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02-25-2005, 03:59 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 248
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Opened my fridge today after not using it for two months and got a blast of ammonia. I immediately closed the door. I assume that the cooling unit it shot (leaking). I am taking the Coach out next weekend and don't have time too replace the fridge. What should I do? Will it be ok to just keep the door closed?
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02-25-2005, 03:59 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 248
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Opened my fridge today after not using it for two months and got a blast of ammonia. I immediately closed the door. I assume that the cooling unit it shot (leaking). I am taking the Coach out next weekend and don't have time too replace the fridge. What should I do? Will it be ok to just keep the door closed?
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02-26-2005, 01:45 AM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 12,060
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Bill, sorry to hear that your ref. took a dive. It is leaking and will require at leak a new cooling unit to repair. If you can live out of a cooler on your outing just keep the doors closed on the ref (maybe even put some tape to hold it and remind yourself) NOT TO OPEN THE DOOR! There is no other harm that can be done.
__________________
Mike, RVIA & RVSA Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, Dr. Assistant - Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 450 hp & 1330# torque
06 Saturn Vue, 06 Chevy Z71 4x4 & 2014 Corvette Z51 M7
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02-26-2005, 06:08 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 248
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Thanks for the reply Mike. I opened the roof vents and left the fridge open last night, doesn't smell at all now, possibly all the ammonia is gone?
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02-27-2005, 07:30 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Traveling in the East
Posts: 533
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YJ Bill,you should shut off power and propane to frig.
Joe
An Indian and a Gypsy
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02-27-2005, 10:44 AM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
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While there is little chance for an explosion, there is a very remote chance. I don't remember what the numbers are, but the is a very limited range where ammonia and air can be ignited. It will not sustain a flame unless there is a constant ignition source. Basically it wil pop and once the concentration is out of range, it will go out.
Best not to use it. There is not enough ammonia in the cooling unit to really harm you, espically with a slow leak, but the concentration can get high enough to cause some irriation of the eyes, nose and throat.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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02-27-2005, 07:36 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: mans,ohio
Posts: 16
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Wow that really stink's ..But does this mean the fridge has too be replaced? or could it just be recharged?Does this happen to all units. can it be prolonged with some sort of maintance..inquiring Mind's just gotta know..Amos
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02-28-2005, 07:06 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by amoose:
Wow that really stink's ..But does this mean the fridge has too be replaced? or could it just be recharged?Does this happen to all units. can it be prolonged with some sort of maintance..inquiring Mind's just gotta know..Amos </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
It is toast...:-)
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02-28-2005, 07:38 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 8,854
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If you smell ammonia, the cooling unit is almost certainly corroded. Unless you know for certain that the refrigerant loss was due to localized damage, replacement of the cooling unit or, depending on age, the fridge itself is your best bet.
Rusty
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02-28-2005, 11:41 AM
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,948
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Generally they are nor repairable. With the ammonia and water, it is a very delicate balance to get the right percentage of each plus a corrosion inhibitor. There are very few people that understand the ammonia absorption sytem and even few when it comes to repair. If it is over abour 10 years old, I'd replace the refrig in total.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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03-10-2005, 05:03 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 248
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Thanks for the replies everyone.
It's the original fridge in a 20 year old coach.
I have a used cooling unit that was scavaged out of fridge of the exact same model that a friend replaced when the electronics went bad.
Am I nuts too try to replace the cooling unit in a fridge this old?
I'm not planning on keeping the coach a whole lot longer and would like to sell it with working appliances.
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03-11-2005, 01:45 AM
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 12,060
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Bill, with the 120 volt heating element in the used cooling unit you should be able to test it to be sure it is good before going thru all the trouble of putting it in. Stand the unit up straight and wire the heating element to a plug and plug it directly into a receptacle. It should be cooling in a few hours. If so you could go thru the labor of removing the ref. and gutting out the cooling unit and install the good used one. Be sure to use a thermastic compound to help transfer heat from the fins & plate to cooling unit. Also be sure to seal the unit it good to help reduce frost build up. It will take probably 4-5 hours if you have not done one before.
__________________
Mike, RVIA & RVSA Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, Dr. Assistant - Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 450 hp & 1330# torque
06 Saturn Vue, 06 Chevy Z71 4x4 & 2014 Corvette Z51 M7
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03-11-2005, 10:34 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 248
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RV Wizard, I tried it the cooling unit in the garage and it works, that was a great idea, thanks.
Now where do I pick up this thermastic compound?
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03-11-2005, 06:40 PM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 12,060
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Check with an rv service center or possible an appliance repair shop.
__________________
Mike, RVIA & RVSA Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, Dr. Assistant - Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 450 hp & 1330# torque
06 Saturn Vue, 06 Chevy Z71 4x4 & 2014 Corvette Z51 M7
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