2001 T4 California RC 1140-1 Fridge

[Trail Planner]

The Dometic RC 1140-1 Fridge on my 2001 California Event has died :-(

I'll post the full story of my attempts to find a new one, but in the meantime, does anyone have any experience of fitting the Vitrifrigio TL43 as a replacement?

The size is right, except the TL43 is 20mm taller, which should be compensated for by the thinner lid, or a bit fo carpentery.

It is clear it will not integrate with the control panel, but can be operated independently, as long as it has a 12V supply. It even has silent night mode

My options so far:

1) repair the current one, which means fitting a new internal coolant array inside of the fridge (like the RC 1140 earlier model)
2) source a new one
3) fit a TL43
4) fit another type of fridge in the cupboard (absolutely the last resource)

or, is it even conceivable to fit a T5/T6 Cali fridge? I would think the control unit integration would be a stumbling block.

Any help would be most welcome.

When I get it resolved, I may have a compressor, and control unit (which is the part that usually fails).

 

[sidepod]

I’d just take the old out and drop it off at Penguin. They’ll repair it. Seems the best easiest option to me without seeing any photos.

 

[Trail Planner]

They looked at it, controller, compressor all ok, the internal array is corroded beyond repair. They are a great team and have been very helpful. What they did offer is to place a new array inside the fridge, like the older RC 1140 in earlier T4 California (1990s or thereabouts).

 

[sidepod]

If that allows you to keep the original unit and it’s as good as it was then I’d do that.

 

[Trail Planner]

Not exactly original in the sense that a new evaporator board is installed inside the coolbox, and not integrated within its walls. This is the difference between the RC 1140 and the RC 1140-1.
Nevertheless this may be the way to go.