Replacing Dometic RM4233 absorption fridge

Canalsman

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I'm looking for a compressor fridge either 12 or 240 volt to replace the three way fridge.

Has anyone here done that?

Any suggestions as to fridges that would fit the void?

Thanks :)
 
Loads on here over the years, cheaper to buy a good 230v unit and a inverter, all depending on how big a fridge you require, try and get a tripple a unit if you can and min double the inverter size on output which will allow for start up spike, wildbus is you man to be truthfull, he done many tests a few years back.
 
Most websites give the dimensions of the various models. An underbench domestic model will be a standard width and depth, maybe the height can vary.
 
Tompa just replace his fridge freezer with a one of Amazon was on sale at £299 12v compressor its a cracking fidge 83 ltr.
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I'm looking for a compressor fridge either 12 or 240 volt to replace the three way fridge.

Has anyone here done that?

Any suggestions as to fridges that would fit the void?

Thanks :)
Here is a link to a PDF with a 'conversion chart' showing exact fit Dometic replacements ....

I think the dimensions are 486 x 821 x 474 (w x h x d).
Dometic make a like-for-like 3-way replacement but not a Compressor model to fill the void

For Thetford, have a look at https://www.jacksonsleisure.com/content/pdf/thetford/Thetford-Refrigerator-Conversion-Overview.pdf
Again, there are no Thetford like-for-like Compressor fridges that will fit, disappointingly.

So matter of finding a suitable 12V unit or 240V with the right dimensions and one that does not make noises (some 240V can be annoying - my house Fridge/freezer I could not have in the Motorhome with the noise it makes. the 240V that I DO have in the Motorhome on the other hand is totally silent!)
If you go 240V, you will need an inverter to run it. will need wiring into the socket behind the fridge. You would also need to sort out a door lock of some type
If you go 12V, you will need new wiring from battery to fridge (the existing 12V wiring comes from the Starter Battery so is no use to you).
Whichever you go for, need to build some kind of frame to fill the gap between old fridge and surround.
 
Unfortunately it's made more complicated by the presence of a wheel arch behind the fridge.
Is the fridge not raised up and above the arch? So effectively a flat floor? The Fridge on my own Autotrail is above the wheelarch as well.

There is (or at least was) a Waeco compressor fridge which had a compressor unit that could be respositioned to allow the fridge to be fitted by a wheel arch. I think the model was the RF40 or RF45, but that was maybe 10 years ago so will by now either have been updated or discontinued I would think.
 
Tompa just replace his fridge freezer with a one of Amazon was on sale at £299 12v compressor its a cracking fidge 83 ltr.View attachment 146160
Yes, I posted a link to that one a couple of weeks ago. It's a rebadged Alpicool.
Also, I think the price gap between the 12/24v fridges and the 230v ones has come down enough to make it not worthwhile complicating matters with fitting an inverter.
 
Is the fridge not raised up and above the arch? So effectively a flat floor? The Fridge on my own Autotrail is above the wheelarch as well.

There is (or at least was) a Waeco compressor fridge which had a compressor unit that could be respositioned to allow the fridge to be fitted by a wheel arch. I think the model was the RF40 or RF45, but that was maybe 10 years ago so will by now either have been updated or discontinued I would think.
No I don't think so...
 
Found an image ....
1758321232106.png

"This caravan fridge has a capacity of 70 litres, Electronic re-ignition, Thermostatic control on mains and gas operation
The wheel arch cut-out permits the use of what would otherwise be dead space"

Looks like getting a suitable replacement could be a bit tricky? They are around, for example https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166814856815 but not cheap
1758321771782.png
1758321744166.png
 
Found an image ....
View attachment 146166
"This caravan fridge has a capacity of 70 litres, Electronic re-ignition, Thermostatic control on mains and gas operation
The wheel arch cut-out permits the use of what would otherwise be dead space"

Looks like getting a suitable replacement could be a bit tricky? They are around, for example https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166814856815 but not cheap
View attachment 146168 View attachment 146167
That is too wide unfortunately.

I made contact with Jacksons earlier today and they are going to see if they can find a replacemt to match the dimensions of the existing fridge.
 
I replaced our 3 way with an Alpicool model.
If you can view my earlier posts there are photos of it installed. I did have to fit smaller height feet as it was a bit tight. Main issue I had was my sink drain was directly above it.
Slightly disappointed with the Alpicool's temperature control, it has adjustable freezer values and fridge compartment. In reality it appears that one change affects the other.
Quite power hungry. I can normally survive 2 nights without solar before driving off, thats with 2 x 85a/hour gel batteries.
 
I replaced our 3 way with an Alpicool model.
If you can view my earlier posts there are photos of it installed. I did have to fit smaller height feet as it was a bit tight. Main issue I had was my sink drain was directly above it.
Slightly disappointed with the Alpicool's temperature control, it has adjustable freezer values and fridge compartment. In reality it appears that one change affects the other.
Quite power hungry. I can normally survive 2 nights without solar before driving off, thats with 2 x 85a/hour gel batteries.
I found this thread but there isn't any description of the installation:


However I did find your thread on Motorhomer.

Did your fridge installation have the added complication of a wheel arch behind the fridge?
 
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I fitted a adventure 90ltr compressor fridge instead of the 3 way
I had to make a frame fill at the sides and drop the oven that was above it down.
I could not match the wood colour .
I failed to find the size to fill the space left when removing it.
 
Thing is there are loads and loads of options when it comes to height and width and then you fill in the gaps left, but there are very few choices that deal with a limited depth, and that aspect seems to be forgotten about in the replies :(
 
Thing is there are loads and loads of options when it comes to height and width and then you fill in the gaps left, but there are very few choices that deal with a limited depth, and that aspect seems to be forgotten about in the replies :(
Indeed.

That's what I am trying to resolve.
 
Been trying to find the Waeco with the repositional compressor and I think this is the closest to what I was looking for? I think this may be a newer version?

It is the Waeco CRP40. Maybe obsolete now and replaced with a different model?
Many Weacos are badged as Dometic now, so might need to look for that as well to get a current version? Anyway, have a look here - https://www.waecofridges.co.uk/crp40.htm

This is a side view - and the compressor section can actually be located upto 1.5M from the Fridge, so very adaptable and is meant for wheel-arch installs.
1758462914798.png

Full dimensions in the link, but summary below:
W x H x D:
With Cooling Unit / Without Cooling Unit
380 x 534 x 492 mm / 380 x 534 x 310 mm

Not going to be a cheap solution, but is a quality one.
 
I found this thread but there isn't any description of the installation:


However I did find your thread on Motorhomer.

Did your fridge installation have the added complication of a wheel arch behind the fridge?
Sorry for delay, yes the photos were on the Motorhomer site. The posting was titled

Old Dometic RM7270 replaced with Alpicool CR85​

Bought from Clearcut Design in Barnstable. You should be able to see the range of goodies in the photo.
I did not need a wheel cut out model although the CR85 does have one. Hopefully you can find dimensions elsewhere?

Screenshot_20250921_160343_eBay.jpg
 
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