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Amish Cooling Unit

Yahoo Message Number: 81194
I looked at several options to combat the Norcold fire scare, for me and the misses, we made the decision not to cut the coach and to keep our propane option, So a couple of days ago I installed the Amish Cooling Unit, this unit is by far more effecient than Norcold and it oozes quality. Very easy to install but time consuming, works great and I averted a possible problem due to the old unit had burned insulation on the heat tube and the interior wall of the fridge compartment shows signs of overheat. Yea no more recalls, and I can sleep better.

Jerry

2004 Inspire 51012

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81195
X's 2! We wanted to retain the propane option too. I had kept the SS-30 extinquisher inside the fridge cabinet. Installed a dedicated smoke detector inside teh fidge cabinet. Added a second pancake fan that I can turn on for extra cooling in real hot areas. Then topped it off with a vent roof solar fan combo too:)! Perhaps overkill, but we sleep well at night...
Concur the quality of the Amish unit is the way Norcold should have responded with a their own recall. May cost them a bundle, but the bad PR from the messed up multiple recalls - has cost them much, much more. And more important then $$ - it would have been the right way to respond to such a safety related item...
We find the unit cools fridge very well, and much lower settings then with the OEM cooling unit.

Be safe, have fun,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81196
I just had a Samsung installed in my 2004 inspire # 51010 just two units before yours. I too had burned insulation on the heat tubs and the same overheating signs you saw.

Walt

2004 Inspire 51010

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81197
Jerry - We too went the Pines RV Refrigeration route. Our experience with the replacement is here: http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=68#Post68 18 months later all is well and working fine. I've also been experimenting with running the Norcold off the invertor. Initial testing has been successful. I'll post an article when I'm comfortable with all the details.

At 04:01 PM 7/27/2012, you wrote:

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81205
Scot It makes no sense to run the propane fridge off the inverter. All the inverter does is take the same source-your house batteries- convert it to 110. You have the efficiency loss of the inverter added to the load on the battery. It should only be at the 110 setting when you are plugged in or have the generator running.

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81206
Ron

It makes sense to some. if you have ever seen Mac the Fire guy's presentation on coach fires, He recommends traveling with the propane turned off at the tank for safety in the event of an accident or tire failure affecting the gas lines.
Also SOME of the problematic (Norcold and Dometic) refers work better on 110 than propane.
I now have a GE residential refer running on shore or inverter all the time, no propane option.

Bob Wexler

SOB one size does not fit all

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81208
Ron,

Actually it makes a lot of sense since we don't use the propane feature. For traveling our invertor supplies the required sine wave AC needed to run the heaters. We also have a good solar system installed which easily covers the refrigerator during the day while we travel. Why burn propane if it isn't needed?? Better mobile power options exist. I'm also evaluating the invertor option for boondocking. Most of the time we are hooked up to 50A but I like other power options that can be employed when they make sense.

At 09:06 AM 7/28/2012, you wrote:

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81209
Bob - Thanks for thinking heads up. Propane is a bad scene when driving down the road @ 60+ MPH. And as you so rightly point out, your propane should be shut off at the tank when traveling. This is safety 101 in my book. That leaves the Norcold with only an AC power option. I did my first 6.5 hour test coming from Utah to Colorado and everything worked out fine. Testing will continue and I'll write this up when I have complete data. It's an option for some, perhaps. And sensible safe options benefit us all.

At 09:26 AM 7/28/2012, you wrote:

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81211
In my original post concerning the propane option, I wanted to keep it only incase I needed it, I never travel with my propane tank open. The liability factor in an accident with propane open is too much for me.not gonna do it...

Jerry

2004 Inspire 51012

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81213
If there is that much concern for fire and power consumption etc, I would suggest , for all the reasons already listed on this board, to convert to the Samsung electric fridge. More Cu Ft, less power consumption , safer etc. You basically made your own case for same. I had coaches with propane fridges for years, without problems. Admittedly the new fridges from Norcold are of poorer quality, thus leading to the problems stated. We never had inverters in our early coaches, so if you wanted cold food , you had to run the propane all the time, even down the road. Each person has to evaluate their level of risk. If fires and collisions are such a problem, then it makes no sense to have propane at all. Especially if one has all the roof panels. The propane fridges are notoriously inefficient.

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025--all electric coach

Propane - - Liability?

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81214
Jerry,

I have not heard of regulations that mandate closing propane valves while traveling, except tunnels. Is that a state issue where you live?

Jay

05 Inspire

Re: Propane - - Liability?

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81215
Jay

It is not a regulation or a mandate, it is a personal choice.
Some choose to err on the side of safety, others enjoy Las Vegas.

Bob Wexler
SOB

Re: Propane - - Liability?

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81218
As far as I know nothing requires the propane tank to be turned off , I chose to close mine, for my own liability purposes, personal choice

Jerry

2004 Inspire 51012

Re: Propane - - Liability?

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81226
As with most questions now, all it takes is a google search. At least in 2007, Woodalls ran an article about road safety laws for various places. For example, New Jersey does not allow open propane tanks while driving highways. Many states do not allow open tanks in tunnels. And, of course it would be against any state's laws to have an open propane tank with an appliance lit/running while at a service station pump. And some things should be common sense.
s/Terry Apple, advocate of residential refrigerators--2004 40-foot Allure 31001 destroyed by refrigerator fire.

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81227
What is the Amish Cooling Unit? Is it a whole new refrigerator, or just a part that fits in the Norcold?

Clint Frederick
2004 Inspire 51038

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81231
Clint,

There is a company called Pines RV Refrigeration (Allegedly run by Amish in Indiana) that makes after market gas absorption cooling units. These are direct replacements for the cheap junk Norcold has inflicted on innocent customers. A cooling unit isn't a complete refrigerator just the piping, fins, coils, boiler, cold pack and chemistry required to provide a refrigeration cycle using heat. I purchased one about 18 months ago (~ $1000.00 delivered) to replace the OEM cooling unit in my Norcold 1200 LRIM. The company's web site is here: http://rvcoolingunit.com/ They have photos and such if you wanted to take a look. People that have used their products (including me) have been very pleased with the performance and quality.
My repair is chronicled here: http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=68#Post68 if there is additional interest.

At 01:00 AM 7/29/2012, you wrote:
 

Re: Amish Cooling Unit

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 81252
We run the Norcold on the inverter all the time while driving. However, when dry camping we do not as it draws over 40 amps at the 12v level.

Dave

aka Billy Byte (trusty hound)
2000 Allure #30443