Dometic RV Refrigerator Cooling Unit Replacement 

James you have more talent in your one hand than I have in both of mine and a friend helping me. The things you can do while filming blows my mind. Also, THANK YOU for showing us what/how a great Tech does things....!!!

Thank you for the help! Great video man.

Looks Like that customer is a bit of a pack rat. Funny how a customer will spend over $1000 for a replacement cooling unit but won’t spring another $50 to replace the rotted plywood the fridge sits on.

I love the outtakes! They always make me laugh; especially when you get a little frustrated. Totally laughing with you. 😆

Another great job and video. I can't imagine that they saved much by replacing the cooling unit over buying a new frig. Is it difficult to find an absorption frig now? I prefer 12V frig now but you do need enough battery to take you between charges. Still a good video to see how its done.

My '92 winnebago warrior 25' class a, they had to take the fridge out the dinette window when I had it replaced in 2012...fridge was $1,100...removal and install just $100...rv doors are no longer made wide enuf to get a fridge out of...my previous rv, a '77 winnebago chieftain 25' class a on the other hand, fridge came right out the door as it was wide enuf n I replaced that one myself. Great tutorial Sir, another great video!

Cool install... Glad to see you always do a leak test. Stay safe and healthy.

Very professional, I am not worried about changing my unit out next week. Great job I will watch this a few more times before then. Thank you 🙏

Wonder if people really know just how dangerous anhydrous ammonia really is ? From what a fireman told me you can only be exposed to to about 35 parts per million, I'm sure this is not a common problem but a few years back I was exposed to to 35000 parts per million and yes I will say that that much is just about as close to death as you want to get. Good job and be safe out there Bud 👍

Excellent tear down video. I loved the seeing the safety check for propane leaks and the little notes along the way for making it easier to replace such as taking out screws before removing the unit from the shelf. All those little things def add up. Thank you for sharing this!

I'm going in to take advanced classes to become a certified Tech starting 8/8. I'm looking forward to having the talent and confidence to do this. You are incredibly skillful and I enjoy watching your videos. I learn a lot from you

James... would it be in your best interest to test the pressure of the propane system BEFORE you start on the refer? I'm thinking, what if you did find a leak that was already a problem that you were not made aware of.... it might save you the hassle of that existing problem becoming yours because you did the refer.

1st!! What did I win?

James. I was actually thinking about going to JC refrigeration in Indiana to have my rv refrigerator converted to their Dutch Air 12 volt compressor system. Do you have any thoughts in that regard? Would you be interested in doing the conversion? It would definitely save me a trip to Indiana.

Our neighbors have a 1980 Motorhome and the fridge gave up the ghost. They are buying a new rv

James, thank you for the very detailed step by step installation of a new Dometic RM2652 cooling unit. You are a talented pro. First time doing this and after watch the video a few times and writing the steps down, I am ready to install my new unit that just arrived yesterday. My unit is also an Dometic RM2652 that lasted 21 years before it failed. Again, many thanks for your great video!!!!

Wow, big job , well explained, well executed!!! Thanks, I'm learning. Thanks for posting.

I hope my Norcold 1210 does not go up in flames.. The interior wall opposite of the fridge heating tube does feel warm .

If every tech was this thorough, we would be in a different (and better) world. Great repair and great very helpful video. I think it's good you fixed the old fridge.. nice not to always just replace things these days.

I went to RSI in 1986 and that's one of the first things we learned, an a/c system is not blowing cold air, it's removing the heat. Once you comprehend that, learning the basics isn't hard.

One month into my new job learning the RV technician trade after nearly 30 years in heavy truck/transportation industry. Sure enjoy your channel and all your adventures!

I personally went with a Amish built 110 unit self installed pretty straight forward couldn't be happier. Works like a champ and doesn't guzzle power 💪

Nice video! One question: are there aftermarket parts for the Dometic RM-2201 refrigerator?

Watching a pro work on one of these, and discussing your earlier experiences and facts tells me you have years of experience. To me, thats more important than any textbook or college education out there. You have been there and done that. This was how I learned small engine repair and like you, I can go through a repair in a fairly quick time frame with fewer mess ups( except hardware failure). After a while, I learned to carry a few extra parts, especially knowing from past experiences what usually fails during a process. Awesome video. I personally would have replaced the whole refrigerator as the owner of that camper. As you said, you are only doing what the owner wanted.

yeah i should of replaced my fridge with a standard compressor fridge, having the propane is neat but i leave it plugged in 99% of the time

I have the same model fridge, and on mine the freezer is only getting like 40 degrees and the fridge is only getting like 60 degrees. Only advice on what may cause that? Thanks.

The owners were smart to want to repair versus buy a dorm type refrigerator. Nothing beats having the option to run propane as you are driving or boondocking where electricity isn't available.

I did this myself 3 days ago. Glad to have a cold fridge again, been a month

Hmmmmm,,,,,,,so, let me ask your opinion on something...I have the same issue in an 07 Flagstaff Super Lite...same model fridge/freezer...an independent RV tech in Quartzsite who I trust told me it would cost between $1300 to $1700. to replace, labor included, and would be an all day job...I told him to forget that, I would buy a dual power 45qt. Alpicool for $350 and be done with it, which I did and it is serving my needs well! Does those prices sound right to you.....an all day job, and the price would be higher if the tech ran into issues....for all I know you may be the tech he was going to farm the job out to, as my guy doesn't do cooling units.

my dometic is from 1995 and still going after 11 years of my fulltime use. I had a fire in the back, but luckily it shut off. It was a blocked burner tube/ oriface. clean the flue tube! I will not be replacing it when it fails. i will go with a dc refrigerator to run off my solar system. or a residential off an inverter. i check mine often to make sure the burner is not blocked and the oriface is clear. to me fixing an old refrigerator makes little sense due to safety and the fact that other parts are just old and will probably fail soon.

So Norcold cooling unit wires up to Dometic control board without any changes? Norcolds do not have climate control switch but normally once every 24hrs shut down for frost control. Eyebrow controls are the same between brands? I did not see any wiring specifics in video. I went with Amish 12 volt unit to replace our Norcold 8 cuft in our Carriage Cameo LXI - they have updated control system now to bypass original control board and thus some of the stand by power usage in old boards

Great video. ??? I have a 3 burner stove and both the back burner knobs only turn to high after they light. No can't adjust to low. Why both seems odd that both the outer knobs are the same. The middle knob is fine. Thanjs

James whats your business contact info . I have a beaver that needs a inspections. 2003 thunder Princeton. In washington. Is that to far away?

We recently installed our Dometic 2 way fridge. We tested today on propane and it ignites and see nice blue flame. The tube at the top of the fridge (back of freezer area) are hot to touch but then they get room temperature near fins. We haven't felt the fridge getting cold. What we haven't done yet is build the frame around the fridge to ensure zero clearance on sides and allow the venting through roof. Fridge has open air all around. Could this be the issue? Does the air really need to get blown up in a closed air chamber for the system to work?

A LOT to remember and understrand but ... got to get it done if I am going to RV School Level 2

Why do you not invest in a headband camera mount?? Would be nice to work with two hands don’t you know… thanks for the video 🤠

Very nice work. Looks like quite the Job haha. I have the same refrigerator in my 2001 camper.... I'm going to just keep my fingers crossed it keeps working properly lol. Thanks for sharing.

For an expensive component it's a shame so many old parts have to be reused, or replaced at additional expense.

Nice video, can you share the cost comparison between a new refrigerator what you did and the suggestion about an DC electric refrigerator?

I know AZ stands for Arizona, but you really know everything from A to Z. I really look forward to seeing your videos. With or without a sweet spot.....

Too bad you aren’t on the east we don’t have reliable rv repair technicians in the Easton, pa area. They all want the trailers brought to the shop most permanents can’t do that. Sadly there aren’t any remote folks here.

Does that come apart as a rm2862 ? I am not a refrigerant person but I can't afford to have someone help me but if you want to talk about auto parts iam the person😅

Okay, it take a truck to hit me before I figure I’m in the road, but what is an Amish unit? Is that a reference to a certain brand name that nobody wants to mention, or is it a type of refrigerator?

You are one crazy dude taking that fridge apart like that he'll have them buy a new one like you said

I’m not looking forward to the day the big double door Dometic New Dimensions will quit in my RV. Hopefully after the controller in the Aqua Hot went out, the vacu flush vacuum generator quit and the basement ac went out in a matter of ten days I spent enough money.

The fact that you do all this work with one hand while holding a camera is amazing.

Some times you have to do what the customer wants. Great job James.

I did the JC Refrigeration "Amish Air" on my nevercold RM1200 and it has never worked better. best $1,700 ever spent. dual operation, original styling no more fire worries.

I believe if my three-way goes out in my camp trailer I am going with a 12-volt compressor refrigerator like an ICECO. But some people are always peculiar.

Great video! Thanks for the step by step details and photos!

First 😂

2019 Grand Design Imagine. Fridge went out. Yellow residue and smell of ammonia and Fridge won’t cool but gets really hot. Can you replace with the. Ew DC fridges?

Great job! How far back do those kits go in age of the fridge. I have a very old one in a family camper that needs replaced.

James another awesome video, you are a rockstar!!! You can take something that is very difficult and make it look very easy!!! Amazing 👍

Knowledge and talent beyond description......any individual that you would mentor would be most fortunate.....I am always amazed when I watch you work.😎😎😎

Absolutely great video! I just can't believe it didn't come with the 120 volt heater?

Had mine replaced about three years ago…by a company owned by Amish….and of course great work…and works great.

Thanks James We appreciate all your talent and wisdom. I too am like Hersh. LOL

Job well done. I worked on home appliances for 40 years, and i don't miss it :)

That was awesome James thank you, I have a 2672 so very similar. Need new door handles and those are 75 days out from Dometic. Thank you for educating me

U Did A fine job.

❤️ Great job. It's nice if you can put a gallon of ice in the freezer & 1 in the fridge if you can freeze them before loading up the unit with worm food. Trying to cool both the food and unit can take forever. 👍👍

Pretty impressive, that would have taken me 2 days to replace that thing. If and when mine goes, it is garage fridge time.

Next time, I think I would just tell the customer buy a new fridge. (cheaper.)$$$$

I’m not understanding! The new unit is working right? Then you MUST have installed it correctly!

so if you didn't need it "right now", what would YOU have chosen for this?

Your a Pro brother!! I ended up putting in a "bigger" dorm type fridge in my old 1999 Lance 1030, I swear they built the truck camper around the dometic!! It did suck not have it run on propane but I did have a onboard Onan genny. Got rid of the 99 due to the black tank was falling out of it and so many soft spots. (purchased it in 2020) now have a 1997 Lance Legend 880 with a working Dometic Royale (cooling unit looks new) Picked that up this March, the 97 was garaged for 16 years when not used, solid as a rock. Anyways fantastic job!!!

That’s too much work it’s better to put a new one electric one not a gas one anymore and my RV it’s gas and power but when the temperature is too high they don’t work very well I’m thinking to change Mine with the residential one

That was a brutal install, I loved watching it. Maybe I missed something? You removed heat sink screws from inside but it all came out with the unit anyway? You have a new sub....

Would it be better to do the propane leak down before you touch anything? Just for a CYA scenario?

Great job. Gotta do what fits customer’s needs, budget and time table.

After watching this I know why I like my 12 volt fridge

Hi where you work i am in florida

But James, its shark week, blood in the water attracts likes

Hey I have a question for you that I am thinking to change my refrigerator for the residential One what do you think

How do I contact you to schedule work on my motor home? I have a couple of issues that would make great videos.

I just ordered a cooling unit. My 2852 started warming up inside. The sidewalls to the freezer are very warm. I replaced co tell board and eyebrow board. All electrical checked good. Propane works and no blown fuses. Ohms checks good, thermistor checks good too. If my heating element gets really hot but the absorber stays cool, is t that indicative of a block? Could I have a block or bad heating element even though the elements gets really hot and checked for ohms was good? I’m thinking I have a block in the cooling system? Could you offer advise?

Thank you. I am replacing the one I have, My Maden voyage On a RM3662. This really helps. I see there is a bike on your website. I love your fault free ending, I can relate.

Awe what a job James, you got more patience than me, if our dometic goes out come on residential fridge, just put in a variable thermistor from a company called clip the tip and it's freezing the food trying to find the sweet spot to place the thermistor.we are in Ennis Montana for the summer hope your surviving the heat ok😅

nicely done, great Video

I definitely would have went with the new refrigerator.

Really enjoy your videos, I have a question for you. I have a norcold N611, Does it have a clue baffle or some other device ?? Why I ask is because my parts book does not show one.

Wouldn't it be easier n just as expensive after labor to just replace the fridge? This is insane

Hi James I have a dometic dm 2852 It’s -5 in the freezer Top shelf in fridge 35 ish Bottom of fridge is 45 ish There’s usually 5 to 10 degree between the top and bottom And don’t know why Everything I ck according to videos all seem to ck out I took it into a shop and they said I need a new fridge so we’re going for second opinion Any ideas what to look for

James, I always enjoy watching you work:)

My Dometic fridge exactly like that one just gave out. Won't cool. I'd like to know what the price difference is from replacing the cooling system versus a new fridge and where I can get the cooling.

Stop touching the toilets lol

I'm surprised with all the people that still love the propane fridges. I wonder how the temp performs in the fridge in 110? It always felt cold to me, but an actual temp gauge would show them creeping higher then the safe zone in the hottest part of the day. The freezer always seemed fine though.

Hi James, do you work on equalizer systems jacks? Class A DP - if not can you recommend in Phoenix area? Thanks for all the great videos!

Great work. Luckily most of the work was inside the RV w/AC. I would have gone with a 12v but considering they live full time it’s understandable they chose to stick with what they have. On a different note, is there a 12v to 120v conversion box that you can plug a 12v into and plug a 110 plug? We swapped our old Jensen 12v TV for a smart TV that isn’t 12v prep plus I wasn’t going to spend $300+ on another Jensen TV that wasn’t a smart TV. Thanks.

A few videos ago, you had a catalog or magazine with RV parts or supplies. Can you tell us what that was? I'd like to find a replacement panel door for my Raptor RV, if there is a good supplier available.

Wow that was involved. Never just the fuse eh!

Wow.. that was a lot of work .. no one in my area wants to do .. they're encouraging me to replace refrigerator (mine is 25 yrs old) so for now I bought little electric fridge 'til I find a good installed price or a good used one

James, I’ve been watching your video content here on RU-vid for 3 years now - ever since we bought our first travel trailer. I apologize for not subscribing until now, better late than never - I guess. In that time I have watched you fix several issues for customers, some of which HAS helped me fix things in my own camper. So thank you for the guidance. I feel like without your content and others, there are things I would not have been able to accomplish on my own. I see the work you do and I can honestly say your work ethic and professionalism are both outstanding. Your customers are very lucky to have you as their serviceman. Keep up the great work AND the great content here on RU-vid as some of us who are capable really do benefit from your guidance. Again, I apologize for not subscribing sooner and thank you.

I want to build an EMP proof chest freezer with foot thick walls, top access plug type door, and no moving parts. I was unaware of the availability of a complete ammonia absorption unit and it looks like just the trick for this project. I did not know that replacement cooling units were available. Think of the possibilities! Heat from a resistive solar powered resistive element, heat from a kerosene burner, heat from direct solar impingement through a lens, methane burner, etc. Not that I will ever need such a device but designing and building things like this keeps my retirement years purposeful. We bought a used slightly damaged 27 foot Dodge Travco motorhome from Dick Smothers of the Smothers Brothers in 1968. We took the Dometic propane fridge out to access something behind it and my dad showed me how ammonia absorption units work. He put it on the work bench and put a small flame from an alcohol burning lamp under the chimney to get it to cool. Keep up the good work!

That was great James! Thanks for bringing us along.

Didn't need an oscillating tool for that...bummer

You are so good now,I expect all your mistakes were before you had a RU-vid channel

My pleasure. You're the best of the best!!!!!!

Replaced mine with an apartment fridge.