My 6 cu ft Norcold absorbing has run continuous on 120v at home for ten years. Not counting trips with travel days on gas and 120v upon destination. Only problem is replacing two thermistors during that time. Cooling a little week in 100 degree plus weather. I have an inside and outside fan.
In our 17-year-old Jayco, in the last 7 years, our absorption fridge has been on more than off since we moved to Terlingua, where we use the trailer as a second living space. One thermistor was replaced during that time.
My Norcold is original in 1994 Winnebago 34' Vectra. I bought mtrhm used, about 15 yrs ago, so not sure of previous use. My use has been on both electric or gas as service available. I have it plugged in all summer at home to a 120v 30 amp home outlet. I have noticed, since a year ago vandals let the air out of the two duals on the street side - same side as fridge - it now takes a cold setting of about 5 or 6 when previously it was 2-3. I understand the damage from off-level use is cumulative - so just holding my breath on how long it might last. Tires were flat for about 36 hrs before noticed. Also, now concerned about overheating and possible fire! (It was not one of the recall units).
Our 3-year-old Dometic, a small model in a truck camper, first had its exterior cooling fan fail, then the cooling unit failed and had to be replaced. New rebuilt cooling unit has twice the warranty as a complete replacement fridge. The "Made in China" on the data label explained a lot.
I had an absorption fridge failure because I was new to RV’ing and did not perfectly level my rig and the fridge stopped working. I was unaware until it was too late and we lost all our food. Never made that mistake again!
I did experience a problem with my Furrion 16cuft DC fridge. The fan that blows the cold air from the freezer to the fridge went out. I believe this is because we overfilled the freezer and blocked the vents to the fridge. That caused the fan to freeze up and fail. I was able to get a replacement fan from Lippert and installed it myself. The cost of the repair was about $35. I will also say this all took place during a VERY cold spell while traveling from Indiana to Texas.
Bought a 2010 Mobile Suites fifth wheel in 2014. Fridge failed in 2017. Pretty sure it was because the cooling fans quit. I now make sure the fans are working and no more problems. I replaced the cooling unit with the Amish built unit.
My wife and I have been RVing for a little over thirty-one years. In that time we have had five towables and one motorhome. We had absorption refrigerators in four of the towables and the motorhome. Our fifth and current towable has a 110 volt residential refrigerator. The absorption refrigerator in one of our towables failed twice; both times were the cooling unit. The first time was shortly after the factory warranty expired. Dometic was willing to provide a new cooling unit at no cost, however we had to pay for labor. The replacement unit failed about five years after it was installed. By then we were not traveling with that RV and just decided to "abandon the fridge in place." It was still inoperative when we donated that RV to charity. The Dometic absorption refrigerator in another one of our towables failed (cooling unit again), however the RV sat on a lake lot, so replacing it with a travel ready one was not needed. We bought a small 110 volt dorm room fridge that fit in the space left after I removed the failed RV refrigerator and scrapped it. We still have the motorhome which has a Dometic absorption refrigerator. We will continue to use it as long as it functions properly. If we ever need to repalce it I will shop the new 12 volt compressor units.
I replaced 3 cooling units in a 1200 Norcold between 2005 and 2017. Plus a failed Safety Device. Thew away the Norcold for a residential Samsung 18' in 2017. One of the best RV moves I made.
I’ve had 3 Dometic absorption refrigerator failures in the 19 years that I’ve owned my current motorhome. In two of the cases my extended warranty covered a major portion of the cost but that’s not the case now. I’ve decided not to replace the current one because of the high cost and because, as an Escapees CARE resident, I get all my meals included and don’t really need the fridge anyway. I had the electric and propane connections removed from it and am using it for storage of non-food items. A friend gave me a 3.3 cubic foot refrigerator, which I use for drinks and some medicines. It doesn’t have a freezer, so I just get ice from the CARE dining room as needed. It sits on top of my stove perfectly. That’s not an inconvenience either because I’ve never used the stove. “Cooking” is defined as occasionally using the microwave oven, the toaster or a slow cooker. Life is tough at CARE. :>)
It just quit cooling. It worked one trip and then did not work when I fired it back up for the next trip. Had it converted to 12V compressor at JC in Shipshe. 0 issues after that.
Our absorption fridge would never get cold enough when traveling to warm places. We would have to use the freezer compartment to keep our items at fridge like temperatures. We converted it last fall with a 12v conversion kit from JC Refrigeration and are using it for the first time this week. Fridge is running great but trying to get my smart shunt configured correctly for my lead acid battery. The monitor shows the battery is in a negative charge. I have been working with Aaron from JC and he has been very helpful with the troubleshooting.
My 6 cu ft Norcold absorbing has run continuous on 120v at home for ten years. Not counting trips with travel days on gas and 120v upon destination. Only problem is replacing two thermistors during that time. Cooling a little week in 100 degree plus weather. I have an inside and outside fan.
In our 17-year-old Jayco, in the last 7 years, our absorption fridge has been on more than off since we moved to Terlingua, where we use the trailer as a second living space. One thermistor was replaced during that time.
My Norcold is original in 1994 Winnebago 34' Vectra. I bought mtrhm used, about 15 yrs ago, so not sure of previous use. My use has been on both electric or gas as service available. I have it plugged in all summer at home to a 120v 30 amp home outlet. I have noticed, since a year ago vandals let the air out of the two duals on the street side - same side as fridge - it now takes a cold setting of about 5 or 6 when previously it was 2-3. I understand the damage from off-level use is cumulative - so just holding my breath on how long it might last. Tires were flat for about 36 hrs before noticed. Also, now concerned about overheating and possible fire! (It was not one of the recall units).
Our 3-year-old Dometic, a small model in a truck camper, first had its exterior cooling fan fail, then the cooling unit failed and had to be replaced. New rebuilt cooling unit has twice the warranty as a complete replacement fridge. The "Made in China" on the data label explained a lot.
I've had to reset my absorption fridge a few times after a heavy rain.
I had an absorption fridge failure because I was new to RV’ing and did not perfectly level my rig and the fridge stopped working. I was unaware until it was too late and we lost all our food. Never made that mistake again!
I did experience a problem with my Furrion 16cuft DC fridge. The fan that blows the cold air from the freezer to the fridge went out. I believe this is because we overfilled the freezer and blocked the vents to the fridge. That caused the fan to freeze up and fail. I was able to get a replacement fan from Lippert and installed it myself. The cost of the repair was about $35. I will also say this all took place during a VERY cold spell while traveling from Indiana to Texas.
Bought a 2010 Mobile Suites fifth wheel in 2014. Fridge failed in 2017. Pretty sure it was because the cooling fans quit. I now make sure the fans are working and no more problems. I replaced the cooling unit with the Amish built unit.
Hi Mike,
My wife and I have been RVing for a little over thirty-one years. In that time we have had five towables and one motorhome. We had absorption refrigerators in four of the towables and the motorhome. Our fifth and current towable has a 110 volt residential refrigerator. The absorption refrigerator in one of our towables failed twice; both times were the cooling unit. The first time was shortly after the factory warranty expired. Dometic was willing to provide a new cooling unit at no cost, however we had to pay for labor. The replacement unit failed about five years after it was installed. By then we were not traveling with that RV and just decided to "abandon the fridge in place." It was still inoperative when we donated that RV to charity. The Dometic absorption refrigerator in another one of our towables failed (cooling unit again), however the RV sat on a lake lot, so replacing it with a travel ready one was not needed. We bought a small 110 volt dorm room fridge that fit in the space left after I removed the failed RV refrigerator and scrapped it. We still have the motorhome which has a Dometic absorption refrigerator. We will continue to use it as long as it functions properly. If we ever need to repalce it I will shop the new 12 volt compressor units.
Had Dometic Absorption lose all coolant after only 1 year
I replaced 3 cooling units in a 1200 Norcold between 2005 and 2017. Plus a failed Safety Device. Thew away the Norcold for a residential Samsung 18' in 2017. One of the best RV moves I made.
I’ve had 3 Dometic absorption refrigerator failures in the 19 years that I’ve owned my current motorhome. In two of the cases my extended warranty covered a major portion of the cost but that’s not the case now. I’ve decided not to replace the current one because of the high cost and because, as an Escapees CARE resident, I get all my meals included and don’t really need the fridge anyway. I had the electric and propane connections removed from it and am using it for storage of non-food items. A friend gave me a 3.3 cubic foot refrigerator, which I use for drinks and some medicines. It doesn’t have a freezer, so I just get ice from the CARE dining room as needed. It sits on top of my stove perfectly. That’s not an inconvenience either because I’ve never used the stove. “Cooking” is defined as occasionally using the microwave oven, the toaster or a slow cooker. Life is tough at CARE. :>)
20 year old Norcold, 10cf, door fell off, I repaired it, fell off again, had enough. Replaced with residential refer, no more problems.
Main circuit board needed replacement on absorption fridge.
It just quit cooling. It worked one trip and then did not work when I fired it back up for the next trip. Had it converted to 12V compressor at JC in Shipshe. 0 issues after that.
Had an ammonia leak shortly after the 3-year warranty ended.
Our absorption fridge would never get cold enough when traveling to warm places. We would have to use the freezer compartment to keep our items at fridge like temperatures. We converted it last fall with a 12v conversion kit from JC Refrigeration and are using it for the first time this week. Fridge is running great but trying to get my smart shunt configured correctly for my lead acid battery. The monitor shows the battery is in a negative charge. I have been working with Aaron from JC and he has been very helpful with the troubleshooting.