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Refrigirator Decisions
We purchased a 2005 Marathon XL2 in 2007. It has an Amana refrig with mirrored glass panel doors.
Back in 2010, the compressor relay burned out. I slid out the refrig and replaced the relay. Worked great until last week. Went in bus barn to check everything and it had quit cooling. Turned off breaker for a few hours. When we turned the breaker back on it finally started cooling again. Replaced the relay the next day and has been cooling great since.
My concern is that the first time the relay went out, it was fried. This time, the relay looked fine and had no burned contacts. We can’t source another refrigirator with the mirrored panels. We really like the mirrored panels and hate to give them up. Seems to make that area of the bus look larger. Not so sure that a new stainless unit will look as good.
Now trying to decide whether to replace with a new unit or see how much longer we can get out of the Amana. We realize that the refrig is at least 13+ years old.
Would appreciate any and all opinions.
Thanks,
Ron
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6 Replies
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In our previous coach I nursed an Amana through several repairs. For the reason you state with panels matching the interior I was reluctant to give up on it. After it failed for the 4th time I bit the bullet and replaced it and realized I should have gotten rid of the Amana long before I did.
The research to find a refrigerator that would fit the opening narrowed my options and we settled on one that should have fit. It lacked about 1/8″ so some modifications on the opening were required. It was a learning experience. I settled on a refrigerator with stainless steel doors to replace the Amana that had doors trimmed with a Vitricor to match the cabinets. The stainless did not look out of place, but if it did not I was prepared to have a shop add panels to match the cabinets.
I know your pain, but when you get one that is reliable to replace the Amana the pain goes away.
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We had the same delimna and bought a new Samsung, side by side, counter depth. Yes, windshield had to be removed, yes, they broke it, yes i paid for new fridge and new windshield but i now have hard ice cream!
Bite the bullet and buy a new fridge. They are so much more energy efficient!
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Ditto, I’ve done 2, out with the Amana’s and in with the new. It’s just a matter of time before you’re on a nice trip and the ole Amanda will stick it to you.
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We went with a 22.5 CF GE refrigerator to replace our Amana. We looked at the selection of counter-depth refrigerators at Home Depot in Arington. We knew we wanted a french door unit, and the width was a key factor. Some units had the width, but when you opened the doors, they were more than 5 inches wider. This unit was only about two inches wider, so it fit nicely, and Marathon shoehorned it in. So far (1+year) it has been working perfectly.
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There are a lot of counter dept units to choose from if You do enough searching. I opted for a Samsung stainless that has a 5 Star energy rating. Hopefully it will be easier on the house batteries.
Bsafe,
Rocky -
Thanks everyone. We are going to replace the refrig.
While we’re at it, we will replace the convection/microwave with
a stainless unit also.While it’s not a big deal to slide it out for an occasional repair, the potential loss of my wifes delicious homemade from scratch chili and vegetable soup is another story. She always makes up several batches before each trip and puts them in the freezer. The first time it went out, it was a disapointing event. Now that it’s happened twice, guess who will take the blame the third time? Yep, appliances are cheap!
We will miss the mirrored panels though.
Thanks again.
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