Safety

SAFETY

Updated 3-26-08

Dometic Announces

Refrigerator Recall

Certain Dometic two-door refrigerators manufactured between June 1, 2003 and September 30,2006.

Models affected include NDR1062, RM2652, RM2662, RM2852, RM2862, RM3662, RM3663, and RM3862.

These refrigerators where installed in certain Recreational Vehicles as original equipment and sold as aftermarket equipment. A fatigue crack may develop in the boiler tube which may release a sufficient amount of pressurized coolant solution into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.

The release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.

The vehicle manufactures will notify owners of Recreational Vehicles that had the refrigerators installed as original equipment and Dometic will notify owners of the aftermarket refrigerators. Dometic will install a secondary burner housing free of charge.

To find out if your refrigerator falls within either of the recalls, visit http://www2.dometicusa.com/recall.php and enter the model and 8-digit serial number of your Dometic refrigerator. Owners may contact Dometic at (888) 446-5157.

NHSTA Campaign ID: 08E032000

Click here to see copy of NHTSA announcement

Norcold Announces

Refrigerator Recall

Extension

Norcold has recently announced a recall of several models of gas absorption refrigerators. Affected models include 1200LR, 1200LRIM and 1201LRIM.

The following is information from Norcold regarding the recall:

Norcold has voluntarily recalled 1200LR, 1200LRIM and 1201LRIM model gas/electric refrigerators built from 1996 through February of 2001. Affected models have a cooling unit serial number (found on the solution chamber and viewed through the refrigerator vent door outside the RV) from 1008701 and 1273700.

The defect is a potential cooling unit leak caused during AC electric mode operation. If a leak occurs, the refrigerator's cooling performance will deteriorate and a yellow powder residue will be evident at the cooling unit's heating element. Because extended operation of a leaking cooling unit in the AC electric mode may result in a fire, immediate repair.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause, and want to assure that your refrigerator provides you years of safe, reliable and dependable service.

An affected refrigerator without a leak must still be serviced to have its cooling unit repaired to prevent any potential future problem.

Persons owning one of the affected models should:

Turn Off the refrigerator. Do not use it until it has been repaired.
Contact a Dealer/Service Center to arrange a service date as soon as possible. The cooling unit will be replaced. There is no charge for parts and labor.

For more information you should call Norcold at 1-800-767-9101 for additional important information and to obtain the location of the nearest Norcold Service Center. Information is also available at www.norcold.com (select Customer Support, then Recall Info).

Letters detailing the recall extension will be sent to all Manufacturers, Distributors, Dealers and Service Centers. Owners will be contacted as address information becomes available.

NHSTA Campaign ID: 08E030000

Click here to see copy of NHTSA announcement

Rear Brake Chamber Air

Hose Chaffing - Air Line leaks

Several FCOC members have noticed rear service brake chamber air hoses rubbing and chaffing...a couple of owners actually had an air hose leak ...fortunately they were at a fuel stop and it didn't happen driving down the road.

Note, this is not a catastrophic failure...if your air hoses are rubbing and create a leak, there is a good chance in the beginning that the leak will be small and your engine air compressor will 'over power' the leak and your air brakes will continue to work. This is why a 'walk around' is important, looking and listening for strange happenings.

As the leak(s) get bigger, there will come a time when the air compressor can't keep up and you will notice a loss of air pressure in the system. Remember that your front brakes are on a separate air system and will continue to work in this case. As the air losses get bigger, you may notice a reduction in air pressure on your gauges...when the air pressure gets down to ~60-65psi, you will get a low air pressure alarm...a light on the dash and an audible alarm. That is your queue to find a safe place to get off the road and seek assistance.

Remember, your emergency/parking brake is AIR RELEASED & SPRING APPLIED.

In the advent of a faster leak...as the air pressure continues to reduce below ~60 - 65psi, the alarm will continue to operate and at ~40-45psi, the rear parking brakes will set. This is also not a catastrophic event as you are only operating 1/2 your brakes (rear). You will NOT go crashing thru the windshield...you will come to a safe, gradual stop. At the first sign of an air pressure alarm and reducing air in the system, it is time to find a safe place to pull over and stop.

FCCC discovered this problem in Feb. 2006 and issued a Service Bulletin to their dealers in March 2006 (SB 47-15). The bulletin was released to address vehicles built prior to November 4, 2005.

If your chassis is built after Nov. 4, 2005, you should be OK. If your chassis was built BEFORE Nov. 4, 2005, you should make a visual inspection to see if you might have a problem...see pics. below. In my opinion, you should do a visual inspection regardless of mfg. date.

Thanks to Bob Harbin, President FCCC for this SB information.

Here are some pictures courtesy of George Zaft from his MH showing this situation.

His leak was detected by a neighbor who heard the air leak when George started up his rig.

Problem pics