Dometic, Norcold, or..?

[Ryan Wright]

Well, bummer on the fridge, but life happens. I never really liked
this old fridge, anyway. Huge thanks to everyone for your help with
this process.

Now, I need your advice on what to buy. I intend to buy a taller
fridge than the one I've got and remove one or both of the small
cabinets above and below my existing fridge. There's never enough
space in these little things, so bigger is better, yes? :-) I'm going
to stick with the ammonia type, as we love to boondock and going all
electric would require more batteries and better inverters than what
I've got, vastly increasing the scope of this project when all I
really want is cold food. :-) Since I do have LP gas on board, might
as well use it. Next coach, however, I want a full size house fridge
so one of you LXI owners better be prepared to sell in 5 - 10 years.
;-)

So, which brand is generally more reliable? Reading online forums they
all seem universally hated. ;-) Does anyone here really love their
fridge, and if so, what do you have?

The biggest gripe I have with these things is the lack of accurate
temperature control. As the temperature outside changes, so does the
temperature inside the fridge. When it's hot outside I have to turn
the fridge setting up, when it gets cold I have to turn it down. Does
anyone make a nice, modern version of these that can actually hold a
temperature like a "real" fridge? I just want to set the darn thing at
x degrees and have it stay there... Don't see why they can't add
temperature sensors and automatically adjust the amount of boiling in
the ammonia stack to roughly maintain a target temp. Seems like such a
basic thing to me.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

[Ralph L. Fullenwider]

Ryan:

From a tech standpoint, stay with the Dometic, there are just too many re
calls on the Norcold units. Just my .02 worth

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
Duncan, Oklahoma

At 12:27 PM 12/24/2008 -0800, you wrote:
>Well, bummer on the fridge, but life happens. I never really liked
>this old fridge, anyway. Huge thanks to everyone for your help with
>this process.
>
>Now, I need your advice on what to buy. I intend to buy a taller
>fridge than the one I've got and remove one or both of the small
>cabinets above and below my existing fridge. There's never enough
>space in these little things, so bigger is better, yes? :-) I'm going
>to stick with the ammonia type, as we love to boondock and going all
>electric would require more batteries and better inverters than what
>I've got, vastly increasing the scope of this project when all I
>really want is cold food. :-) Since I do have LP gas on board, might
>as well use it. Next coach, however, I want a full size house fridge
>so one of you LXI owners better be prepared to sell in 5 - 10 years.
>;-)
>
>So, which brand is generally more reliable? Reading online forums they
>all seem universally hated. ;-) Does anyone here really love their
>fridge, and if so, what do you have?
>
>The biggest gripe I have with these things is the lack of accurate
>temperature control. As the temperature outside changes, so does the
>temperature inside the fridge. When it's hot outside I have to turn
>the fridge setting up, when it gets cold I have to turn it down. Does
>anyone make a nice, modern version of these that can actually hold a
>temperature like a "real" fridge? I just want to set the darn thing at
>x degrees and have it stay there... Don't see why they can't add
>temperature sensors and automatically adjust the amount of boiling in
>the ammonia stack to roughly maintain a target temp. Seems like such a
>basic thing to me.
>
>-Ryan
>'86 PT-40 8V92
>
>

[dale cooper]

I am thinking that Dometic is the brand with the most recalls.

Dale Cooper
Painesville, Oh. 44077
84FC35 SB
In God We Trust.

----- Original Message -----

From: "rlf47@swbell.net"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 3:42 PM

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Dometic, Norcold, or..?

Ryan:

From a tech standpoint, stay with the Dometic, there are just too many re
calls on the Norcold units. Just my .02 worth

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
Duncan, Oklahoma

At 12:27 PM 12/24/2008 -0800, you wrote:
>Well, bummer on the fridge, but life happens. I never really liked
>this old fridge, anyway. Huge thanks to everyone for your help with
>this process.
>
>Now, I need your advice on what to buy. I intend to buy a taller
>fridge than the one I've got and remove one or both of the small
>cabinets above and below my existing fridge. There's never enough
>space in these little things, so bigger is better, yes? :-) I'm going
>to stick with the ammonia type, as we love to boondock and going all
>electric would require more batteries and better inverters than what
>I've got, vastly increasing the scope of this project when all I
>really want is cold food. :-) Since I do have LP gas on board, might
>as well use it. Next coach, however, I want a full size house fridge
>so one of you LXI owners better be prepared to sell in 5 - 10 years.
>;-)
>
>So, which brand is generally more reliable? Reading online forums they
>all seem universally hated. ;-) Does anyone here really love their
>fridge, and if so, what do you have?
>
>The biggest gripe I have with these things is the lack of accurate
>temperature control. As the temperature outside changes, so does the
>temperature inside the fridge. When it's hot outside I have to turn
>the fridge setting up, when it gets cold I have to turn it down. Does
>anyone make a nice, modern version of these that can actually hold a
>temperature like a "real" fridge? I just want to set the darn thing at
>x degrees and have it stay there... Don't see why they can't add
>temperature sensors and automatically adjust the amount of boiling in
>the ammonia stack to roughly maintain a target temp. Seems like such a
>basic thing to me.
>
>-Ryan
>'86 PT-40 8V92
>
>

[Pete Masterson]

As you've noted, all the ammonia-type refrigerators are universally disliked. Some of the temperature control problems are inherent in the physics of the ammonia-cycle -- but temperature control is also a problem (but not as much) with a regular refrigerator. I keep a thermometer (made for refrigerators) in my home-style refrigerator because as we move from one location to another, the changes in external temperatures can cause the internal temperature to run too warm or too cold (too cold freezes the lettuce and vegetables causing considerable annoyance to my spouse). While changes to the weather can affect a refrigerator in a home, the RV has a much wider variation from day to day and location to location since the coach is not as insulated as a home -- and there's no attic to help stabilize internal temperatures.

Indeed, no refrigerator has a true _temperature_ based thermostat. All of them use a "choose a number" system that doesn't relate to any particular internal temperature with any consistency. I assume that using a furnace/AC type thermostat (that measures actual temperature) is not practical for these devices at the price point they're offered at.

In the models designed for RV use, the addition of external temperature sensors and some automatic controls would be a nice addition -- but at what cost? Would you be wiling to pay $50 more? How about $100 -- or $500? As with most appliances, we often look for the cheapest solution (once basic needs are met) and the majority of RVers tend to use their vehicles infrequently and/or during only one part of the year. Folks are usually more willing to pay for (say) and ice maker or other convenience option before they might be willing to pay for an operational convenience -- that might not apply to the typical user.

Keep us posted on what you get, how the installation goes, and your level of satisfaction ...

Good luck.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale)

<http://www.aeonix.biz/BBforsale.html>

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Dec 24, 2008, at 12:27 PM, Ryan Wright wrote:

Well, bummer on the fridge, but life happens. I never really liked

this old fridge, anyway. Huge thanks to everyone for your help with

this process.

Now, I need your advice on what to buy. I intend to buy a taller

fridge than the one I've got and remove one or both of the small

cabinets above and below my existing fridge. There's never enough

space in these little things, so bigger is better, yes? :-) I'm going

to stick with the ammonia type, as we love to boondock and going all

electric would require more batteries and better inverters than what

I've got, vastly increasing the scope of this project when all I

really want is cold food. :-) Since I do have LP gas on board, might

as well use it. Next coach, however, I want a full size house fridge

so one of you LXI owners better be prepared to sell in 5 - 10 years.

;-)

So, which brand is generally more reliable? Reading online forums they

all seem universally hated. ;-) Does anyone here really love their

fridge, and if so, what do you have?

The biggest gripe I have with these things is the lack of accurate

temperature control. As the temperature outside changes, so does the

temperature inside the fridge. When it's hot outside I have to turn

the fridge setting up, when it gets cold I have to turn it down. Does

anyone make a nice, modern version of these that can actually hold a

temperature like a "real" fridge? I just want to set the darn thing at

x degrees and have it stay there... Don't see why they can't add

temperature sensors and automatically adjust the amount of boiling in

the ammonia stack to roughly maintain a target temp. Seems like such a

basic thing to me.

-Ryan

'86 PT-40 8V92

[Don Bradner]

It appears that each has about 1 million units under recall. I don't know what
their productions are, so can't say which is a higher percentage. Norcold
recalls tend to be older - 1987-2001, while Dometic is 1997-2006.

On 12/24/2008 at 4:28 PM dale cooper wrote:

>I am thinking that Dometic is the brand with the most recalls.
>
>Dale Cooper
>Painesville, Oh. 44077
>84FC35 SB
>In God We Trust.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ralph L. Fullenwider
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 3:42 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Dometic, Norcold, or..?
>
>
> Ryan:
>
> From a tech standpoint, stay with the Dometic, there are just too many
>re
> calls on the Norcold units. Just my .02 worth
>
> Safe travels,
>
> Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> 84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
> Duncan, Oklahoma

[Ryan Wright]

Heh - Sounds like it's a toss up either way. Keep the opinions coming
in, though! I still want to narrow it down one way or another.

Pete:

> Indeed, no refrigerator has a true _temperature_ based thermostat.

That's too bad. Maybe I should go into the refrigerator business. I
can't be the only person who would like to set temperature by degrees
and have the darn thing keep it there. Not to mention, an alarm if the
device is unable to maintain temperature. I've lost several hundred
dollars worth of food on multiple occasions over my years. I'd gladly
pay an extra couple hundred bucks for a fridge that monitored &
maintained it's internal temperature, and sounded an alarm when it
couldn't.

I must be unique in that I buy top dollar appliances. I happily spent
$2500 on a Whirlpool Duet washer/dryer set many years back when they
were first introduced. Other than a failure that was fixed under
warranty (and I suspect caused in part by us overloading the washer
one too many times), I'm very happy with them and would do it again. I
intend to purchase the nicest RV fridge money can buy with hopes it
will last me 10+ years.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

[Gary Smith]

Ryan,
A couple years ago my Dometic failed for the very reason they issued the
recall, but before the recall, and I had no choice but to put a new one in.
I contacted Dometic with the model number and they said that was replaced by
a different number. Guess what? While the interior capacity was the same,
the outside dimensions weren't. So I asked what Dometic had in my original
dimensions - nothing. My RV repair guy had an exact size replacement in
Norcold. It's been working like a champ. I don't know that there is much
difference between the two companies. Both have had significant recalls
over the years Both have happy customers that have never had a problem. It
may come down to what will fit your space, moreso than which brand to use.
Gary
SOB.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ryan Wright
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 4:34 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Dometic, Norcold, or..?

Heh - Sounds like it's a toss up either way. Keep the opinions coming
in, though! I still want to narrow it down one way or another.

[Chuck Wheeler]

We have a Dometic, the simple on with just sensor on the cooling coils for temperature control, and it has the best temperature control and any refrigerator I have. Below about 15 degrees I have to run it on gas to maintain temperature, but once I got it adjusted it is usually within 1 degree of where I set it. (37 in the refrigerator, 0 in the freezer). We dry camp a lot and this unit works very well for us. I run it on gas most of the time. I always use gas for the initial cool down because it gets to temperature faster, and it is a good check that gas operation is working before we head out. It was subject to the recall.

- Chuck Wheeler-

1982 FC 31SB Fort Worth TX

---

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gary Smith
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 5:31 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Dometic, Norcold, or..?

Ryan,
A couple years ago my Dometic failed for the very reason they issued the
recall, but before the recall, and I had no choice but to put a new one in.
I contacted Dometic with the model number and they said that was replaced by
a different number. Guess what? While the interior capacity was the same,
the outside dimensions weren't. So I asked what Dometic had in my original
dimensions - nothing. My RV repair guy had an exact size replacement in
Norcold. It's been working like a champ. I don't know that there is much
difference between the two companies. Both have had significant recalls
over the years Both have happy customers that have never had a problem. It
may come down to what will fit your space, moreso than which brand to use.
Gary
SOB.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ryan Wright
To: "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 4:34 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Dometic, Norcold, or..?

Heh - Sounds like it's a toss up either way. Keep the opinions coming
in, though! I still want to narrow it down one way or another.

[brad barton]

Ryan,

You sound like me with my '86 Newell. I just couldn't spend enough money on it to make it like a brand new coach. I'm not criticizing, just remember my drive and enthusiasm to make it as trouble-free and foolproof as possible (I eventually got over it). We chose to replace ourbasic 2-door Dometic completely under a service policy. It cost us $300 more to replace the whole the refrigerator than to replace the "guts" andkeep the same box. And usually, if the refrigerator has been in the process of going out, the box and door gaskets will have developed moisture and mildew stains. But if your box is good and the shelves are not rusty, you can replace just the ammonia system in the back with a re-build (Ryan at Mr. O's orders them all the time) and get one of those RV chest freezer/refrigerators that goes in the basement. We still keep a chest with icein the basement. You'd be surprised how much ice you can buy for $1,000 as asupplemental cooler. Best of the Holidays to you.

Brad Barton 00LXiDFW bbartonwx@...

---

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
From: ryanpwright@...
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:27:29 -0800
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Dometic, Norcold, or..?

Well, bummer on the fridge, but life happens. I never really liked
this old fridge, anyway. Huge thanks to everyone for your help with
this process.

Now, I need your advice on what to buy. I intend to buy a taller
fridge than the one I've got and remove one or both of the small
cabinets above and below my existing fridge. There's never enough
space in these little things, so bigger is better, yes? :-) I'm going
to stick with the ammonia type, as we love to boondock and going all
electric would require more batteries and better inverters than what
I've got, vastly increasing the scope of this project when all I
really want is cold food. :-) Since I do have LP gas on board, might
as well use it. Next coach, however, I want a full size house fridge
so one of you LXI owners better be prepared to sell in 5 - 10 years.
;-)

So, which brand is generally more reliable? Reading online forums they
all seem universally hated. ;-) Does anyone here really love their
fridge, and if so, what do you have?

The biggest gripe I have with these things is the lack of accurate
temperature control. As the temperature outside changes, so does the
temperature inside the fridge. When it's hot outside I have to turn
the fridge setting up, when it gets cold I have to turn it down. Does
anyone make a nice, modern version of these that can actually hold a
temperature like a "real" fridge? I just want to set the darn thing at
x degrees and have it stay there... Don't see why they can't add
temperature sensors and automatically adjust the amount of boiling in
the ammonia stack to roughly maintain a target temp. Seems like such a
basic thing to me.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

---

Life on your PC is safer, easier, and more enjoyable with Windows Vista®. See how

[Ryan Wright]

Brad,

Yup! You really did nail my personality dead center and I take no
offense. My old Travco pushed me right into a Wanderlodge for the same
reason, trying to make it something it wasn't. Here I had this '66
Dodge that I absolutely loved, rebuilt engine, beautiful interior, all
done by my grandfather and everything great "but" it sat for a decade
after he died and a few of Grandma's "friends" borrowed it once or
twice and lost/damaged things. By the time Grandma was emotionally
able to part with it and I bought it from her, the generator was shot,
it was in desperate need of paint and had a "soft spot" in the floor
that Grandpa "fixed" 15+ years earlier by sliding a piece of 1/8"
steel under the carpet. We enjoyed it as-is for awhile but I longed
for more, so one day I began tearing the floor apart to fix that
"little" soft spot and found the entire floor rotted, all window seals
shot and had been slowly leaking into the walls for decades and a
family of squirrels had been living under the bathroom.

I gutted the bus, put in a new floor, then started scheming. I mean,
while it was all torn apart, why not make it like a "real" coach? I
talked to fabricators about custom water tanks, bigger fuel tanks,
looked at sunroofs, new genset... By the time I added it up I was
going to be into it for thirty grand & a years' worth of hard labor
and still not have what I "really" wanted. So I gave it to a friend
and bought my Wanderlodge.

I'm very, very happy with my coach. I also watch eBay auctions and
have fallen in love with the LXIs, and that causes me grief ;-). When
I first read of the all electric coaches here, I thought they were
silly. Propane is great, why wouldn't you want it on board? But now I
long for a full size fridge with ice & water in the door, a diesel
fired burner for heat & hot water and a bigger shower, and I remember
that I don't need the complications of propane with a solid bank of
batteries and a powerful genset. Then I think about the extra 3 feet
on a 43' model along with a potential side or two and ideas for
cutting expenses and scraping together the extra dough begin to fill
my head....

Such is life. In the meantime I'll keep sprucing up and loving what
I've got and one of these days, when I can no longer resist the
upgrade bug, somebody is going to get a heck of a nice coach off me.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92


On Thu, Dec 25, 2008 at 6:31 AM, brad barton <bbartonwx@...> wrote:
> Ryan,
> You sound like me with my '86 Newell. I just couldn't spend enough money on
> it to make it like a brand new coach. I'm not criticizing, just remember my
> drive and enthusiasm to make it as trouble-free and foolproof as possible (I
> eventually got over it).