Dometic RM 760 Refrigerator

[bartz paul]

Fred:

Although I didn't personally do the wrenching, I did have to take our new
Norcold 3-way refrigerator in for warranty service. They had to replace the
"cold" unit, which I was able to observe. It was a straightforward R & R
operation (i. e. unbolt and reconnect) and took an hour or so to swap out.
Since the units are sealed, there is no charging operation involved.

I don't see why you couldn't handle it. It isn't rocket science "stuff".
All you need is a weak mind!

Paul Bartz

From: FBHUDSPETH [mailto:FBHUDSPETH]
Sent: Friday, January 15, 1999 12:30 AM
Subject: GMC: Dometic RM 760 Refrigerator

Has anyone replaced the sealed unit (ammonia-charged coil) on an obsolete
propane-fired/110V Dometic RM 760 refrigerator? If so, would you comment on
the degree of difficulty and procedure for removing the failed coil and
replacing it with a rebuilt or new one.

I have determined that new coils are still available and at a cost of about
half that of a new (and admittedly superior) refrigerator. The owner of the
coach with the failed refrigerator has maintained the refrigerator controls
in excellent working order. With a new cooling coil, the refrigerator would
perform as new. The savings for repair vs. junking/replacing with new
refrigerator would be about $700.

We are trying to define the "snakes" so we will know them when we see them
if we elect to repair rather than replace. We have not yet removed the
refrigerator from the coach. The Dometic RM 100, similar to the Dometic RM
760, was used in most Transmodes and thousands of SOB's. The application is
on a SOB, actually a 1981 Coachmen Leprechaun.

 

[darren paget]

Fred. The removal of the original coil is quite simple. If you look inside the
fridge you can see all the components that will be removed with the coil. There
are a couple of screws to remove on the inside. These screws are all visible and
all will come out easily. A couple of them are quite long so be patient. When
these have been taken out go to the rear of the fridge. There are some pieces of
the burner and assembly which should be removed from the coil assembly. If you
take a good look it is mostly self explanatory.
After all of these pieces are removed it is time to take out the coil. When
these coils are installed they are put in with a type of foam glue. I'm not sure
but I think that the coil is already in place when they do the insulation in the
fridge. It is going to be a real good pull or push or both to get the old coil
out. It will come out though. When the new one is to be put in there is a special
type of glue that is used. This glue will act as a thermal bridge, (it will allow
the coil to work through the glue) for the chemical reaction which is what makes
the fridge work. Your local RV dealer will have this. The glue must have a fairly
good size bead on most or all of the new coil where it will contact the inside of
the fridge. To place the new coil in the fridge, it basically goes in the same as
the old one came out. With a lot of pulling, pushing and hammering if necessary.
Use a block of wood for backing though if you must hammer. You may find that you
will have to trim some of the foam insulation to get the new coil to fit.
When all of this is done simply put all the other pieces back where you got
them from. A suggestion I might make.... Your local RV shop can do this for you
for about an hours worth of labor and the parts will still cost you the same. This
way if they break it they will replace it. If you break it........well?? I have
done a few of these. Some were easy and some were a real pain. Good luck and
let me know how you do. Darren

> Has anyone replaced the sealed unit (ammonia-charged coil) on an obsolete
> propane-fired/110V Dometic RM 760 refrigerator? If so, would you comment on
> the degree of difficulty and procedure for removing the failed coil and
> replacing it with a rebuilt or new one.
>
> I have determined that new coils are still available and at a cost of about
> half that of a new (and admittedly superior) refrigerator. The owner of the
> coach with the failed refrigerator has maintained the refrigerator controls in
> excellent working order. With a new cooling coil, the refrigerator would
> perform as new. The savings for repair vs. junking/replacing with new
> refrigerator would be about $700.
>
> We are trying to define the "snakes" so we will know them when we see them if
> we elect to repair rather than replace. We have not yet removed the
> refrigerator from the coach. The Dometic RM 100, similar to the Dometic RM
> 760, was used in most Transmodes and thousands of SOB's. The application is
> on a SOB, actually a 1981 Coachmen Leprechaun.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Fred Hudspeth
> '78 Royale