Greetings All:
A new refrigerator is installed. I found an Avanti FFBM920W at a local building supply for ~$300 (a Labor Day special.) This is a two door, bottom freezer 9.2 cu.ft. model. It is frost-free, drawing 130 watts at 110 VAC. (Also available in this area were the Whirlpool mentioned before, and a Magic Chef unit. The Whirlpool has exposed coils extending over the entire rear surface. The Magic Chef had universally bad reviews online. Both were also a bit more costly.)
Removal of the old Dometic from the cabinet was straight-forward. Getting it out of the coach through the door was not too bad, after taking out the step-well cover, the grab handles, and the co-pilot seat. The fridge doors were also removed. Three of us lifted the new unit into the coach without much trouble. Removal of the dinette seats would help eliminate tight spots, if they are the 38-inch-wide style.
The new unit was completely enclosed--no
place for vermin to roost, contrasted to the old one which was covered in mud-dauber (wasp) nests. The Avanti is the same depth and width, but about 4 inches taller than the 3801. The unit sits on a shelf over a drawer and chassis heater for the bathroom, so the upper compartment over the fridge was modified. The compartment floor was raised, and the doors shortened. (In my coach, the support shelf below the unit was water-damaged and delaminating. I replaced it as well.) The fridge fits tightly between the lower support and the compartment floor above, so that it cannot tilt. I am still finalizing the weather stripping and restraints.
The old Dometic was rated about 8 cu.ft. and the Avanti is 9.2. However, the new unit can accept gallon milk jugs, as well as a 24-pack of cokes on the top shelf. The freezer is much larger--full-size frozen pizzas will fit on the shelf. Don't have to cook them as soon as they get home from the grocery store! The
Avanti is also quiet in operation.
Don't know how durable the Avanti will be on the road, but r/r will be easier now the cabinet is enlarged for the newer-sized fridges.
--M.R.Kane
'87 PT40 "Sleipnir"
currently Iron River, MI
>
> Greetings All:
>
> The original Dometic RM3801 refrigerator in my coach is failing.
>
<snip>
> Thanks--
>
> M.R.Kane
> '87 PT40
> currently Iron River, MI
>
Member Funded
Link Directory
Wanderlodge Trader
Document Library
User Locations
Gallery
Calendar
/
Replacement fridge for '80s PT
![[+]](http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com/images/collapse_collapsed.gif)