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Norcold fridge


marklazo

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We have a 2006 Camelot with the original fridge. It has worked flawlessly for all these years. Last night it seams it has finally died.  Looking for opinions on a replacement. I would like a residential, but I really don’t Know if it’s worth the extra expense if I don’t install more batteries, solar and another inverter. I haven’t had it checked out yet to see if it just needs a minor repair or not. Just preparing for the worst. Anyone here replace their original fridge with a newer version Norcold?

 

Mark and Patti Lazowsky 06 Camelot

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If you install a Haier Fridge such as a model 15 cu/ft you won't have to do any modifications to the enclosure that I know of or you could install a Fisher-Paykel which is larger and more expensive but again no modifications that I know of. Plus you would NOT have to change out your inverter or add more batteries, etc. unless you are mostly a boondocker. I installed a Samsung RF-197 back in 2012 and didn't have to do anything other than increase the height of the old NotSoCold opening.

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21 hours ago, marklazo said:

BennieH, Do you have info on where you purchased? I googled it and came up with multiple ones.

Marklazo, I had it installed at JC Refrigeration (they’re the manufacturer) in Shipshewana, IN. Took them 3 hours and that includes fully testing it.

You can also just get the replacement from him.

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After 4 (! 😠 !) failures of our Notcold 1200  in 2 years (first 3 were under warranty, the last was gonna be my $4,000!), we finally moved up to a 19cuft Samsung res for the '06 Endeavor PAQ we had at the time.   I can't say how much of an improvement it was, there's no comparison.  Cooldown in an hour, lots of cold ice, way more storage, and on and on.

I understand the Amish/JC conversions are pretty much a plug-and-play, but be sure to look at the other options out there.

Depending on your floorplan, a res-frig could be a real simple job or it could take some work to make it fit.  Maybe even looking at different models to get it in.  I never had an issue with the Samsung getting 'warm' at rest-stops or even overnite-boondocking, if you do a reasonable job of keeping the door closed.  Mine happened to work well with the OEM MSW inverter too, but some don't like them.  If you do a LOT of boondocking, more batteries might be needed.

Consider that your Notcold technology is now 14+ years old, has less insulation and usable space, door seals can't be replaced, etc, etc.  And don't forget the real issue of a possible fire (not a joke, check it out online) - the wood panel had turned to charcoal next the the flue on mine.

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My Norcold failed, probably on the verge of fire since there was the yellow dust dispersed around the lower unit.  It never really worked great anyway.

I had to go to extremes to install a Samsung RF18 in my Windsor.  I have the furnace under the Norcold, I had to completely remove and drop it to the floor to gain the 1 5/8" to get enough headroom, which required relocating the exhaust and intake for the furnace. 

But after I was done the fridge cooled down in 2 hours and had substantially more room.   I did do some testing and it ran 8 hours before having to recharge batteries.  I do have 325 watt of solar so that helps.  Either way we usually have to run the generator to keep the dogs cool anyway. 

 

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  • 2 months later...

If your Norcold has adequate capacity then I would consider the compressor-type cooling unit from JC Refrigeration.  It gives you all the advantages of a residential unit without the hassle of making one fit the space!  JMHO

Joe

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