re: RV Gurus - need help

Yes, if it smells like ammonia it is toast. When the ammonia boils it produces a fairly flammable gas, so if it is leaking running it would be no Bueno.

Here is a good site LINK / You can find all the info you could ever want on what causes it, etc.

Some on there have bought a cooling unit made by the Amish that is supposed to be 1000 times better than the Norcold one. As said above the recall kits suck, they are pretty much just a little extra safety temperature probe that shuts the unit off before it can burn a hold in the tubing.

You will also find a lot of talk about what residential fridges fit in the space for that fridge and will be able to see some of the mods people did to make them fit.

One thing I would say, is if you do go with a res fridge is to remember it will only work on gen power or plugged in unless you get an inverter. Also many have had to remove a side window or the front windshield to get the old unit out and/or the new unit in. Some were able to squeeze it thru the door by removing the doors from the fridge. Just be ready to do some work, this is not going to be a buy a new fridge and swap it out without some work project. 99% of these fridges were dropped in before the roof or walls were put on the rig.

I want to do the res fridge upgrade, but our 99 Holiday Rambler fridge just will not die! Damn thing has been the best and coldest one we have ever had in an RV!