marzman
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Post by marzman on Aug 5, 2021 4:34:29 GMT -8
I have a 1968 Aloha camper. The fridge has a problem. It fires up but puts out and older like ammonia. I've been putting a lot of ice in the pull-out tray and using it as a cooler which is great for a short weekend. Can this be repaired or is it dead? Really dont want to lose the original box. If not repaired, can I replace or convert the system? Thanks
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Post by vikx on Aug 5, 2021 11:25:33 GMT -8
DEAD as a doornail...
Absorption fridges use heat to cool; google them. The ammonia smell is coming from the cooling unit (coils) at the back. The old ones can not be repaired and cooling units can't be "recharged" like a household fridge. You could retrofit the old fridge with new dorm fridge "guts" or install an AC/DC upgrade. An easier path might be to save the old door as the front of a cabinet containing the appropriate size dorm fridge.
Look for marine refrigerators for ideas. You can also purchase an RV elec/gas fridge at RV shops. Be prepared for price shock-little ones start at $600...
Lastly, ammonia is dangerous. I would remove the fridge and let it gas outside rather than use it as is. Once the ammonia is gone, you can use it as an icebox. It's even possible to install a drain.
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Post by Teachndad on Aug 6, 2021 19:18:39 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
I have a related question to this thread.
My 1985 Starcraft pop-up trailer has a fridge in it. The trailer has been sitting almost two years with no use. The last time I used it it was having trouble getting below 60 degrees. We almost took it on our most recent camping trip. I had tested it overnight on the propane setting and it only got down to 70 degrees, but it was near 100 outside at the time. 11 years ago, the fridge could get down to the low 40s. I did blow out the chimney with compressed air to clear any critters thinking that might help.
I don't have any ammonia smell. Is it still dead? Also, I guess I could run it on electricity, but won't that kill the battery in a day?
Thanks,
Rod
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Post by vikx on Aug 7, 2021 10:27:00 GMT -8
Rod, I'd say the fridge is another doornail. Gas is the way to test. There are a couple of things you can try:
Run the fridge and listen. If you hear gurgling, very bad. The more it gurgles, the sicker it is.
"Burping" a fridge can give you another year or so of cooling. Remove the fridge (gas line off, anchor screws removed and possible trim removal). Turn the fridge upside down and let it sit for 24 hours. Turn it upright and let sit for at least another 6 hours. Hook up the propane and see if it gets cold. (no need to install if you use a BBQ tank with regulator-3/8 flare to the fridge) You should feel cooling in the freezer area first and the fridge should get to 40* within a couple of hours. (it can take longer, but if you're not feeling ANY cooling, the news is not good) Give it 12 hours. If no cooling, DEAD.
I've burped many fridges over the years, and it helped ONE out of all of them... it was on it's last legs.
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Post by Teachndad on Aug 8, 2021 5:54:00 GMT -8
Thanks Vik,
That's a lot of work to burp the fridge with low odds of success. I can give it the Listen for Gurgling Test. I don't remember hearing gurgling, but I wasn't listening for it. Would it be prudent to wait to retest when the temps cool down to 70's and 80's or does it even matter?
Would a leak(s) effect the performance of the fridge? I haven't smelled any gas though. I can check with soapy water at the connections.
Rod
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Post by vikx on Aug 8, 2021 11:56:49 GMT -8
The fridge will gurgle in the cooling unit (top back), so you might listen at the back vent area. One thing that can help a fridge cool is a small 12 volt fan to help exhaust hot air. They are used on newer units. If yours has been working all these years without a fan, there's not much hope of it helping.
Gas leaks aren't related to the cooling. Testing is always good but it won't help the fridge work.
Unfortunately, there's just no way to repair these older fridges. Other than replacing with a new one, your fridge is now a glorified icebox.
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