Need a new Compressor Fridge in Spain… Ammonia/Vinegar fridge smell - now not cooling! 🤬

[Carpmart]

Two days ago we noticed a fairly strong vinegar or ammonia type smell… googling suggests it Freon gas! The fridge is now not cooling. Fridge Gas burner working fine, electric working fine, my guess is we have no coolant gas in the pipes, hence no cooling!

Anyway, this is the catalyst to getting a replacement fridge. Makes sense to move away from a Three Way Fridge to a 12v compressor one, but which one for my size fridge, do dometic compressor fridges work okay or should I be looking at other makes? Are there standard size ‘drop in’ replacements available and finally, where do I buy one in SE Spain?

I’m assuming fitting is a case of cap off gas supply and connection to 12v? Will the 12v wiring already there be good enough or do I need to run a new supply feed?

Would be grateful of the advice of others who have done this?

Thanks!

 

[tonka]

Sheddy may be able to advise as i know he has gone through this..

 

[Lenny HB]

Can you run your fridge off of the habitation batteries, if so the wiring will be fine.
If it only runs when the engine is running then you could make use of those cables if they run back to the distribution unit & repurpose them.
What distribution unit do you have?

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

And Steve and Denise fitted a compressor fridge.

 

[oldiesontour]

If size/availability is a problem much more choice (and much lower price) with 240v, either with an existing inverter or a small dedicated one( additional power draw is negligible 5 to 6 ah per 24hrs to keep my inverter on) and this may be saved with a more efficient fridge

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[funflair]

Early Dometic 10 series compressor fridges had loads of problems (might still have), which is basically why Morelo moved to the Domestic type that is in Gareth and Phil's van.

 

[Steve and Denise]

As Lenny says the wiring is man enough from the leisure batteries (easy to check feed) it was a leisurely days messing about to fit it, I can’t remember what your fridge size was but there are lots of options/sizes
Our was quite bulky so did need a lift to remove the old one.

Should have said I used a Thetford

 

[Vansflyer]

We changed ours a few months ago to a Thetford compressor unit. The 12V wiring on our Carthago was fine for the job as previous unit would pull 15A on 12V, new one less than half that. I patched the CBE board with a jumper wire as per user manual so it was a constant 12V feed rather than switched on D+. We had the "none tec tower" and no drop in replacements available for that so ordered a T2160 and added a draw for storage. Capped the gas off and used the feed for a oven under the hob. No idea where to source one in Spain but this is the model that we picked, as did lots of others including Steve and Denise

Thetford T2160 12V Compressor Fridge Freezer for Campervans & Motorhomes

Thetford T2160 12V Compressor fridge for campers, caravans & motorhomes. Ultra-efficient fridge freezer for larger vehicles, 158L volume.

www.jacksonsleisure.com

 

[Carpmart]

Can you run your fridge off of the habitation batteries, if so the wiring will be fine.
If it only runs when the engine is running then you could make use of those cables if they run back to the distribution unit & repurpose them.
What distribution unit do you have?

I’ve never tried Lenny. Will check if it’s a permanent 12v feed off the hab batteries, which I doubt, more likely vehicle side!

I’ve some 4mm2 cable with me so I can run some new cables up to the fridge compartment.

As for distribution unit, no idea…

 

[Tombola]

you could try these from another thread, nor far if you are in your regular spot, I was in touch with them last year (after I seen you lot funnily enough) about a solar job and they seemed fine, they may know where to source the fridge

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[gus-lopez]

I trawled through dozenss of sites checking measurements & prices a few months back.
Bought from these
https://gumercamperaccesorios.com/29-neveras
in the end. Same as from other companies yet 100 + cheaper-
There is also https://madridcamper.com/87-neveras-fijas-12v-con-compresor who I was thinking of using. Most come with 2 years gtee but some from Madrid campers have 3 years.
Be aware that many dometic,alpicool ,etc are the same as the unbranded ones.

Mi tortuga is another
https://www.mitortuga.es/neveras-autocaravanas-caravanas-camper-camping

delivery is normally a couple of days.

There are plenty of others . Search Neveras or frigorificos

 

[Carpmart]

This is the current one…

It’s got matching door trim to worktop, which I guess we will not retain!

Anyone know how to identify the model of the current fridge so I can get dimensions?

Also, where to buy in Spain!

 

[Steve and Denise]

There should be a model number inside on a label

 

[Carpmart]

Luckily got the beer (compressor) fridge out of the garage and in the Motorhome now, so not so urgent! The tonic is now nicely chilled again for Rene!

 

[Lenny HB]

I’ve never tried Lenny. Will check if it’s a permanent 12v feed off the hab batteries, which I doubt, more likely vehicle side!

I’ve some 4mm2 cable with me so I can run some new cables up to the fridge compartment.

As for distribution unit, no idea…

Just looked at the spec on a tall Thetford Fridge/freezer they recommend 4mm2 up to 4m cable run and 6mm2 up to 6m. If I was installing one I would fit at least 10mm2 to give minimal volt drop.

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[Dutch 68]

Amazon , delivered to site?

 

[Lenny HB]

This is the current one…

It’s got matching door trim to worktop, which I guess we will not retain!

Anyone know how to identify the model of the current fridge so I can get dimensions?

Also, where to buy in Spain!

View attachment 1003675

Looks like a RM7651 or RM7655

 

[Carpmart]

 

[Carpmart]

Looks like a RM7651 or RM7655

You know your appliances Lenny!

 

[Carpmart]

So it’s a 7651 fridge/freezer currently. Dometic don’t do a direct replacement… any ideas for a correctly sized replacement? Has anyone else replaced a 7651 with something that was a decent fit?

What does one search for with a domestic fridge freezer to ensure a low power consumption compressor comes up on the searches?

Thanks all!

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[Sheddy]

I used the Thetford 2160 which.filled nicely in the previous Tec Tower space (525mm wide), but decided to run a separate fused and switched supply from the batteries.
I also fitted a Thetford Spinflow oven grill above. After a few teething problems they now work fine, however you will be able to hear the FF when the compressor is running even in Night mode.

 

[Mr porky]

Hire a domestic standard fridge of the campsite, I'm sure they do that for the tuggers.

 

[Carpmart]

Hire a domestic standard fridge of the campsite, I'm sure they do that for the tuggers.

Got the beer fridge inside now so no immediate issue!

 

[oldiesontour]

So it’s a 7651 fridge/freezer currently. Dometic don’t do a direct replacement… any ideas for a correctly sized replacement? Has anyone else replaced a 7651 with something that was a decent fit?

What does one search for with a domestic fridge freezer to ensure a low power consumption compressor comes up on the searches?

Thanks all!

I spent a fair amount of time researching firstly size on the likes of Currys,Argos,Amazon,ao,and eBay...gets frustrating as many different names for the same fridge freezer ,power consumption(as in watts) didn't seem to vary much for units of equal size,the annual consumption is indicated by the energy rating,I ended up with a fridge freezer,that due to it's design gave more usable volume for the equivalent (external) size of a 12v...Mine runs happily off a 600w psw inverter ,plate says 50w but actually runs at 42w

 

[Lenny HB]

This might be useful.

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[Pugsy]

This is the current one…

It’s got matching door trim to worktop, which I guess we will not retain!

Anyone know how to identify the model of the current fridge so I can get dimensions?

Also, where to buy in Spain!

View attachment 1003675

This is from my manual,not exactly the same as mine has the oven controls also
But may help.
Also the dimensions on the models are almost the same
Sangar motorhomes in Cartagena may be somewhere to look.

Cheers Cris

Ps. Just noticed you posted fridge model.

 

[StillGoing]

I swapped my Dometic 3-way for a Thetford compressor. I’d never go back to a 3-way.

Thread 'Goodbye Dometic RMD8505, hello Thetford T2160'
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/goodbye-dometic-rmd8505-hello-thetford-t2160.291020/

 

[Carpmart]

Thanks for all the replies on this.

Have now isolated has, need to cap it off, will go to a hardware store for an 8mm compression cap. I’ve measured the hab door, easily get the old one out and new one in, measured the old one and the space and all looks good there too. The Thetford T2610 will be ordered tomorrow. Looks like a good replacement option…

Also found a Leisure battery power supply behind the existing fridge with decent size cable so will probably use that for the power supply.

For those that have fitted the Thetford, does it have adjustable feet on the base?

Again for the Thetford compressor fridge users, what’s the power consumption been like? Is the fridge a nice quality unit?

Thanks in advance…

 

[Vansflyer]

Thanks for all the replies on this.

Have now isolated has, need to cap it off, will go to a hardware store for an 8mm compression cap. I’ve measured the hab door, easily get the old one out and new one in, measured the old one and the space and all looks good there too. The Thetford T2610 will be ordered tomorrow. Looks like a good replacement option…

Also found a Leisure battery power supply behind the existing fridge with decent size cable so will probably use that for the power supply.

For those that have fitted the Thetford, does it have adjustable feet on the base?

Again for the Thetford compressor fridge users, what’s the power consumption been like? Is the fridge a nice quality unit?

Thanks in advance…

No adjustable feet on ours, less than good but hey ho. Consumption depends on how high / low you set the thermostat... at the risk of stating the obvious. Freezer on -18, fridge on middle setting works well for us but others can probably be more specific on ah consumption. Quality is way better than our non tech tower, shelves have plastic guards at door end to stop the stuff flying off, light actually works and the doors open & close in a positive manner. Freezer is way more accessible as a drawer and you can adjust temps individually and even turn freezer off if not needed. Don't forget to blank off your old and no longer needed fridge vents or you will get some chilly winds coming in

 

[Sheddy]

It doesn't have adjustable feet, I fitted some spaced 25 x 3mm thick battens at the base.
We are in Beni at the moment and using about 35 a/h a day, fridge and freezer on medium settings and night option selected.

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