Re: [VAC] Dometic Refrigerator repair

["Richard P. Kenan" <rkenan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe:

         IMHO, if you have a leak in an old refrigerator, dump it.  The 
refrigerant is ammonia (under fairly low pressure, 14-44 psi) and hydrogen 
(under considerable pressure, 325-350 psi) over water, with a little sodium 
chromate to negate the mildly corrosive effect of the ammonia solution.  To 
get an idea of what's involved and how absorption refrigerators work, go to

http://www.rvmobile.com/

which contains linke to "Troubleshooting and How Things Work," among 
others.  They give a good description of the operation of these 
refrigerators.  [Another "How Do They Work" kind of site is

http://www.howstuffworks.com/refrig.htm

I did not find this one as complete in its description]

         Unless you're a professional refrigerator repair person, don't 
even think of trying to recharge it yourself.  You can get replacement 
cooling units, but you'd still have a gas-only unit that's old and other 
parts may go soon.
         Just my view - you have to make this decision in consultation with 
your pocketbook, since new fridges are not cheap.

- Dick
(5368)