How to remove Dometic 3-way (RM2350) from Jayco pop-top?
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023 at 14:05
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Keir & Marg
We have a Dometic 3-way fridge fitted in our 2003 Jayco Freedom pop-top. Our previous Jayco
Penguin had a T-rated Dometic 3-way and it worked
well, but the standard unit in the Freedom has struggled despite having Karls Cool RV fans fitted both internally and externally. Last week's 39C temps in
Griffith were the last straw, with the fridge reaching 18C internally despite being run on gas.
I'm now considering replacing the Dometic with a Bushman 130L compressor fridge.
It seems plenty of people have done this swap in Jayco campers because the old Dometic can be removed through the top half of the doorway.
Has anyone removed a Dometic from a Jayco caravan? Did you have to remove the door, remove the doorway, or remove a window to do it?
Thanks in advance,
Keir
Reply By: Keir & Marg - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2023 at 09:56
Wednesday, Feb 01, 2023 at 09:56
Thanks to all the people who have suggested I measure it! In contemplating the job, there were two obvious things to do - measure things very carefully and search online for forums and videos.
I've done both those things.
With the van door and locking hardware removed, the opening is 545mm. The fridge as measured (and confirmed in the manual) is 556 wide. Note however there is a flange at the front of the fridge. If (and it's a big if) I can remove the flange, the remainder of the fridge is 521 wide, so no problem.
Lots of advice online showing how to remove the fridge from the recess but almost nothing on how to get it out of the van door. Most of the advice is from the US and relates to larger fridges and larger caravans and/or fifth wheelers.
So, if anyone has actually removed a Dometic 2350 (or similar) from an Australian-made Jayco van, I'd love to hear how you did it.
Thanks.
AnswerID:
642778
Reply By: Phil G - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2023 at 13:26
Wednesday, Feb 01, 2023 at 13:26
Get the same problem with most caravans - not just Jayco.
I did
mine recently. Same issue as you with a Thetford 164L fridge - the front surround was what made the fridge too big for the standard doorway. So I took the front of the fridge apart and after removing the striker plate on the doorway I was able to squeeze the fridge out. I didn't bother reassembling the fridge - just took it to the dump.
The new compressor fridge went is easily.
I considered the 130L Bushman and others in similar sizes. It was pointed out to be that it appears the Kings 110L might come out of the same factory as Bushman as the shelving and fixtures look identical. The layout is different though and I preferred the full width freezer in the Kings. I ended up buying the Kings (110L at $800) because it has digital readout on the controls and a 5 year warranty on the whole fridge - not just the Secop compressor.
My only criticism of the fridges in these sizes are that they have a single thermostat and single element (basically the fridge compartment is cooled by the freezer). While the fridge temp is very
well regulated, the freezer temp can vary according to the needs of the fridge, so at times the freezer temp drops enough to soften the icecreams.
But the fridge is very quiet and efficient - power consumption has been a lot lower than i expected.
I blocked off the two outside vents to prevent dust coming in, and ventilated the cavity by the fridge by installing a 5" fan that extracts air into out ensuite.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2023 at 14:39
Wednesday, Feb 01, 2023 at 14:39
I like soft ice cream, Phil!
Bob
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Follow Up By: Phil G - Wednesday, Feb 01, 2023 at 14:58
Wednesday, Feb 01, 2023 at 14:58
Gday Bob,
Yeah me too. I was worried that the Cornettos might go off so had to do something about that :-)
Cheers
Phil
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