels. We've not made that leap yet, but an inverter is on the short list for the microwave and toaster oven. I'm also thinking 12v compressor model. Or combo units. It's hard to wrap my head around all the options and which will be best for us down the road. I'm a tech and solar sounds like fun, but will it do what we want it to...? Like Sting said, too much information running through my mind.

I'll be surfing the options and pros/cons of each, trying to decide what to do, how to do it and what equipment to use. Definitely going to take a spreadsheet to help figure it out. I'll probably get lost in the paralysis of analysis. But I do need to do something sort of quick, right now I have 2 ice chest in front of me and funding the convenience store's son's college education with ice trips. I hope these coolers don't spring a leak!

Thanks, Phil
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Old 01-17-2025, 07:11 PM   #9
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Hmmm, still figuring this out, but after only an hour of surfing this is what I'm leaning toward.

Nope on the upgraded cooling, this thing is too old.

*Probably* a nope on a new 12v unit, they are expensive and then you still need to buy more batteries and will most likely want solar.

I'm leaning toward a 120v unit, they are CHEAP, but may just be low priced and a solid investment. If it fails in 5,10,15 years, then it will be cheap to replace. I'll still need to add more batteries (from 2x100ah to 4x100ah) and install an inverter. That shouldn't be to difficult in my setup. As for the solar, might as well get a new toy out of this project... Who said 'never let a crisis go without getting some benefit out of it'. I just had a new roof put on a few months ago, might as well start punching holes in it now for the solar. Have you ever noticed that when they pave a road, it seems like the next day they have to dig a hole in it to fix something.

Now I'm trying to figure out how much solar can I get on my roof. Time to do some measuring.

At least that's my reasoning, I've been wrong before, a long time ago, I may be due for a big screw-up.

TTYL, Phil
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Old 01-17-2025, 07:48 PM   #10
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Just did a face palm. I'm getting cold, turned space heater, ice chest right beside it! Set the ice chest outside went around 3x with bug repellent and locked the lid to keep the squirrels and raccoons out. Waiting for the bear!
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Old 01-17-2025, 11:38 PM   #11
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USED solar panels are almost free in my area (Ca). So whatever amount of watts you think you might need...just double it and call it a day!


Warning: Solar is addictive!


Side Note: I replaced a cooling unit once, and I knew NOTHING about refrigerators before doing it...it ended up being one of the easier projects I've done! Lots of great videos out there.


-Chris
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Old 01-18-2025, 06:11 PM   #12
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My repair tech is thinking 2 more batteries plus the 2 I already have, a 4k inverter, 2 panels (size?), Solar controller and Magic Chef fridge. All for about $1500. Right now that sounds awesome. I'm getting the details on the equipment. I'll probably ask for 2 more panels. And maybe upgrades where possible and affordable. If I can get 800w of panels, plus whatever else I can squeeze in for $2k, I'm going for it.

Might even fix a mistake I made on the first set of batteries, should have gotten a different DC- DC controller. Renogy has a new one now the senses alternator running.

I am very curious about the make and model of the equipment he's proposing. He does a pretty good job on what he does and if it ain't right, he'll fix it. We got a new roof after his coating failed for a good price. Not his fault though. That was miserable for everybody involved, but it turned out better than I had hoped, all new wood gave me a woody!

Any advice on the conversation I'll have with him. I've learned more about solar in the last 24hrs than I have in the last 2yrs of just thinking about it.

TYYL, Phil
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Old 01-18-2025, 07:05 PM   #13
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I went with the $750?? 12V JC compressor conversion on my 1st RV. Was a huge gain over the original absorption setup. 1 hr to cool vs 12hrs and maintianed temps way better. But the temps still fluctuated some since it still cools the same way, freezer 1st then fridge

My second RV, I removed the absorption fridge and replaced with the Magic Chef fridge that fit the hole like it was made for it. Plus I was able to close up the side wall and roof vent. Added a dedicated inverter and a transfer switch. That sold me on never going with an RV fridge again. Temps always steady, larger capacity and cheaper ($225??)
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Old 01-18-2025, 07:10 PM   #14
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I replaced my absorption unit with a dual 12v compressor unit last summer. I found out it uses more power than they say it does. It does keep the fridge cold. The freezer part is down to around 0. Part of the problem is on that 20-year-old fridge the gaskets don't seal like they should. They aren't torn but they are stiffer than they should be, just age. So good choice on total replacement. So far as solar I've been looking for it also. If you have thew room and the resources I would suggest going with 4 panels right away because I think you will be happier with the extra. As long as you are doing it the cost is not much more and h there is not the problem of tying it all together. The inverter will have some efficiency lose so you need to figure that in. And then once you have it you will be tempted to use other items on it also. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
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