29 replies to this topic

[Rif]

Well, it finally happened. The cooling unit in our Dometic NDR1492 finally failed after almost 10 years. We have only 3 options.

One option is to replace the whole refrigerator with a new unit. The problem with that is that Dometic no longer makes a unit of our size. We would have to reconfigure the opening significantly. The cost of a new unit is also obscene.

Another option would be to replace the whole refrigerator with a household type. We boondock a lot and would prefer to stay with the RV type. Besides, we couldn't find a household unit that would easily fit our opening either. The opening is 60x36.

The last option, and the one I plan to go with, would be to replace the cooling unit in our existing refrigerator. After doing some research, it seems that the Amish Cooling Unit being sold by RV Cooling Unit Warehouse is the unit of choice. They only have a new unit, not a rebuilt one. They say the tubing used is 50 percent heavier than the original Dometic tubing.

I'm looking at some feedback before I pull the trigger. Anyone had good or bad experience with this unit?

Edited by Rif, 06 June 2011 - 09:24 PM.

[Rif]

Unfortunately, my unit is the big side by side Dometic. The replacement unit for it is $950 plus $150 shipping. They don't want the old unit back because they won't rebuild them. They consider the OEM unit junk.

[bobsallyh]

Rif, here is where I got our Dometic unit 3 years ago. http://www.rvrefrig.com/ Easy change out and doesn't have to be massaged by Dometic once a year to keep the warranty current. Don't want to get into the Amish deal as we lived too close to them in Penna. for over 50 years.

[Rif]

Rif, here is where I got our Dometic unit 3 years ago. http://www.rvrefrig.com/ Easy change out and doesn't have to be massaged by Dometic once a year to keep the warranty current. Don't want to get into the Amish deal as we lived too close to them in Penna. for over 50 years.

I looked at those, but $930 for a rebuilt unit with only a 2 year guarantee did not seem as good an option as the heavier new unit with a 3 year cooling, 5 year leak guarantee. RV Cooling Unit Warehouse also offers a 10 year guarantee for an additional $250.

[bobsallyh]

Well Rif, no matter who you go with, a new cooling unit is the way to go. If it wasn't for the boondocking we do also, a residential refer would have gone in ours in a heart beat.

[docj]

These "Amish cooling units" have been the subject of much discussion on other RV forums. The greatest concern I have about them is the fact that the buyer has absolutely no information about who makes them other than the statement that they are built by an "Amish Refrigeration Manufacturer that mainly builds complete Home Refrigerators & Home Freezer Units." They carry a warranty, but what is the value of a warranty from a company whose name can't even be advertised? If there is a fire in your refrigerator who would you sue? The online merchant makes a specific point of not revealing his physical address, maybe that is so you can't serve him with papers if you have a problem? I can't bring myself to pay ~$1000 for product about which I know virtually nothing.

[trailertraveler]

Don't know if or how much solar you have or whether any of the sizes would fit, but I have been considering the Nova Kool and Dometic 12 Volt compressor units being used in some truck campers and a lot of marine applications.

[DavidMc]

I ordered a replacement cooling unit for my Norcold from rvcoolingunit after speaking with the owner.

I did not feel BS-ed at any time in the entire conversation and transaction.

Between the time I placed the order and the arrival of the unit, my current (old) refrigerator resumed operation. (It had begun to not keep below 40* in refer section even at highest setting following a string of single digit temperature days/nights..)

The day it arrived (via UPS), the outer cardboard on the back of the package was worn through with a connection (perhaps the original flush & fill) both exposed and worn down a bit.
UPS had no problem taking it back as damaged in transit. ( It was laying on that flat back of the package on the floor of the truck, delivery was in a rural area -- aka rough roads.)

I called rvcollingunit about the return. NO Problem; FULL refund of all monies paid.

So I can not speak to the installation or operation of the replacement unit.
But should (and likely it will) the need arise I will strongly consider going back to rvcoolingunit.

===============

My last refrigerator replacement in a prior trailer was a dual-electric 12-volt & 110-volt compressor model from Norcold (purchased through Boaters World).
That is my preferred route should I decide to replace the entire refrigerator -- but probably would want to get a real Danfoss compressor version, not the Norcold knock-off.

[docj]

Here ya go:
RV Cooling Unit Warehouse, LLC & RV Repair Inc. . Phone: (901) 337-9948. Address: 874 Enfield Rd. Memphis, TN 38116-7042. Principal: Mr. David Force, Owner ...

This still doesn't resolve the issue of who stands behind the warranty or product liability issues. Mr. Force may be a very reputable businessman, but he's just a retailer. Who makes the product? How do you know it isn't made in China? Other than the statement on Force's website the buyer has no idea who makes or stands behind these items.

Edited by docj, 11 May 2011 - 05:16 PM.

[Lenp]

Rif,

I had the same refer you have. Replaced the cooling unit with one of the Amish units. It would not cool the unit properly. Returned the cooling unit and received full credit almost immediately. Have also heard of two other cooling units that were replaced and worked fine with the Amish units. Guess I just got a defective unit. Ended up replacing the whole refer with a Norcold unit (1210IM). Had to increase the vertical size of the cabinetry but it sure works great for us.

Lenp

[Bill B]

Rif - I have the same unit. I have a broken door at the hinge. They do not make it anymore (as you know) Nor do they have any parts. At this point, I am looking at a well built residential and spending the extra money on solar, battery upgrades. I figure that my current solar is about 50% (bad factory wiring / install) and by cleaning that up, new controller and more batteries (well, that I will hold off on) I still break even or come out ahead $ wise.

The curerent 50% solar is doing all of our 12v needs and is in absorb by 1 pm.

[Rif]

These "Amish cooling units" have been the subject of much discussion on other RV forums. The greatest concern I have about them is the fact that the buyer has absolutely no information about who makes them other than the statement that they are built by an "Amish Refrigeration Manufacturer that mainly builds complete Home Refrigerators & Home Freezer Units." They carry a warranty, but what is the value of a warranty from a company whose name can't even be advertised? If there is a fire in your refrigerator who would you sue? The online merchant makes a specific point of not revealing his physical address, maybe that is so you can't serve him with papers if you have a problem? I can't bring myself to pay ~$1000 for product about which I know virtually nothing.

On the RV Cooling Unit Warehouse it says the units are built by Pines RV Refrigeration. A simple Google search show where they are located and how to contact them.

Pines Rv Refrigeration
5930 W 200 N
Shipshewana, IN 46565-9707

260-768-7990

[brokeboater]

Anyone had good or bad experience with this unit?

I replaced my cooling unit around the first of the year and used one of the Amish units. I agonized over using a rebuild or a new unit at the time. After removing the old unit, and seeing the effort it takes to remove it, I'd only go with a new unit again. Also, with a rebuilt unit, one doesn't know the condition of the tubing that's reused. You just don't know how long the unit you get was left open to the elements before it was rebuilt.

The unit was shipped very quickly. It was a little worse for wear and tear due, apparently, to shipping, but it didn't seem to make a different in reality. Mr Force was more than helpful in answering my questions as the rebuild progressed. The actual process wasn't as easy as it's represented, but it is doable. The unit certainly works as well as advertised. Cooling ability is not an issue.

Also, the enclosed warranty registration card came from Pines, as someone mentioned. I don't know how good or bad the warranty is, but then I don't know just how good the warranty is for anything you buy anymore.
Good luck.

[Ron and Elena]

I'm looking at some feedback before I pull the trigger. Anyone had good or bad experience with this unit?

My friend's 8 cu ft Norcold died this past March. He ordered a new Amish cooling unit. The fellow at RV Cooling was great to deal with. A series of emails and phone calls were dealt with very promptly and professionally even though this was on a weekend. The unit arrived with some cosmetic shipping damage but nothing serious. The installation took us several hours working together but it was not difficult. The unit did appear to be made of heavier material and had additional welded bracing that made it much more sturdy. It's not a duplicate of the OEM cooling unit as there are differences in how some of the plumbing is routed and interconnected. The unit has been working fine for a couple months.

[richfaa]

Pines Rv refrigeration..5930 W 200 N Shipshewana, IN 46565-9707 . Right smack in the middle of one of the largest Amish areas in the USA. My guess is the workforce there looks like the workforce in the RV plants and the company PR's skilled Amish workmanship just like the RV plants.There is also a large population of Mennonites and although Amish by definition are very different and can use modern technology. Most of the workers in the RV plant that are identified as Amish are of the Mennonite branch. If one grew up in Amish country it is easy to spot the difference.

The company IMO is very like the Rv industry and many companies in that area that employee large numbers of Amish and can claim Amish wormanship..

Amish wormanship does not make a quality Rv..does it make a quality cooling unit ???????

[Rif]

I don't care a whit about the religious orientation of the people working in the factory where the units are built. In fact, I don't really care where or who builds the unit, any more than I would care about any unit I bought that had some name other than "Amish" in the title. As far as I am concerned, including the work "Amish" in the title is nothing more than marketing hype. What I care about is the quality of the unit. The best way for me to determine that, other than conducting an exhaustive analysis of the product (which I don't have the time or resources to do) is to ask for the experience of others who have tried the unit.

I appreciate the feedback from those who have experience with the unit and with RV Cooling Unit Warehouse. The fact that they are the only ones I can find who offer a completely new cooling unit instead of merely rebuilt, that all the reports I can find say that the company is very responsive and honest in the dealings, and that most have reported good results with the unit, leads me to believe they are the right choice for me. I'm going to pull the trigger. I'll report back with the results.

Thanks all.

[docj]

On the RV Cooling Unit Warehouse it says the units are built by Pines RV Refrigeration. A simple Google search show where they are located and how to contact them.

Pines Rv Refrigeration
5930 W 200 N
Shipshewana, IN 46565-9707

260-768-7990

Ok; so a Google search says this company exists. The Manta database says they have 1-4 employees and have been in business for 6 years. The owner is Larry Miller.

Without unnecessary fear-mongering or in any way disparaging Mr. Miller's business, I am totally amazed by how ready people here seem to be to buy a ~$1000 product that their lives depend on from a small company with, presumably, limited resources.

If this was a TV being made by a small company I might debate the question of whether or not it would work as promised, but I wouldn't be too worried about its safety. However, given the safety recalls associated with RV refrigerators made by both Norcold and Dometic I think it is fair to ask about the safety of this aftermarket item. It's not that the safety record of either Norcold or Dometic is good; it's exactly because it isn't that there should be concern about any RV refrigerator cooling unit. Unless you are one of those people who believes that small business products are inherently better than those produced by large companies, IMHO I don't think it is unreasonable to be concerned about the design of these replacement cooling systems. At least large companies have to worry about their image and the potential for lawsuits; a small company can simply go out of business if its products turn out to have performance or safety issues.

Since my comments will probably not deter people from buying these units, I will be interested in reading your LONG TERM performance reviews (not just does it work when you receive it). Remember, the problems with the systems built by the big companies didn't show up on day one. After there is sufficient data I may choose to buy one, or not. I hope, for everyone's sake, that these turn out to be safe, high-quality products.

[Kirk]

There are really two separate issues here. The first one is whether or not replacing the cooling unit is the best choice and the second is the issue of who to get the cooling unit from.

The way that I looked at this when our 11 year old Norcold failed was this. The RV refrigerators were in the midst of a major recall for issues of fires caused by leaks so a re-manufactured unit might still have that same problem. In addition, even if that cooling unit should be perfect, or perhaps even better than the one we had originally, the refrigerator would still be operating with a series of circuit boards and electrical components that are now 11 years old and which will have no guarantee! The question becomes, will the replacement of that cooling unit be a long term fix, or will some other component fail soon after? Although I consider myself to be somewhat more skilled in trouble shooting than the typical RV owner, the refrigerators are one of the more difficult appliances to deal with and most of the service information is of mediocre quality and helpfulness. If I replace the entire refrigerator, I then start with a new one that has a new warranty, while only the cooling unit would be covered with it's replacement.

Even if the cooling unit is covered by warranty, who gets the fun of removing the warranted unit, packing it up and shipping it, then installing another when the replacement comes? Since we had no other place to live but our RV at that time, we just did not want to deal with the extra time and the work involved in doing this repair myself, so I chose to go with a new refrigerator. Had we been in the situation that we are today with a home-base and a refrigerator to use while this one is out of service, then I might have replaced the unit, but that would still have left us dependent upon the 11 year old controls. To us, it was a case of balancing the saving of some money against the advantages of the new refrigerator.

One other thing to consider is that RV refrigerators have improved some in the past 10 years. We found that our replacement refrigerator which fits the original opening in the RV has nearly 1 cubic foot more interior space, due to design changes. Replacing the refrigerator is not a case of having the exact same thing that you had when you bought the RV.

Here is a little data about these cooling units. They are built by an Amish Refrigeration Manufacturer that mainly builds complete Home Refrigerators & Home Freezer Units. Most of the companies that re-manufacture cooling units that you have read about or find on the Internet, only re-work the old cores of defective units. That's the norm. The one thing that sets this manufacturer apart from all others is they do both new and re-manufactured units without doing the normal types of repairs, such as using the standard cooling charge of ammonia and the hydrogen pressure charge.

I still question this statement. If he is implying that the units are made by Amana, that don't hold water as they are no longer owned by a religious colony. It is very popular to make such claims and a great example is the gas heater that has been widely advertised on TV as Amish made, but is not true. It is very easy to make such claims, but he sure don't support that claim.