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Norcold Fridge Replacement

Yahoo Message Number: 65145
The four door Norcold 1200 in our 07 Allure has failed again! This thing has been a pain from the get go. We put a new cooling unit in it last May and yesterday it quit cooling. I've run all the tests etc. but just like before I think the plumbing in the cooling loop is blocked and obstructed.
This is 3 slide (ACD) coach, no slide in the kitchen, and I'm thinking replacement with a residential unit. We're full time and drift north and south up and down the west coast. We're in Ajo, AZ at the moment.
Looking for recomendations for a good shop, a refrigerator unit and any advice re: inverter and batteries.

Thanks,

Jim 07 Allure #31570

Re: Norcold Fridge Replacement

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65146
Hi Jim,

I just posted to a 1200 thread on RV.Net too, as I'm trying to decide what to do. We want to retain propane capability, so a bit different.
On the new cooling unit. Was it a remanufactured one from Norcold? Or, was it one of the new improved units from the Amish?
Our plan is to not do the new recall (they put in a heat sensor, that shuts down at the sign of problems, once it shuts down you are in for a new cooling unit, as from what I have read in other threads, Norcold will not sell these heat cut out ellements for repair). I've already added a cooling fan to the back of the firdge, a smoke detector and the SS-30 extinquisher. During the off season, I'm getting the Amish built cooling unit, and swapping it out. Good reports from others that have done this. Price for parts and install for non DIY, should range between $1,000 to $1,200. Less the residential fridge, and keeps the propane option for us.
Just wondering what unit you used for your first replacement. And good luck on your decision.
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: Norcold Fridge Replacement

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65147
Hi Smitty -

We replaced the original unit in May with a "Nevercold" factory new unit.
We fought with them all through the warranty period to no avail. So $2000 later here we go again.

We don't dry camp so the LP option isn't important to us.
What I've heard about the recall is it's just a simple task of replacing the existing thermal pop out with a new one. Should be a 10 min job and 2 pop rivits.

Jim

07 Allure #31570

Re: Norcold Fridge Replacement

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65149
Hi smitty

Do you have some one lined up to do the work

Thanks mike
2004 allure
31021

Re: Norcold Fridge Replacement

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65155
Got this from a blog on IRV2:

Norcold has increased their recalls. From the Norcold web site: Models 1200, 1201, 1210 and 1211

1200, 1201, 1210 and 1211, 4 door refrigerators with cooling unit serial numbers ranging from 700000 to 13085759.
These refrigerators were installed as original equipment in vehicle model years 1997 to 2010. Other recalled refrigerators may have been purchased as replacement during the same period.
If you suspect you own one of these recalled refrigerators: Immediately, turn the refrigerator off at its inside controls AND unplug it from its 110 volt source through the service vent door.
Disconnect from shore power.

Call 1-800-767-9101 for assistance to verify if your refrigerator is on recall and/or report and get information as to where you can take the vehicle to get your Norcold refrigerator professionally repaired.
These refrigerators will be repaired at no cost to you.
Norcold, Inc. cannot accept responsibility if you do not immediately arrange to take your refrigerator into a Dealer/Service Center for repair. Moreover, you could be personally liable to third parties for property damage or bodily injuries resulting from your failure to have your refrigerator immediately repaired.

see www.norcoldrecall.com
Ray

2000 Intrigue 11040

Re: Norcold Fridge Replacement

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65157

Here is an after market cooling unit built by an Amish company. They are big into these type of units as many of them do not have electricity. According to their info they have a replacement unit for the 1200 models that is superior to the original. (I don't think it would take much..)

http://www.rvcoolingunit.net/servlet/StoreFront
Dave

aka Billy Byte (trusty hound)
2000 Allure #30443

Re: Norcold Fridge Replacement

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65166
Hi Mike,

From what I've read by others that have done this, I think I'll trade my BIL a nice BBQ steak for a few hours of help. It's suppose to be straight forward replacement, once the fridge is pulled out. I'll use furniture moving pads to lay it down on. While out, I'll add another 12V fan on the top end, either thermo controlled, or perhpas a small on/off toggle switch drilled into the front wood above the refrigerator. I want to pemanently mount the SS-30 extinquisher, it's gorilla taped to the back of the fridge now. I also am doing the research for the WiFi antenna and inside repeater. One plan is to run the cable down from the omni antenna mounted near the fridge vent, and feed the cable down to save one roof penetration, so may do that then too.
I understand that the work is not too hard to do these swap outs, so I would expect any competent repair shop, or perhaps mobile tech, shold be able to do this in the two hour cost range window.

Best,
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: Norcold Fridge Replacement

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65168
On our '06 Allure we replaced the 1200 with a Samsung res unit, 21 cu ft and love it. I've posted previously about it and the work was done by Oregon Motor Coach Center in Eugene.
Although not mandatory for this fridge we elected to upgrade the inverter to a PSW (went with a Magnum 2800) and upgraded to 4x8D AGM's so that we could easily go 24 hrs without shore or genny power and still keep the fridge running.
When our 1200 failed it was an ammonia leak in the cooling unit and when the old one was removed you could see that the failure point was near the combustion chamber and had actually melted some of the coach's insulation.

Re: Norcold Fridge Replacement

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65169
Thank you, do you remember the model number of the Samsung unit?
I think we'll just connect it to the Main side of the AC as we don't boondock and run the gen set if we have a long drive.

Jim

07 Allure #31570

Re: Norcold Fridge Replacement

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65179
Smitty, I suggest that you replace the water supply line to the ice maker as well. If it hasn't failed yet is soon will.

Good luck

George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: Norcold Fridge Replacement

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65180
Good luck on a two hour change out. It will take two tech's over a hour to just remove the old cooling unit and clean up to box to accept the new cooling unit even if you have removed the frig from its cabinet. The Amish unit comes without all the other stuff necessary to run the frig. Control box, propane burner including valve, ice maker and all the plumbing including the water valve and valve heater, 120 vac heater elements, (be sure to get the newer type), fans, wirings, etc has to removed from the old cooling unit and attached to the new unit. Of course all that has to be hooked up correctly. You are looking at 4, 5 or more hours including reinstalling the frig in the cabinet hooking up everything to make sure it works properly. Email me off group and I will send you a couple of pictures.

Chuck B

Re: Norcold Fridge Replacement

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 65188
Thanks Chuck, may need to buy by BIL breakfast too!!! I was going off of postings I had read on other sites, so your real world timing is better for those who are pricing it out to be done for them.
When we do our's over the holidays ahead, I'll ping your for any info and lessons learend you can share.
Best,
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!)