Went away for the weekend and my fridge has given up the ghost on mains and gas. It’s a dometic RMS 8551 and cannot get one in the uk anywhere - well except for one bloke in Ilford - who refuses to ship to me as he wants cash in hand and collection only and it’s a slightly different model number anyway.
Does anyone know any reputable breakers who may have a second hand fridge for sale? This is a nightmare as we can’t get away again until it’s sorted
Seems a bit drastic to replace the whole fridge. There are so many components, do you know what’s packed in? Part(s) might be available even if you’re struggling to get a complete fridge. A mobile engineer might advise too.
And you could get away, surely? you just need something temporary for keeping things cool (unless you’re needing a specific temperature for storing medication). I used to have chilled wine & ice for my G&T when I was camping in a tent, with a “chilly bin” that had been pre-cooled.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 02/6/2025
Seems a bit drastic to replace the whole fridge. There are so many components, do you know what’s packed in? Part(s) might be available even if you’re struggling to get a complete fridge. A mobile engineer might advise too.
And you could get away, surely? you just need something temporary for keeping things cool (unless you’re needing a specific temperature for storing medication). I used to have chilled wine & ice for my G&T when I was camping in a tent, with a “chilly bin” that had been pre-cooled.
A caravan engineer today has deemed the fridge BER, as by the time he replaces the control panel PCB and compressor it will be cheaper getting a new fridge.
Quote: Originally posted by Audi-man on 02/6/2025
This is a nightmare as we can’t get away again until it’s sorted
That sounds a bit drastic.
For many years until not too long ago caravans were not fitted with fridges but people still went away, as do tent campers. A decent cool box will keep your milk fresh for a few days and other fresh food can be bought locally to help the local economy.
Quote: Originally posted by Audi-man on 02/6/2025
Does anyone know any reputable breakers who may have a second hand fridge for sale? This is a nightmare as we can’t get away again until it’s sorted
Unfortunately regarding breakers it's just a case of emailing or phoning to try and get one, and hoping they get back to you.
I know a couple I tried recently didn't even have the decency to reply to me.
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Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 02/6/2025
Seems a bit drastic to replace the whole fridge. There are so many components, do you know what’s packed in? Part(s) might be available even if you’re struggling to get a complete fridge. A mobile engineer might advise too.
And you could get away, surely? you just need something temporary for keeping things cool (unless you’re needing a specific temperature for storing medication). I used to have chilled wine & ice for my G&T when I was camping in a tent, with a “chilly bin” that had been pre-cooled.
A caravan engineer today has deemed the fridge BER, as by the time he replaces the control panel PCB and compressor it will be cheaper getting a new fridge.
Are you sure that the 'mobile engineer' knows what he is doing? As far as I'm aware this is an absorption fridge and does not have a compressor.
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There’s a condition called vapour lock, where bubbles in the coolant stop it circulating. If the lights are on, but it just isn’t cooling, it might be this.
The treatment is to disconnect everything, take the fridge out and stand it upside down overnight. It might not be this, but at least it’s worth a try. If not, Jackson’s Leisure should be able to advise on a suitable replacement unit. The 8551 has been discontinued for quite some time now.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 02/6/2025
Seems a bit drastic to replace the whole fridge. There are so many components, do you know what’s packed in? Part(s) might be available even if you’re struggling to get a complete fridge. A mobile engineer might advise too.
And you could get away, surely? you just need something temporary for keeping things cool (unless you’re needing a specific temperature for storing medication). I used to have chilled wine & ice for my G&T when I was camping in a tent, with a “chilly bin” that had been pre-cooled.
A caravan engineer today has deemed the fridge BER, as by the time he replaces the control panel PCB and compressor it will be cheaper getting a new fridge.
"Compressor"!!!!! This guy hasn't got a clue what he's talking about! If your model number is correct, this is an absorption fridge with passive heaters, one for 12V, one for 240v, and a gas burner for LPG use! NO COMPRESSOR! Get a second opinion from someone who has clue or isn't trying to scam you!
Absorption fridges rarely truly 'fail' absolutely, heater cartridges fail, affecting either 12v or 240v operation, they are pretty cheap parts. Control PCBs do sometimes fail, usually giving a fault code of numbers on display or light flashing sequence, bit more expensive to replace. Gas sometimes fails with blocked jets, failed flame out sensor, ignitor, or sooted up flue. Very, very occasionally the refrigeration circuit can get an 'air lock', if it doesn't sort itself with rest or a journey, rectified by removing fridge, upending for a few hours to redistribute refrigerant, then refitting. Bit of a PITA job, but no new parts required - pretty rare fault but not unknown.
Most repairs are cheaper than like for like or upgrade complete replacement - caravan fridges are horrendously expensive, which is why truly broken ones often get replaced with mains only domestic ones (you are then limited to EHU pitches!)!
You don't have to refit exactly the same model fridge, so long as external dimensions are the same to fit in the space, wiring and gas connections could be adapted if necessary to fit alternative model.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 02/6/2025
Seems a bit drastic to replace the whole fridge. There are so many components, do you know what’s packed in? Part(s) might be available even if you’re struggling to get a complete fridge. A mobile engineer might advise too.
And you could get away, surely? you just need something temporary for keeping things cool (unless you’re needing a specific temperature for storing medication). I used to have chilled wine & ice for my G&T when I was camping in a tent, with a “chilly bin” that had been pre-cooled.
A caravan engineer today has deemed the fridge BER, as by the time he replaces the control panel PCB and compressor it will be cheaper getting a new fridge.
"Compressor"!!!!! This guy hasn't got a clue what he's talking about! If your model number is correct, this is an absorption fridge with passive heaters, one for 12V, one for 240v, and a gas burner for LPG use! NO COMPRESSOR! Get a second opinion from someone who has clue or isn't trying to scam you!
Absorption fridges rarely truly 'fail' absolutely, heater cartridges fail, affecting either 12v or 240v operation, they are pretty cheap parts. Control PCBs do sometimes fail, usually giving a fault code of numbers on display or light flashing sequence, bit more expensive to replace. Gas sometimes fails with blocked jets, failed flame out sensor, ignitor, or sooted up flue. Very, very occasionally the refrigeration circuit can get an 'air lock', if it doesn't sort itself with rest or a journey, rectified by removing fridge, upending for a few hours to redistribute refrigerant, then refitting. Bit of a PITA job, but no new parts required - pretty rare fault but not unknown.
Most repairs are cheaper than like for like or upgrade complete replacement - caravan fridges are horrendously expensive, which is why truly broken ones often get replaced with mains only domestic ones (you are then limited to EHU pitches!)!
You don't have to refit exactly the same model fridge, so long as external dimensions are the same to fit in the space, wiring and gas connections could be adapted if necessary to fit alternative model.
I honestly don’t know I gave him the keys he went to se it and came back with that response, I wouldn’t know what’s in in one and what isn’t. He was tempted to replace the control panel and pcb but even that is a costly risk if that doesn’t work I still have to pay for the parts hence why trying to source a replacement is better but appreciate the responses
Think you may be horrified at cost of s/h replacement fridge! Nothing like ordinary domestic appliance prices. Matching s/h one to yours currently on eBay for £975 (collection only from Essex).
Breakers are selling 30 year old basic (no separate freezer) different model (common for that era) for £175!
Don't forget you are likely to have to pay a caravan engineer to remove old one and fit replacement one - that's a fair bit of labour time to pay for! There are mains electric, 12v and Gas connections to be safely made and checked, so not always a DIY job!
Another less than obvious problem with removing/exchanging entire large appliances, is that often they do not fit through the doorway! Daft as that may sound, they were fitted at caravan manufacture before the caravan external walls were fitted, that's the way they build caravans, from the inside out! Often only way of extracting fridges etc. is through the large front window (and the replacement goes in the same way!), which depending on window may involve temporarily removing that too! Lots of work = lots of cost! You need to check the dimensions of your fridge and compare to your door opening to see how complex taking out old fridge and putting replacement in is!
Repairing existing one may not be cheap, but replacement can be FAR more expensive!
I think a second opinion from another caravan engineer would be wise, and get a labour cost estimate for replacing the entire fridge.
You can get compressor fridges for quite reasonable prices now.
They work on 12 or 24v and come with mains adapters. We have a 4o litre Alpicool which is excellent. It can be a freezer too. Some models have separate freezer compartment.
We use ours in the awning when on mains hookup.
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Thanks folks am getting another company to come in and check, water also not working now think the pump may be faulty. Fed up of this van now just fault after fault
Is this an old caravan ? You really need to diy stuff like water pumps. If you call a repair man for every fault it will cost you a fortune. As for your fridge cheap fix is to buy a cheap domestic compressor fridge. Table top fridge for £100. Obviously you will need to be plugged into EHU.
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Topic: Dometic 3 way fridge - totally packed in
via mobile 02/6/2025 at 8:45pm
