Dometic RM8551

[75thRanger]

Dometic replaced my fridge on my 21. It wouldn't cool and it was finally determined that the cooling unit was defective.

My RV dealer did all the work and had to remove the trailer door to get the fridge in. Charged two hours labor to do it. I have checked the door very carefully and can't tell it was removed/replaced.

They tell me they do it routinely an it's no big deal.

I called Dave at ETI and they reimbursed me for the labor. Nice!

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Dave removing the screen ,which I did to install my new floor is what I would do . There are a few refrigerators out there that would work . I just in case have checked . Pat

Pat: Only suggesting it as an absolute last resort if one finds a fridge they want that just can't fit through the doorway. Some may not even realize that removing the cooling unit is an option.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Pat: Only suggesting it as an absolute last resort if one finds a fridge they want that just can't fit through the doorway. Some may not even realize that removing the cooling unit is an option.

I know Dave, basically just commenting it really isn’t a problem . There are many ways to install if you need to ,a new or different refrigerator . And I for one am not worried if it ever comes to that . Pat

[John in Santa Cruz]

fwiw, on the classic 21's, the door folds back flush so probably doesn't need removal ... but the screen might.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

fwiw, on the classic 21's, the door folds back flush so probably doesn't need removal ... but the screen might.

John really on our trailers if needed the screen and it’s frame Are in the way Pat

[MyronL]

On my 2013 19 the door opening is 22¼ inches wide and the screen door is 24¼ inches wide. Wondering if I can gain another quarter inch of width by removing the black gasket. Of course, that's a moot point since I found out the narrowest 4 cu ft Dometic costs $1300 beans and might not scrape by anyway.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by MyronL

On my 2013 19 the door opening is 22¼ inches wide and the screen door is 24¼ inches wide. Wondering if I can gain another quarter inch of width by removing the black gasket. Of course, that's a moot point since I found out the narrowest 4 cu ft Dometic costs $1300 beans and might not scrape by anyway.

Myron I never measured the screen door and my previous post was spell checked . Just commenting there are solutions and I am not worried . Always could remove the refrigerator door too . I think when I was looking I found I think they were Norcold ‘s that would work . I have also considered putting in a compressor drawer on a slide or a compressor refrigerator etc. I don’t think I want to lose the gas refrigerator at this time . I think because these refrigerators are so expensive would fix mine first even if I had to pay for it . I hate paying for labor but as was mentioned a rv tech maybe could solve this pretty quick . Good luck Myron and let us know what happens . As I said before these refrigerators aren’t as robust as they used to be and they require constant maintenance and maybe part fixes . Pat

[75thRanger]

Originally Posted by 75thRanger

Dometic replaced my fridge on my 21. It wouldn't cool and it was finally determined that the cooling unit was defective.

My RV dealer did all the work and had to remove the trailer door to get the fridge in. Charged two hours labor to do it. I have checked the door very carefully and can't tell it was removed/replaced.

They tell me they do it routinely an it's no big deal.

I called Dave at ETI and they reimbursed me for the labor. Nice!

I should have said that the entire door frame assembly was removed in order to replace the fridge.

[MyronL]

What I don't get is why Escape insists on installing a 3-way refrigerator as standard, instead of a 2-way. Anyone who has tried it finds out pretty quick that running a fridge on battery power is the quickest way to totally deplete that battery.

[cpaharley2008]

Sometimes manufacturers charge more for less. Same for automobiles, a lot of standard items may not be needed nor wanted but are included....anything less will cost you more,,,,,?? With standardization comes economies of scale in production which lowers the cost and increases the profit margin....

[Kingfish]

In the past when I have had problems operating on gas, simply cleaning the orifice and horizontal burner/flue with a bore brush fixed it. I've never tried to clean the vertical flue above the flame. This time, after cleaning, it ignites with a healthy looking flame, but the electronic igniter keeps on clicking and it shuts down after about a minute. Any suggestions would be most welcome!!!

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Kingfish

In the past when I have had problems operating on gas, simply cleaning the orifice and horizontal burner/flue with a bore brush fixed it. I've never tried to clean the vertical flue above the flame. This time, after cleaning, it ignites with a healthy looking flame, but the electronic igniter keeps on clicking and it shuts down after about a minute. Any suggestions would be most welcome!!!

Same here with older Dometic RM2510. When performance on gas would seem to deteriorate a cleaning of the burner tube and soaking of the orifice in alcohol does the trick. If you bang on the vertical flue pipe a bunch of fine crude will break free and fall into the burner tube reducing performance. So if you do bang on do it right before you clean the burner tube! Make sure you got your ignitor and thermocouple positioned properly relative to the burner when you reassembled. Not exactly sure why the spark would continue though unless the thermocouple is not hot enough and the fridge doesn't think it is lit yet.

[Vermilye]

Wrong Thread...

[davidmurphy02]

This has been interesting and enlightening to follow after everything I went through with my furnace, ultimately replacing the gas valve. No fridge problems yet, but I already feel much more able to diagnose and repair it if something does pop up down the road. Love the forum!

[sunrisetrucker]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

When performance on gas would seem to deteriorate a cleaning of the burner tube and soaking of the orifice in alcohol does the trick.

I do the same thing. I've gotten to the point now where I listen to the noise of the flame and if it is not loud enough I remove the orifice and soak it in alcohol. The performance difference is quite noticeable.

[Kingfish]

Additionally, and it's worked for me twice now, de-pressurize the propane system and tap on the valve with a wrench.

[Kingfish]

Originally Posted by sunrisetrucker

I do the same thing. I've gotten to the point now where I listen to the noise of the flame and if it is not loud enough I remove the orifice and soak it in alcohol. The performance difference is quite noticeable.

Yes!!! That is the way I do it also.

[MyronL]

After years of aggravation over inconsistent performance, orifice cleaning, exotic flue additions, fans, removing the ice compartment door, etc etc., to my absolute amazement my 8551, on a very recent trip to high elevations, did, after a drive-up hiccup, perform like a normal fridge. Yes, on propane. It must have heard me thinking of junking the thing.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by MyronL

After years of aggravation over inconsistent performance, orifice cleaning, exotic flue additions, fans, removing the ice compartment door, etc etc., to my absolute amazement my 8551, on a very recent trip to high elevations, did, after a drive-up hiccup, perform like a normal fridge. Yes, on propane. It must have heard me thinking of junking the thing.

Hi: MyronL... There's that word again. Take it for a junket on an Oriental sailing vessel. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Kingfish]

Originally Posted by MyronL

After years of aggravation over inconsistent performance, orifice cleaning, exotic flue additions, fans, removing the ice compartment door, etc etc., to my absolute amazement my 8551, on a very recent trip to high elevations, did, after a drive-up hiccup, perform like a normal fridge. Yes, on propane. It must have heard me thinking of junking the thing.

Mine has always worked well on propane too.... in cooler, high altitude, and dryer air. Not so well in humid and hot climate.