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Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2012 09:59:55 -0700 To: "Jay Williams"
From: Scott

Subject: RE: FW: [Country-Coach-Owners] Norcold Cooling Unit Replacement - Florida
Jay - Your inclinations on replacing parts are well founded. Salt mist is hugely corrosive and you are wise to consider its degrading effects on parts. There's some wisdom in being prepared ahead of time. My frig's interior light isn't working properly. It comes on but won't go off meaning the "door open" alarm sounds. I've taped the switches closed. I too suspect a bad control board or connector. The 16 pin header connector I refer to requires removing the control board's cover to access it. Too many other projects ahead of this one right now. If your on/off problem gets resolved by cleaning the connector, I can pursue my light problem with renewed enthusiasm. If that's the correct word. Please keep me informed. I like to learn.
I'll keep documenting my experiences, solutions and lessons learned as we go down the road. For us, finding out the quality we expected wasn't there was indeed a tough pill to swallow. For me that placed a burr in my saddle. One which has motivated a rethink of many things and a closer look "inside". In some ways we became victims of circumstances but that's life. You land on your can sometimes but need to find the strength to get back up, brush off and keep moving forward. The old schoolers know this experience well. Norcold, for example, dealt its customer base a tough blow. But RV people are resourceful and have found solutions. In the spirit of that community many are willing to share the knowledge they have gained. After market businesses crop up (like Pines RV Refrigeration) in response to short comings. I'm sure they read this news group too. It helps us all in the final analysis. Better products, trouble free operation, improved safety and affordable costs are what we seek. I have my thoughts on how best to get there. Either you see it or you don't. Again, good luck with your replacement and keep me informed. Travel safely!

At 06:14 AM 9/21/2012, you wrote:

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Thanks Scott.

I?m going to be ?hawking? the tech as the refurbishment is done, and I?ll query every questionable part in the assembly. Sadly, since I live on a barrier island, there is a fair amount of corrosion back there. I?m tempted to buy all the potentially bad parts and return those I don?t need. I don?t want to get stranded in some out-of the way place, awaiting a widget.
I need to examine my control board. One glitch I have is an inability to turn the fridge off with the button. I have to pull the dc breaker. It turns on just fine. Maybe a little corrosion on the board or a loose connection.

I?ll let you know how it goes.

I still value highly your input to this group. Your descriptions go over the heads of many members, but those are the ones who really ask some elementary questions. They make me wonder how they find their slippers in the morning.

Be safe. Thanks again.
Jay

From: Scott [ mailto:scott@...] Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 10:38 PM To: Jay Williams

Subject: Re: FW: [Country-Coach-Owners] Norcold Cooling Unit Replacement - Florida
Jay - I sprayed both my cartridge heaters with WD40 and they came out of the old cooling unit fine. Neither one was damaged and I used them over again. Both my fans were also fine. Same for all the burner parts. We have never used the propane feature. I wouldn't call any of these parts consumables anymore than the alternator in your car. They are simply parts which if designed properly should last a long time. Except for the fans, all the parts are accessible from the exterior service access panel. At least on my bus. As for replacing parts, it never hurts if one suspects they are near their failure point. That to include the control board which is about $250. I have the original CB.
The Pines RV Refrigeration cooling unit runs much cooler than Norcold's junk. Dave may have mentioned that fans are optional. So I was told when I broached the subject. As for BTUs, more area has been provided (dual absorber coils) to reject heat. That means a cooler surface but at an increased area. A smart design improvement IMHO. But the need to remove hot air is still a factor. Blowing fans on just the absorber coil (Norcold's idea) is sort of lame in a way. I'm working on an insert to be installed under the roof vent to force a flow of air through the entire rear compartment. A filter should also be put in the intake vent to prevent crap contained in the outdoor air from collecting on the components. Rain needs to be dealt with too. I'd also like to mount a remote temperature sensor on the absorber to monitor it. As of late, I'm running the dual fans until I can effect improvements. Muffin and Rotron (some years ago) made good 4" ventilating fans with ball bearings. They are better than cheap sleeve bearing fans but more expensive. When you pay Norcold $3,800 for a refrigerator why expect good parts?
My advice....... If you don't mind spending the bread, replace what seems appropriate. Always glad to help out. Good luck with your replacement.

At 01:16 PM 9/20/2012, you wrote:

Hi Scott,

Well, the cooling unit is ordered, and I am now in the search for a good shop to do the install. I have found one, but I?d like to find something closer. Maybe so, maybe no.

I received this advice from a gent in Washington State:
A couple of things I recommend while doing this change out. Replace the consumables, the burner/orifice, fans, fan switch, AC heating elements (2) and the spark/sense lead . My reason is simple, you?re already there (or the tech your paying) and have to touch these or remove & re-install them, so it?s a good time to replace them. Sometimes you have no choice, such as the heating elements so rusted in that getting them out destroys them, fans not working or so loaded with gunk they work but for how much longer? The burner, well I?ve seen these still working but so distorted it?s surprising.
Did you do any of this? What did your ?consumables? look like?
A long chat this morning with David from rvcoolingunit.com was very helpful.

Thanks again for your thoughts and advice.

Jay

From: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com [ mailto:Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 2:06 PM To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Norcold Cooling Unit Replacement - Florida

Jay - Good idea to be proactive. All the knowledge I've been able to collect is here: http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=68#Post68 It is a DIY project but I'd say first time through it's difficult. If you have an ice maker make sure to inspect the water line and connection while you have access to the back of the frig. Also inspect the drain pan hose which runs through the cold pack. Looking back, I wish I had replaced the two fans with ball bearing ones. Per usual, keep an eye on the replacement and make sure the craftsmanship is there. Examine wiring too. Good luck.

At 06:49 AM 9/19/2012, you wrote:

Greetings campers,

Based on thorough discussion in this forum and some personal advice on the side (thanks Phil!), I have decided to proactively jettison my perfectly functioning Norcold 1200 cooling unit and replace it with the Pines RV unit.

We enjoy dry camping.

While I?d love to zip up to Shipshewana and have the factory install the unit, in the short- to mid-term, that is not feasible. They say it is a DIY project, but I?d like to (a) not jeopardize my marriage and (b) get it done in my lifetime. Therefore I?ll ?outsource? this one.
Has anyone used a Florida RV service center to make this replacement? Were you happy with (a) the technical aspect, (b) the time required and (c) the price? Calling around the JAX area has only gotten me ?No, we?ve never done one so we cannot tell you how much it will cost? or ?What?s a Pines??.

I?d appreciate anyone?s opinion.

Jay in St Augustine
05 Inspire
Best - Scott

2006 Allure 430 40' #31349

(Bus-Stead Lemon) My Allure Page http://www.muniac.com/Allure%20Page.html

Best - Scott

2006 Allure 430 40' #31349

(Bus-Stead Lemon) My Allure Page http://www.muniac.com/Allure%20Page.html