Norcold, Just got the bad news

On my drivers side window you use a drill and remove the screws and press the window out. It is not that big of a deal! We had our refer installed through that window without removing any seats and using a forklift and a couple bodies it went right in and that IS the truth. I saw it happen.

Just went through the same thing. New cooling unit was around $1800, the Amish model was around $1400. Since we have a class A with inverter and batteries we decided on a residential refrig ($1,300). Very little cabinet modifications were required, and no more worries about the Norcold 1200 and fire hazards.

Good luck....

conmoto wrote:
There is a bunch of misinformation in this thread. You do not need a new inverter and more batteries to run a residential fridge if you install a Samsung 197. Taking out the drivers window takes all of 10 minutes and the fridge slides in that window easy. We have had ours 2 years and it is just not the big hassle everyone is trying to make it.Do some research and follow those that have installed this unit and you will be surprised at how happy most are.

Well, as someone who HAS removed refers in motorhomes,(not to install a residential), it does NOT take 10 minutes to remove ANY window. You also have to remove the drivers seat on almost all front entry door Diesels as well as the pass seat to prevent damaging them. Most of the time you remove a Dinnette or sofa window as some of those are large enough to get a refer out and in. There are a LOT of Diesels that you cannot get out ANY window and the Windshield is pulled and reinstalled. One TRUTH you posted is yes, the standard 1500 watt(even a 1000 watt) Inverter and larger with a 2 or 4 battery bank will be more than enough to run a residential. IF you Boondock a lot, then 6- 6 volt batteries is best. Residential's do NOT run all the time, and since they cool faster, their run time is very minimal. Doug

Residential. Scrap the inferior rv fridge for a real one.

conmoto wrote:
There is a bunch of misinformation in this thread. You do not need a new inverter and more batteries to run a residential fridge if you install a Samsung 197. Taking out the drivers window takes all of 10 minutes and the fridge slides in that window easy. We have had ours 2 years and it is just not the big hassle everyone is trying to make it.Do some research and follow those that have installed this unit and you will be surprised at how happy most are.

That's for sure. It takes a lot longer than 10 minutes to take the window on my rig. Also the Samsung 197 will not fit in mine.

conmoto wrote:
There is a bunch of misinformation in this thread. You do not need a new inverter and more batteries to run a residential fridge if you install a Samsung 197. Taking out the drivers window takes all of 10 minutes and the fridge slides in that window easy. We have had ours 2 years and it is just not the big hassle everyone is trying to make it.Do some research and follow those that have installed this unit and you will be surprised at how happy most are.

I fail to see the mis-information you reference. Who on earth represented a residential fridge as a big hassle? Reading comprehension man!

we did the Shipshewana thing with JC regrigeration which is a cousin, I think, to the guy who makes the cooling units. they started at 5am and was done at 2. Laying the old norcold cooling unit side by side to the amish one was an eye-opener. half again heavier and more cooling fins etc. I would have liked to do the residential frig but was 2 inches too short to get it into the space. there was a ton of wiring , fuses etc below the frig in my journey that looked like a real an of worms to tear into. we have be very happy with the amish unit. If you need a phone number pm me good luck tom ps I think my total cost including labor was $1200 on the double door unit

I installed a 23.5 cu.ft Samsung counter depth residential and the old norcold and the new refer went in and out the entry door after removing the refer doors. Did not have to remove any widows. The nice thing about Samsung is they will run just fine on a modified sine wave inverter, as soon as the 120 volts goes into the refer it is converted to a D.C. voltage and the whole unit runs on direct current compressor and all. With 4 Trojans as house batteries I only need to run the generator about an hour in the morning and evening when dry camping. They will charge off the alternator while driving during the day but still run the gen. before retiring as we generally use the microwave and watch some TV anyway. Steady minus 8 in the frezzer and 34 in the refer regardless of outside temp. Best upgrade ever and no more worries about fires!
By the way I will sell my old Norcold 1200 lrim cheap as it still worked upon removal 1.5 yrs ago, I live abuot 5 hrs. drive from you, Pm me if interested.
Blessings; kdk

There is a bunch of misinformation in this thread. You do not need a new inverter and more batteries to run a residential fridge if you install a Samsung 197. Taking out the drivers window takes all of 10 minutes and the fridge slides in that window easy. We have had ours 2 years and it is just not the big hassle everyone is trying to make it.Do some research and follow those that have installed this unit and you will be surprised at how happy most are.

mchero wrote:
The right residential fridg might be the ticket!
Keep us posted on your quest please!

X-2, Good Luck, Dave and keep us posted!