Boler B1700 Dometic RM36 fridge parts / repair

[LeftToaster]

I am getting to the point in my restoration of my Boler B1700 where I am looking to get the original RM36 3way absorption fridge working. It works on AC and on Propane (haven't tried DC yet, but probably). However the big plastic selector switch / cam that shuts off the gas and is supposed to toggle it into AC mode does not engage the switch - I have to do it by hand from the back of the fridge. It's part number 31 on the attached diagram.

The selector will turn (looking at it from the rear of the fridge) clockwise - which opens the gas valve - but only if I manually put the switch (#26) into the middle position. Turning counter clockwise it will only go as far as fully closed on the valve - but there doesn't seem to be anything on the groove that the switch rides in to activate the switch. Am I missing something?

It looks like if I were able to keep turning the selector counter clockwise the radius of the groove changes and would push the switch up. But the stop on the backside of the gas valve prevent turning past full closed (gas handle down).

[LeftToaster]

I am assuming that parts #21 and #31 are mutually exclusive - 21 being for the 2-way (LPG/AC) and 31 being for the 3-way (LPG/AC/DC) model. Mine only has #31.

[LeftToaster]

Nevermind - figured it out. You need to push the knob in to rotate past the 6 o-clock position, but it was a bit seized.

[John in Michigan]

Donald, in my Boler 17 I went through the same exercise last year of testing the RM36 fridge in LP mode after proving it worked in electric mode and actually using it in electric mode for a while.

While testing the RM36 in LP mode, I found that the LP burner wasn't getting hot enough to cool the fridge. I then cleaned the LP jet per the Dometic instructions (soak the LP jet in isopropyl alcohol) and this fixed the problem. The fridge now cools very well in LP mode.

[LeftToaster]

Originally Posted by John in Michigan

Donald, in my Boler 17 I went through the same exercise last year of testing the RM36 fridge in LP mode after proving it worked in electric mode and actually using it in electric mode for a while.

While testing the RM36 in LP mode, I found that the LP burner wasn't getting hot enough to cool the fridge. I then cleaned the LP jet per the Dometic instructions (soak the LP jet in isopropyl alcohol) and this fixed the problem. The fridge now cools very well in LP mode.

Thanks. I did this as well, and it works pretty good in both LPG and AC modes.

The problem with this unit is that the previous owner broke the igniter knob and gas selection knob off inside the fridge. As far as I can tell, I have to pretty much disassemble the entire fridge to access these items (the extender rod for the mode select switch and the entire igniter assembly).

So for now anyways, I am just going to manually select gas or electric from the back of the fridge and light the thing with a lighter.

[Borden]

We have the original options list for the boler and it shows three fridge's available. We have the cheapest option included model. Basic setup is same in back though. See you have a RM36 the vent kit sheet included in original documents shows RM36 vent kit was used for the RM382 fridge as well.

Earlton Manufacturing CO. LTD
options and accessories sheet prices effective June 20th 1978

Add for
RM35 $547.75
RM211 $431.80
RM382 included

We also have the original
Manual for
Fridge with diagrams
Wiring diagrams for Bargmand 6 and 7 circuit 12v connectors
Dometic roll out awning installation and adjustment docs for that option
Allanson Power Converter documents shows wiring diagram and that battery charging was an option.
and more
Did not know we had these found while looking for new replacement furnace docs

My wife Carole is great she saves everything.

What year is your trailer?

[John in Michigan]

Mine is a 1979 B1700 Deluxe rear gaucho, flat door.

- Fridge indicates RM360 on the door; I did not check the metal spec plate on the back.
- All cabinets are 1/2"x2" plywood strips form the frame, skin is thin plywood paneling.
- Bottom is 5/8" plywood subfloor tabbed into sides of the shell; also the bottom shell covers the entire bottom of the body below the subfloor.
- Original converter was a Powertron with 15 amp 110vac main breaker and shore power cord. Replaced the PD 4135 and 30 amp shore power inlet.

[Borden]

Originally Posted by John in Michigan

Mine is a 1979 B1700 Deluxe rear gaucho, flat door.

- Fridge indicates RM360 on the door; I did not check the metal spec plate on the back.
- All cabinets are 1/2"x2" plywood strips form the frame, skin is thin plywood paneling.
- Bottom is 5/8" plywood subfloor tabbed into sides of the shell; also the bottom shell covers the entire bottom of the body below the subfloor.
- Original converter was a Powertron with 15 amp 110vac main breaker and shore power cord. Replaced the PD 4135 and 30 amp shore power inlet.

We also have the fiberglass under plywood but the plywood is a bit thinner 1/2" tied into the walls with fiberglass, fridge difference maybe the year difference or different production location. You have strait door like one of our past neighbors. Cabinets are same construction as ours took ours out to repair them and reinstalled with new paneling and Stanley closed end marine rivets. We still have original 15amp power converter.

[LeftToaster]

Originally Posted by Borden

We have the original options list for the boler and it shows three fridge's available. We have the cheapest option included model. Basic setup is same in back though. See you have a RM36 the vent kit sheet included in original documents shows RM36 vent kit was used for the RM382 fridge as well.

Earlton Manufacturing CO. LTD
options and accessories sheet prices effective June 20th 1978

Add for
RM35 $547.75
RM211 $431.80
RM382 included

We also have the original
Manual for
Fridge with diagrams
Wiring diagrams for Bargmand 6 and 7 circuit 12v connectors
Dometic roll out awning installation and adjustment docs for that option
Allanson Power Converter documents shows wiring diagram and that battery charging was an option.
and more
Did not know we had these found while looking for new replacement furnace docs

My wife Carole is great she saves everything.

What year is your trailer?

It's a 1978 B1700 (Neonex) rear gaucho. I have basically gutted it and am in the process of converting it to a side gaucho.

The fridge is working except for the broken knobs. My plan at this point is just to operate it manually (from the rear) because it looks like I will have to disassemble most of the cooling unit and gas/electrical system to get access to the igniter (broken off inside) and mode select knob (extension rod is mangled).

[Borden]

LeftToaster add some pictures of your little baby to your profile or post them here we all like to see each others rigs. Would be great to see them. We have to upgrade some of ours as we have done a lot of work through the years.

[WhitePoint]

How / where so you manually switch the fridge on and ignite from the back?
You take the outside vent panel off?