Dometic Frig Quit

[mbulriss]

The RM2820 model Jay Darst referred to is *not* on the "voluntary
recall" list for Doemetic. But it sure should be. I lost mine on the
night of July 5 of this year the same way as Jay lost his. All the
ammonia landed in the burner tray, just as described in the fire
hazard recall for the "affected models". Luckily, I was on electric
power when it happened! It was approximately 3.75 years old. My
Dometic in my 83 was over 10 years old and still going strong when I
sold it.

If anyone else has had an RM2820 go bad recently for the same reasons,
please get the information to Jay Darst in hopes of helping us all.

Just FYI, I got my replacement from PPL Motorhomes for $999 (plus
shipping of $80 - and sales tax because I am in Texas where they are
located). PPL said they are "selling hundreds of them"! Gee, I
wonder why?

Wasn't a terrible job to replace, but should not have been necessary
for a less than 4 year old unit with the same defect as on the
"recall" models. Like Jay, I really did not want to replace it with
Dometic, but also did not want to trim cabinets or spend hours
researching other models for correct sizes. So I held my nose and
opted for the new 2820 replacement with the revised heater (actually,
as I understand it, they basically just reverted to an older
model/size heater that had been in use for years prior to the recall
models).

Contact Jay if you are affected also.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "crissrace"
wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jay Darst"
> wrote:
> >
> > My Dometic frig crapped out this weekend. The boiler tube
> > cracked and the yellow stuff(refrigerant, in this case ammonia)
> came
> > out.
> >
> > The yellow stuff was at the base of the chimney. Called Dometic,
> > their electronic answerer asked for the model and serial number from
> > my unit. I input the data requested, the electronic advisor said
> that
> > my Frig was part of a national recall. It then transferred me to a
> > human who asked again for my Model number and then Serial number.
> > That person indicated that model number was part of the recall, but
> > not my serial number.
> >
> > Since my frig was manufactured during the dates subject to the
> > recall, I decided to call Dometic back and try it again. This time,
> > the human said my model number AND serial number were not part of
> the
> > recall. Still not the answer I was looking for.
> >
> > Called a third time. the electronic advisor again, indicated that my
> > model and serial numbers were part of the recall, the human that I
> > was transferred to confirmed that my unit was part of the recall.
> Now
> > I got the answer I was looking for!
> >
> > So took the Bird to my local RV dealer to have the cooling unit
> > replaced under the recall.
> >
> > Welp.... They called and talked to tech assistance and customer
> > service. Neither would approve the replacement under the recall. The
> > repair is about $700.
> >
> > Camping World installed this brand new Frig on August 01, 2003 at a
> > cost of about $1,300. So, original purchase price of $1,300 plus the
> > repair of $750, I am in this DOMETIC frig for about $500 a year.
> >
> > This is definitely my last Dometic product.
> >
> > If there is anyone else that has a Dometic Classic RM-2820 that was
> > manufactured between and including 1998 and 2003, and the boiler
> tube
> > cracked allowing the release of the refrigerant(Ammonia in this
> case,
> > which shows up as a yellow substance)please contact me off forum at
> > jdarst at HPRCars dot com.
> >
> > The recall is not encompassing the problem coolers completely. My
> > frig has the EXAT same problem as those involved in the recall, yet
> > Dometic is indictaing that it is not part of the recall and
> therefore
> > not taking care of it. I am not recognized as being a tight-wad, so
> > if I were remotely responsible for this repair, I wouldn't be a
> > complaining here.
> >
> > It takes only 10 Complainants to form a class action.
> >
> > It is my intend to get them to repair or replace the shoddy unsafe
> > crap they were sending out.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Jay Darst
> > 85PT40
> > 1996 Prevost Country Coach 45XL FOR SALE
> > Springfield/Sullivan, IL
> >
>
> I have the same model number Dometic so I went through the phone
> thing with them. Automated voice said I was involved--real person
> assured me that I was not. I have had no trouble with the unit--yet--
> other than I had to install a small DC powered fan to get it to cool
> better in hot weather.
> Where to go from here is the question. Now I have doubts about the
> safety of the unit.
> Model # RM 2820 SN 310 06144
>
> Thanks
> Bob Criss
> 1990 SP36
> Bethel Park, PA.
>