Dometic frig find!!

[She]

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this on craigslist. A little beauty she is. Does anyone know if this an older model? Its a 3 way 1.7 cubic. Small but I wanted small. Looks clean. Inside too. But guess what they are asking for it.....50 bucks!!! TEE HEE!!!!<br />Did I get lucky? Or does it sound to good to be true? I'll let you know when I check it out and hopefully bring it home. BTW did Dometic go out of business?<br /><br /><img src="http://images.craigslist.org/5E35K65Fd3Ec3I33Hbc9f1119381cbea81d34.jpg" alt="" />

 

[angeli]

If this fridge is working properly, this could be a good deal.&nbsp; The closest model I could find that is like yours but currently in production is about $400 new.&nbsp; In my opinion, Dometic is a well made, but expensive brand.&nbsp; Dometic is not supposed to make any noise when they are operating.&nbsp; You'll only know if they are working right when they get cold. <br /><br />The problem is that often the RV fridges will loose the capacity for one of their power sources, usually gas when the lines get crimped when they are removed from their installation.<br /><br />For what it's worth, when I drove the big truck, I used a compact like the one in the pic, that could lie down or stand up and plugged into 12 volt.&nbsp; It cost me about $45 new from Walmart, and actually worked really well.&nbsp; It was the only thing I really needed.&nbsp; But if you want the capacity for gas and for shore power, and the gas lines are not crimped and will still power the fridge, then it's not a bad deal.&nbsp; Good luck!&nbsp; <br /><br /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[She]

Thanks Angeli. When you say gas do you mean propane? I wonder why it loses one of their ways to power?&nbsp;

 

[Les H]

Hi She,that appears newer than mine, which is late 70's/early 80's. Power sources die out if propane lines are clogged or crimped,and electriccircuit boards and heating elements can go bad. There is a place called dinosaur electronics that hasa website for out of date or out of stock replacement electrical parts. Propane parts and lines have changed little in60 years. If it works good, $50 is a great deal, I just saw one onCLthe other day for $125 with problems,and another for $175.
Dometic is still in business, still putting fridges in brand new campers.

 

[She]

Thanks Les I am checking it out tomorrow. What should I be checking for? Besides seeing if it works ,cracked tubes....etc BTW Do you know how many amps it uses a day?

 

[Simran]

If it works on anything it is a steal. I bought a Norcold awhile back for $50. It was 110V/propane; the propane didn't work. I fixed the propane part and sold it for $225. It didn't fit well in my van; to big. I went to a Norcold made for Volvo Semi tractors. Strictly 12V with a freezer compartment; which I desperately wanted. It is taller and narrower so doesn't take up as much floor space. You have to have a large battery bank and a way to charge batteries to run one of these fridges though.

Gus

 

[Les H]

She, my fridge draws 95 watts fir the electric elenent. So 95 watts divided by 12v equals abiut 8 amps an hour. As Simran said, nit bad while you are driving, but when parked, would drain a single battery ( without a recharging source) in about 6-7 hours. I have a small solar setup that would strech it out to about 12 hours, but thats still not very long. Best to park, let the amonia settle for about an hour, and light the propane. If ALL you run on the propane is the fridge, you can expect about 6 weeks from a 20# tank.

 

[Ballenxj]

I'd buy it for fifty bucks. Can't go too far wrong. <br />Dometic is a pretty good fridge. Just sniff around it. If it has an ammonia smell it will have a leak. <br />There are no moving parts on these, so as said above, you won't hear it running. All it requires to run is that the pilot light works, which in turn heats the ammonia and expands to force the gas movement. They hardly ever break down, with the exception of a leak. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />-Bruce

 

[She]

Thanks Ballenxj will bring my sniffing thing LOL Going to check it out this morning about 9.

 

[She]

<div>I got it. It works well. No smell at all. VERY quiet. We plugged it in and he told me they stopped camping a year ago and it was just sitting around. Very clean inside and out. I looked in the back where the tube and wires run. &nbsp;Nothing looks cracked or other wise. Very happy I got it cause it gives me more options to what to do.</div><div>It says it a RC 160 i don't see anything about that on the web but do see 1600. I wonder if thats what it means.<br />Thanks for your help! I wouldn't have know what to look for.</div>

 

[Ballenxj]

She, I'm very happy for you that it worked out. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />They will last almost forever as long as you're care around the ammonia grid in the back. <br />-Bruce

 

[wrcsixeight]

The Pre 90's absorption fridges are a real find. &nbsp;Later models were said to use shoddier components.<br /><br />Current absorption fridges have 12v circuit boards which can consume a good deal of battery power, but the older ones like that are less greedy.<br /><br />The 12 volt option on all absorption fridges to cool the fridge was only intended to be used while the vehicle is in motion and the alternator supplying the juice. &nbsp;In many states it is technically illegal to have the fridge powereed by propane underway/ through tunnels, or refilling at gas stations.<br /><br />Most ignore this, and the pilot light gets blown out anyway.<br /><br />Absorption fridges must be vented to the exterior when operated on propane. &nbsp;Carbon monoxide and Dioxide are health threats in an enclosed space.<br /><br />Also these fridges pretty much must be kept within 3 degrees of perfectly level for best operation. &nbsp;They can be damaged if run out of level for too long.&nbsp;

 

[She]

Thanks for the information Eight. Lucky for me I only plan on using propane in an emergency. Like buying 100 dollars worth of meat and the battery juice runs out. I happen to hate propane and will be venting outside. And no propane going through tunnels!!! Interesting about the leveling though. Is that also when on electric?<br /><br />Thanks Bruce!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[wrcsixeight]

The heating source( 12v/120v/propane) on Absorption fridges does not affect the need for them being level. &nbsp;More modern absorption fridges are not as&nbsp;<em style="font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">susceptible</em>&nbsp;to off level operation, but the old ones are very finicky.<br /><br />12 volt heating elements are very power hungry. &nbsp;They will kill your battery in just a few hours. &nbsp;If you have grid power, and this fridge can be plugged into it, then you are golden, but do not plan on powering this thing by battery only.<br /><br />If you want a battery powered fridge, then a DC powered compressor fridge will only take about 24 amp hours per 24 hours.<br /><br /> Your Dometic will draw that much juice from the battery &nbsp;in~ 3 hours. &nbsp;It is really designed to be run on propane. &nbsp;110Vac and 12vdc are more for convenience.<br /><br /> Google tf-49

 

[Ballenxj]

wrsixeight is giving you the straight up info. RVers are all advised to turn the propane off at the bottle when traveling. Most RV fires originate with carelessness with propane. <br />You are OK to run it on 12v when traveling though, including through tunnels. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />-Bruce

 

[She]

Can I use some sort of timer on this? So it doesn't use that much juice? I was only&nbsp;planning&nbsp;on using it for my days off from work.

 

[Ballenxj]

Sure, you could put some sort of timer inline with the power cord.&nbsp; Be careful though. I personally don't trust timers. It could malfundtion and leave you with a dead battery. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /> <br />-Bruce

 

[wrcsixeight]

Absorption fridges are notorious for taking a long time to cool down to temp.<br /><br />Most people with them turn them on a day before needing them, and then load them with all ready cold foodstuffs. &nbsp;Many have to add cooling fans to get the box temps below 40f in 85+F ambients.<br /><br />They are not good at just turning on every few days. &nbsp;It takes them a while to 'build up momentum', so to speak.<br /><br />A compressor fridge usually reaches temp in under an hour.<br /><br />The timer idea will be effective in reducing battery draw. &nbsp;It will greatly reduce the effectiveness at keeping food at sub 40F, which is the threshold for preserving food.<br /><br />Your best bet with this fridge is to run it on propane, or sell it, because it is worth more than 50$ to the right person.<br /><br />All Vanagon westfalias that came with fridges, came with Dometic &nbsp;absorption fridges. &nbsp;One of the biggest interior upgrades by enthusiasts who actually use the fridge, is removing this fridge, and replacing it with a compressor fridge.<br /><br />My &nbsp;Norcold compressor fridge with a sawafuji 'swing' compressor just quit after 5 years of 24/7/365, and I am about to order a new Fridge. &nbsp;The Danfoss bd 35 compressor is highly respected, and quiet.

 

[Simran]

The heating source( 12v/120v/propane) on Absorption fridges does not affect the need for them being level. &nbsp;More modern absorption fridges are not as&nbsp;<em style="font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">susceptible</em>&nbsp;to off level operation, but the old ones are very finicky.

<br /><br />This is one of the main reasons I got rid of the old Norcold I had and went with the 12V Norcold/Volvo I've got now. It is supposed to work 30 degree's off level; I believe it does too.<br />That said this would not work for everyone. These straight 12V fridges/freezer take a lot of juice. However, the way I use my van it works well. I run my van nearly every day. The off chance I do not; I use the generator to recharge. Solar coming soon.<br /><br />gus