Forum Discussion

USMC46's avatar
USMC46
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016

Fridge -Replacing Norcold With Home Style Unit

My Norcold has failed a second time and melted the insulation around the propane burner. And that is with a new Amish cooling unit installed two years ago. So, my question is, what does it run to replace the double door Norcold with ice maker and with cherry wood front panels with a nice house style unit ? I am assuming I would have to go with a stainless or a colored unit and hope it fits with the all cherry wood interior ? Recommended places that can do a good job ? I'm in Montana. Thanks.
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  • ILVMYGT's avatar
    ILVMYGT
    Explorer
    Sep 07, 2016
    JR45 wrote:
    I have all cherry wood and had the Samsung 197 installed here. 3 door stainless, love it.
    JR
    Amazing Creations
    www.amazingcreationsrv.com
    93150 Prairie Rd, Junction City, OR 97448
    (541) 556-0501


    I will give a second thumb's up to Amazing Creations, they do nice work.
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2016
    We replaced our Nevercold with a black Samsung 197 and it blends right in with the other stainless/black in the coach. Best move we ever made and now waiting to see how much we are going to be reimbursed by Norcold for the change out.
  • bluwtr49's avatar
    bluwtr49
    Explorer II
    Sep 05, 2016
    We are replacing our Dometic with the RF18 when we return home from our summer trip and the color has been an ongoing discussion item. Our Marquis has the high gloss Cherry and all the appliances are black which leads me to favor the black fridge. My concern is that a SS one would just be too obtrusive....still mulling that over.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Sep 05, 2016
    Assuming your coach already has an inverter large enough to power your fridge and you have a couple (or more) good deep cycle house batteries there is no reason NOT to run the fridge via that inverter. The fridge uses very little power and the engine alternator will keep your batteries charged while driving. Some folks like the "belt and suspender" approach but assuming the coach is properly wired for the fridge to run from the inverter, that's all that is necessary.
  • TNGW1500SE's avatar
    TNGW1500SE
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2016
    Home Depot or Lowes Etc....

    Make sure it will go through the door. If not the windshield is an option.

    I do not run mine off the invertor. We just start generator every few hours. Fill it at home a day before leaving. The key word there is FILL. I even put the canned goods in it so it has as much "bulk" as possible. I use a remote thermostat that I watch from the dash and start gen as needed. It will last many hours. We love it! The Nevercold was junk.

    Want some ice cream?
  • Thunder_Mountai's avatar
    Thunder_Mountai
    Explorer II
    Sep 05, 2016
    USMC46 wrote:
    I am trying to understand how the home unit like the Samsung is used on the road since you are not using propane to run it while movng down the highway for several hours. Do you constantly run the generator ? Carry nothing in the fridge until you arrive at a RV park ? Maybe run it for awhile and then turn off the generator ? If so, does the food and frozen items stay at the necessary temps ? Thanks for any advice.


    Your question has been discussed extensively on this forum. We had a residential in our old MH. You can run it off the inverter, generator or not. In moderate temps less that 90 degrees on a typical 5-6 hour day, the freezer will stay well below freezing and the frig side will get up to the mid to upper forties. On really hot days in the 90s, I will use the generator part of the trip to run the frig and house air conditioners.

    In our new Journey, I just turn on the inverter and forget it.
  • Roadpilot's avatar
    Roadpilot
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2016
    You have an alternator on the engine charging the batteries and you either have or will need an inverter to convert battery to AC. Residential frigs are much more efficient then propane units. You won't have to worry about things melting unless you open the door a lot.
  • USMC46's avatar
    USMC46
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2016
    I am trying to understand how the home unit like the Samsung is used on the road since you are not using propane to run it while movng down the highway for several hours. Do you constantly run the generator ? Carry nothing in the fridge until you arrive at a RV park ? Maybe run it for awhile and then turn off the generator ? If so, does the food and frozen items stay at the necessary temps ? Thanks for any advice.
  • stickdog's avatar
    stickdog
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2016
    Measure your opening H/W/D then start looking for one that will fill that space.
    I've helped two RVers replace theirs one was a double door, hardest part was getting it in the MH had to remove the passenger seat and remove inner panel on the entry door and remove the doors on the new fridge. The second just replaced with a smaller unit and used the extra space for storage.
  • JR45's avatar
    JR45
    Explorer
    Sep 05, 2016
    I have all cherry wood and had the Samsung 197 installed here. 3 door stainless, love it.
    JR
    Amazing Creations
    www.amazingcreationsrv.com
    93150 Prairie Rd, Junction City, OR 97448
    (541) 556-0501

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