BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Roger Rempe on March 23, 2015, 09:22:12 PM
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I recently had to replace a freezer thermistor on my Dometic 1402 to the tune of $135 and that was just for the part. Found out that this model of refer is discontinued and very hard/costly to get repaired. I'm weighing my options for the day when I will have to replace this unit. We have an '06 40' Monterey and are full timers that rarely dry camp except for a couple weeks in Quartzite. I have four 6V AGM batteries, one solar panel and an 8K genset. Can I replace the current refer with a residential type and get by with the four batteries or should we replace with another two way? Any advice on both types of replacement brands/models and installer would also be appreciated!
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Talk to Marty Schenck. He did a Samsung conversion as a DIY and runs it on 4 batteries. When my propane fridge dies, I hope to have Marty as a coach :)
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I can not imagine it's an issue. If you don't dry camp it really seldom runs off the batteries directly, either shore power or from the engine alternator via the inverter while driving.
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Talk to Marty Schenck. He did a Samsung conversion as a DIY and runs it on 4 batteries. When my propane fridge dies, I hope to have Mary as a coach :)
Bill, I found Marty's post on his DIY at: http://beaveramb.org/forum/index.php/topic,3396.0.html
Here's a pic of my current fridge. I measured the surrounding space and it is: 32-3/4"W x 63-1/2"H x 27-1/2"D. That really limits what I can replace it with. As we are full timers and no access to tools, etc. we would need professional installation help. I'd appreciate any recommendations from others who have had this done. Also, I noticed that others keep mentioning Samsung models. I wonder if there is a reason for that particular brand?
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Talk to Marty Schenck. He did a Samsung conversion as a DIY and runs it on 4 batteries. When my propane fridge dies, I hope to have Mary as a coach :)
.... Also, I noticed that others keep mentioning Samsung models. I wonder if there is a reason for that particular brand?
I think it is because there is a model or two that fit the hole.
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Roger, Bill
This summer I changed out my 1402 to a Samsung RF197 and very happy with it, DW even more! I did the conversion myself. I was able to lower the platform under the old refrig by lowering heat exchanger & vacuum port by an inch & half and removing 4.5 inches from the panel fascia at the bottom of the opening. We didn't lose any cabinet's above. The floor of the compartment was lowered to allow the frig to slide in.
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Hi Roger, You will not be disappointed going to a residential refer. I've done 8 of these conversions in the the past 3 years and every customer said I wish I had done this sooner. Current samsung refers are very energy efficient and pretty much fit the cabinet encloseure with minimal modifications. Check model RF20HFENBSR at Home Depot. Considerations are as follows: Which window and dressing will be easiest to remove to get the Refer in. You should have a dedicated 120volt dedicated recepticle from the inverter (should be there if you had a 1402). Check the door swing for obsticles. Give me a call if you have any questions. Fred
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Thanks for the input.
It appears that if I go with the Samsung RF18HFENBSR/AA that I will still need to increase the height opening an additional 7". Not sure that I can get that by lowering the floor and all that goes with it. I hate to lose the storage cabinets but I may be able to take the facia wood that separates the fridge and top shelf and move it up to give me the extra space and fill in the void.
I think that I can go through the side window with the units. This job definitely calls for some extra hands and expertise. I wonder if anyone can recommend a good outfit that does this sort of thing? Fred, I may be giving you a call down the road! ;)
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Roger,
Jim Sizemore (RV Outfitters) in Bend (across the street from BCS) does these all the time. And he is a Beaver Ambassador Club sponsor. If I ever do mine I will have Jim do it.
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Roger
We just had our Dometic 1402 replaced with the Samsung RF18 model refrigerator. We had the work done 2 weeks ago at Alliance Motorcoach in Wildwood Fl. We now have lots of ice and hard ice cream!
We are very happy with the refrigerator. you can probably expect to pay about $3400 for the work to be done for you. Ours was in the driver side slide and it fit but we did lose a drawer that was underneath the old refer.They removed the passenger slide side window to remove the old and insert the new refers.
The Samsungs cost about $1300 from Lowes. They do mark them up a little and the labor is expensive. All in all it is a great modification that if you can do the work yourself would not be so expensive.
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Roger, not really sure where you winter, I'm in southern Arizona. Sounds like Dan enjoys his ice cream!
Fred
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I was able to get old frig out and new in through the main entrance door by removing frig doors and swinging main door forward to the mirror. The pass seat was removed also. I was able to gain inch clearance by removing back rollers and front adjuster from bottom of the frig. The only labor help I had moving the frigs in and out the door, three guys that do yard work for the people next door. Will try upload pic's.
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Again...great input from all! At least now I can formulate a plan. From all that I've read and heard, the residential is the way to go. Fred, we typically winter in AZ and are heading out tomorrow from Benson to start the slow trek north to the Midwest area. Perhaps I'll get back to you next season? We also like Oregon so, there's a chance we may check out places there. The fridge is working for now but, I like to be proactive and the DW seems excited to do the replacement!
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If you head to Oregon, Eric and the crew at Elite RV in Harrisburg do Samsung Refer installs. They were doing one when I was there last year. Former Beaver Coach employees and are great to work with.
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Jim Sizemore, the owner of RV Outfitters in Bend, does them too. Jim and his company are one of the BAC's sponsors. The shop is across the street from Beaver Coach Sales (another sponsor) and has done a lot of work for happy Beaver owners. If memory serves, Jim and company did a Samsung replacement for Roy and Vicki Warren.
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We had a Samsung RF18 installed by BAC as part of the purchase agreement when we bought our 2005 Monterey from them last fall. Looks and works great.