Much has been previously discussed about the safety issues with gas absorption (especially Dometic reefers). I'm in the process of replacing my Dometic LRIM1200 gas absorption unit with an 18cu ft Samsung French door reefer. My suggestion, get rid of the gas absorption fridge as soon as it shows signs of trouble. My reason, after groping with replacing the cooling unit, follows:

*The Dometic reefers are known fire hazards due to the propensity of overheating the cooling unit and/or leaking ammonia causing a hydrogen fueled fire
*When I removed my Dometic the box had what appeared to be charring on the side by the exhaust and the ceiling of the sealed reefer box (I think BlueBird did a decent job on the box of the LXi)
*Although some owners seem happy, most that have owned the Dometic find the warmer it gets, the less they cool! Not a good thing for a fridge!
*The new Samsung (which fits in the same space), is 18 cu ft, the Dometic was 11.6
*The Samsung uses the same power as a 90Watt light bulb!!!
*The Samsung cost only a few hundred more that the replacement cooling unit in the Dometic
*The Samsung weighs the same as the Dometic
*The Samsung will fit through the door of my LXi
*The Samsung uses twin cooling so the fridge and freezer have separate, more efficient, compressors
*The Samsung gets much colder in all conditions
*The Samsung has LED lighting and a much more modern look

Draw backs:

*Must figure out how to secure properly.


This turned out to be a no brainer: safer - bigger - more efficient - same price as repairing old tech fridge!

Moonbeam, good choice on the reefer and nice to hear from you.

quote:

Laurel Park, NC

good thinking. I should look into how efficient a modern dorm-size 110V frig is. The gas/electric box in my B van is tired.
hope single life is going well for you. Twice a year, I am also going to NC. You found a nice part of the country to put down stakes. infer that ex got the FL house. glad she didn't get the motorcoach.

Moonbeam, on the boat I used the same 1/4X20 or so threads for the levelers as a through bolt in the floorboards.
MD, I went with an undercounter model because it is in an enclosed space so the coils would not have any convection. If you are looking at a replacement in a closed space the undercounter gives a fan blowing over the coils mounted on the base of the fridge.

Corey, Glad to here from you again. I replaced our 3 way with a 120v home unit. Works so much better. Run it off gen or inverter down the road. Can get a few days on batteries. Have turned it into an Ice box a few time. 2 gallon jugs of water frozen last a few days if everything in fridge is already down to temp.It is rare not to have 120v to connect to.

Looks like I'm late to the party with this upgrade, but in good company.

We have a 25 cu' Samsung in our home. A great if not the best refrig on the market. Now for a big however! At least on ours there are no visable condenser fins as they are attached to the inside of cabinet (like a chest type freezer) so mounting and then sealing will get very tricky.

If using a household refrigerator you need the condeser coils on either the back or bottom. This way you can seal the unit. Or seal the box before installing a Samsung so the sides can breath.

Whoa! Moonbeam-Express?

Welcome back on the site Corey. Hope all is well.


No tech advice .......just saying Hi.


Jim & Barb

Hey Jim and Barb, sorry I missed out on last winter's Fla gathering, always loved that. Maybe next year.

All is well in Coreyville

Hi Cory, good to see you back on line. Hope all is well.

Cheers,

Mike

Hey Mike, life is goooood!

Really enjoying western NC. Lots of biking both road, mountain and motorized. Hiking and skiing too. Sometimes I even have a little time left over for work.

Hey Corey, glad you're back. You doing Hillsboro this Dec? We're already signed up! Hope to see you again soon.

quote:

Originally posted by ccctimtation:

MD, I went with an undercounter model because it is in an enclosed space so the coils would not have any convection. If you are looking at a replacement in a closed space the undercounter gives a fan blowing over the coils mounted on the base of the fridge.

Tim, I am finding that most of the 3-4 cubic foot frig's are strictly for free-standing use. Lowes has a nice Frigidaire on sale for only $129, but free standing. I like the $399 Figidaire 4.6 cu. ft. Beverage Center. It has lockable, stainless steel framed thermopane glass door.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_326324...&state=R#reviews_tab
But it is not intended for undercounter use. I think some reviews saying it does not cool well are from people who put it under counter.
Generally, small frig's made for undercounter are like a thousand dollars +. One exception is SUMMIT for under $500. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sum...2694628#.UeVW8OC3Bbw
seems to me an RV that had an LP frig might have enough ventilation, through the wall, that a compact compressor-based frig ought to get enough air flow to work.

quote:

Originally posted by Mogan David:


Tim, I am finding that most of the 3-4 cubic foot frig's are strictly for free-standing use.
Generally, small frig's made for undercounter are like a thousand dollars +. One exception is SUMMIT for under $500. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sum...2694628#.UeVW8OC3Bbw
seems to me an RV that had an LP frig might have enough ventilation, through the wall, that a compact compressor-based frig ought to get enough air flow to work.

MD, I flinched when I bought mine around 1995. I think the best deal I got was about $550. Yes I think that with an RV replacement there should be plenty of ventilation possibilities. Worst case add a computer fan to ventilate the compartment, not many cfms are needed.

Do any of you who use inverters to power 120V fridges have any comments on MSW vs PSW?