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Refrig Cooling Unit

Yahoo Message Number: 102135
I know this is an old topic, but I would like to see if anything is new. Our original Norcold unit finally failed. We would prefer to keep the inside unit and just replace the cooling unit instead of a total replacement or going with a household unit. (We are casual, periodic travels.) I would appreciate any input on this as to what unit to go with, any recommended places in Mississippi or Florida for the repair, and for an estimate of the cost.

Thanks for any information,
Hodge Phillips
2005 Inspire

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102136
You can usually put a residential refer in for about the same as a new  cooling unit in the NoCold

Mikee

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102140
many people buy the Amish Cooling unit from Pines RV Refrigeration in Shipshewana IN.
Dutch Aire RV Cooling Units

My brother in law who has a Foretravel had the cooling unit shipped to a local RV shop who installed it. We use Alliance Coach in Wildwood Florida for a lot of our service.  You could also check with Fountain RV in Lakeland to see if they would change the cooling unit.

Lonny & Diane Livingston
'04 Allure #31065

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102141
I checked my records and the update using the Pines unit cost me about $1750.00.  I ordered with all the extra options included.  It really has been a big improvement over the original allowing me to keep hard ice cream in the freezer section.  But a note if you are going to be in a location where the ambient temp is above 100 degrees  continually.  Some times it takes longer to get the initial cool down after pulling the unit out of storage and you'll  fill the refer to soon.  At the recommendation of the installer I added a 6 inch electric fan behind the Norcold and the unit will now maintain 32 degrees in the refer and 2 degrees in the freezer with a day time temp of 105 degrees and a night time temp of 90 with a setting of 6 on the reed out.    I haven't been back to Phoenix or Las Vegas and the 115+ temps but I am confident things will now work perfectly.  I paid $14.00 for the fan and with some cable ties to
secure the fan all has been well the last two months. 

TWI 2004 Intrigue.
11731

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102143
Hi Hodge,

I replaced my Norcold with a Samsung a few years ago and made a few notes regarding the install that might interest you. If you decided to go with the Samsung I am sure you would not regret it. I did the install myself and it cost me a total of about $1,200. The Samsung is about 50% larger and has separate controls for freezer and fridge and a real defrost!

Samsung Refrigerator Install

Barney
07 Inspire 52059

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102145
We had to do the same repair last winter in Florida. Went with new cooling unit after considering all the costs of residential replacement including window or windshield removal and reinstall, more batteries/bigger inverter, interior space cutout changes to fit new frig., etc. North Trail RV Repair in Fort Myers, FL did a great job, and got it done quickly and professionally. We like having dry camping refrigeration, and are carrying propane already for the stove. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102146
The cooling unit in my Norcold Model 1201 did not work when I bought my 2006 Inspire. I intended to have the unit replaced, but the guy told me the box was waterlogged (?) and would have to be replaced as well. He installed a used Model 1210 with a new factory coil for $2000, about twice the cost of just the cooling unit. The work was done here in north Alabama, near Huntsville. Let me know if you need contact info.

John

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102150
I also went with the Samsung did not have to but I changed out the inverter to a Magnum 2812 PSW  and new control board. The frig cost $1000 and the install cost was $750 along with the inverter install by Kustom Coach Works  Junction City, Or This is not my install but it looks the same.
Floyd  2006 Inspire 51744

Samsung Refrigerator Install

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102154
Hodge

We replaced the cooling unit when ours went out because we wanted to retain the ability to operate the unit on propane. We have had no issues with the new unit going on 18 months.
 We also got a price on an residential unit and it was considerably more primarily due the cabinet work that would be required. I don't remember the actual dollar numbers as the replacement was covered by the extended warranty.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348 C-9

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102156
I am also in the same situation of needing a fridge replacement.  Would great appreciate you updating the group on what you find and decide upon.

Don St. Croix
Canton, Ga

1997 Intrigue 10437

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102157
Nash RV located on Athens, GA has put 2 refrigerators in coaches for me. Excellent job. Phone # 706-543-8410. Actually does ALL maintenance on coach.
07 Tribute
81068

Donna

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102158
There seems to be some miss information going around that when you switch to a Samsung that you must replace the inverter and add batteries. This is not the case as I have been running ours for three plus year without doing this and it works just fine.

Gary C

2006 Inspire #5153

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102159
I too am running the Samsung RF-18 with the original MSW inverter and original battery configuration without any issues RJ

2005 inspire #51264

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102160
Also our unit fit through the door and no widows had to be removed. Did remove the passenger seat to make it a little easier.

Gary C

2006 inspire #51537

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102161
It is NOT a problem to remove windows in our coaches. Usually quicker and easier than taking out the passenger chair.
D Jean
CC81072
 

Re: Refrig Cooling Unit

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102162
If you have an RV refrigerator  they will fit through the door with as you said the passenger seat removed  BUT  if you have a total electric motor home with one of those big house type refrigerator, you might as well plan on going through the passenger side wind shield. Unless you just want a new refer, I would try the repair route first. There are not that many things to go wrong with an electric refer, so you have a large hole that the freon is leaking through you can save yourself a lot of grief. Don't know how old of a refer we are talking about, but even if as got the R12 in it, that can be replaced by Hot Shot. If you are Hell Bent on replacing the refer, plan on hiring a small wrecker wit an extendable boom. He can set it half the length of your coach.