Dreaded Ammonia smell Norcold Amish unit experience? UPDATE
So the unit arrived, my oldest son came in for Christmas so had a good helper.
First comment is that the quality is heads and shoulders better than the OEM unit.
All went mostly well. The mounting holes on the back of the new unit do not align with the original holes and they tell you that on a sticker. Would have made it easier to align the blind inside holes if it had.
It is easier to lay the unit down to test fit and adjust the fit.
I lifted it and held it at a 45 angle while the helper started the screws from the inside.
The one thing I missed was that the unit DOES NOT come with new heater rods. I got one of the old ones out but the other had bare wires showing where they go into the rod so I will have to order a new one. I watched several videos, thought I was paying attention but I never read or heard I needed to buy new ones.
I also thought it came with the new fans. Since the unit is coming back out next year I will order new ones.
I broke the igniter/thermocouple too so I couldn't test it before re-installing it. We are camping for a week Thursday through NYE so had to install it. Hopefully I can get a new igniter Friday and it will work on gas.
If not we will be camping out of coolers.
While I would not call this an easy DIY project, I would do it again.
2005 Fleetwood DP Norcold 1200 LRIM SIDE BY SIDE.
Went out to get something out of the motorhome fridge and was hit by the strong odor of ammonia. Oddly, the fridge is still cold but when I took the out side vent cover off the smell was very strong.
A few Googles got me to the Amish Replacement units for $1100.
No re mans for the 1200 of course.
Has anyone done this themselves? We were supposed to go camping after Christmas. Looking iffy.
The motorhome has a kitchen and living slide so plenty of room to pull it out.
Any advice is welcome
First comment is that the quality is heads and shoulders better than the OEM unit.
All went mostly well. The mounting holes on the back of the new unit do not align with the original holes and they tell you that on a sticker. Would have made it easier to align the blind inside holes if it had.
It is easier to lay the unit down to test fit and adjust the fit.
I lifted it and held it at a 45 angle while the helper started the screws from the inside.
The one thing I missed was that the unit DOES NOT come with new heater rods. I got one of the old ones out but the other had bare wires showing where they go into the rod so I will have to order a new one. I watched several videos, thought I was paying attention but I never read or heard I needed to buy new ones.
I also thought it came with the new fans. Since the unit is coming back out next year I will order new ones.
I broke the igniter/thermocouple too so I couldn't test it before re-installing it. We are camping for a week Thursday through NYE so had to install it. Hopefully I can get a new igniter Friday and it will work on gas.
If not we will be camping out of coolers.
While I would not call this an easy DIY project, I would do it again.
2005 Fleetwood DP Norcold 1200 LRIM SIDE BY SIDE.
Went out to get something out of the motorhome fridge and was hit by the strong odor of ammonia. Oddly, the fridge is still cold but when I took the out side vent cover off the smell was very strong.
A few Googles got me to the Amish Replacement units for $1100.
No re mans for the 1200 of course.
Has anyone done this themselves? We were supposed to go camping after Christmas. Looking iffy.
The motorhome has a kitchen and living slide so plenty of room to pull it out.
Any advice is welcome
