I have a 2001 National Tradewinds and my dometic fridge has just had it's 2nd cooling unit quit. 6 Years ago I paid $1200.00 to have it changed out, now I'm being told that it will cost me a little over $3,000.00. So my question to you all is do I do it or do I have a residential fridge installed instead.Now if I do a residential fridge has anyone on here done that and what was the cost? My fridge is a Dometic NDR 1292, it's a side-by-side. For those who have switched over, can you tell me the cost and where a good place that has the experience to get it done. I live in Southern Utah.

I replaced my Norcolds cooling unit a few years back and would go that route again. Amish made unit works better than OEMThey have a compressor based version now. Mine is a four door and a window would have to be removed which I was loathe to do.

we used a Samsung rf18 fridge size about the same as yours fit thru my door. installed my self not hard bought a inverter to. works great spent about 1500 for everything.if your going to have someone install it add another 1000-1500 to do it.best thing I ever did to my motorhome

still nursing mine along. Once the solar and batteries are upgraded I'm going with anything that has a high efficiency compressor. Will have over 5kWh battery power so one of the new high efficiency options won't really cost anything to run. I'm out west so sun is rarely an issue for more than a day or two likely enough battery power to cover around 4-6 days of marginal or no sun w/o needing the generator. If i can fit a residential into the kitchen I will otherwise I'll go with the Amish high efficiency compressor upgrades. Watched a video and as long as you can, DIY retrofit is nit too fiddly.

theres a couple places in Indiana that rebuild units MUCH CHEAPER than 3k.but I can,t find there number, somebody will chime in with the info.

I replaced my Norcold a year ago. I have a 2003 Fleetwood Providence. I got a residential Samsung 2 door, 2 draw freezer at Lowe's for $800.00.It had a scratch on the side. Lucky the Unit fit thru my side window with no problem. It also fit were the Norfolk was. Had to loose a small draw. Had it put in when in Yuma. They charge me $890.00 to install.DW loves it, and I love my ice cream.

Replacement Fridge or New Cooling Unit | Good Sam Community

Scottiemom
Nomad
Jul 31, 2019
We still have our NOrcold and it still is doing the job. About 4-5 years ago, we went to Leon Hershberger in Shipshewana. He owns National Refrigeration

He is a young Amish man and he has his own system which is different from the one known as the "Amish cooling unit." He will tell you how his is different and why it is better. We haven't had any problems since he put his cooling unit in our Norcold for $900. We had an extended warranty, so it cost us $500.

He is a very knowledgeable young man and has fixed our A/C's as well. Wouldn't go anywhere else for those two things.

Dale
Branson_N_Tucso
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2019
Sgt Joe. When they put it in they braced it from the back of Unit. If needed to be removed, just have to remove the out side vent cover to get to braces.
Executive45
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2019
My 1200 failed once. Had the Amish unit installed. It failed a year later. Removed the 1200 and it went to the dump. Installed the Samsung and couldn't be happier. Best mod done to the coach. Did it myself at a campground in Gulf Shores. Took me two days with the tools I had. Would have been shorter if I had the right tools. Below is a link with pictures and narrative.....Dennis

Samsung Fridge Install
kmb1966
Explorer
Jul 31, 2019
vegasfoodguy wrote:
kmb1966 wrote:
ScottG wrote:
My new Norcold is an absolute pile of junk and I'll probably be installing an Amish cooling unit or a compressor conversion kit from JC Cooling in it eventually.
If your going to stay with an absorbtion type fridge, you'd be much better off getting a good cooling unit for your existing fridge rather than a whole new fridge.

I too have the new Amish Cooling unit in my Norcold. BUT GUESS WHAT? IT DOESN'T COOL REASONABLE EITHER! JC Refrigeration blames the installer, and the installer blames JC Refrigeration and you get no where with either. Right now my unit is ON with the new Amish cooling unit, and it is 10 degrees in the freezer and 42 in the refrigerator. Ice cream does NOT get frozen hard, and if you open the door twice, it's now 45 degrees in the refrigerator and takes many hours to get to 42. AND 42 IS NOT THAT SAFE!
My plan is to get a residential unit and spend the $ and call it DONE. I am tired of playing the Norcold Amish games while they take my money and make up reasons to blame each other.

Try putting your ice cream in the icemaker side. I have the Amish
cooling unit, 2 weeks ago i was in vegas, 106 outside, 33 in the frig
0 in the freezer. With ice cream in ice maker side, was too hard to scoop. I like dry camping too much to give up propane. Also those of you complaining about not cold, are both fans working?

Terry.

Yes, I am using the icemaker side for ice cream. that side is the coldest. Both fans are operating. unit is level. tried many types of thermometers to make sure I am getting accurate readings.
Takes 4 days to freeze ice cubes in an ice tray. It's ridiculous
vegasfoodguy
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2019
kmb1966 wrote:
ScottG wrote:
My new Norcold is an absolute pile of junk and I'll probably be installing an Amish cooling unit or a compressor conversion kit from JC Cooling in it eventually.
If your going to stay with an absorbtion type fridge, you'd be much better off getting a good cooling unit for your existing fridge rather than a whole new fridge.

I too have the new Amish Cooling unit in my Norcold. BUT GUESS WHAT? IT DOESN'T COOL REASONABLE EITHER! JC Refrigeration blames the installer, and the installer blames JC Refrigeration and you get no where with either. Right now my unit is ON with the new Amish cooling unit, and it is 10 degrees in the freezer and 42 in the refrigerator. Ice cream does NOT get frozen hard, and if you open the door twice, it's now 45 degrees in the refrigerator and takes many hours to get to 42. AND 42 IS NOT THAT SAFE!
My plan is to get a residential unit and spend the $ and call it DONE. I am tired of playing the Norcold Amish games while they take my money and make up reasons to blame each other.

Try putting your ice cream in the icemaker side. I have the Amish
cooling unit, 2 weeks ago i was in vegas, 106 outside, 33 in the frig
0 in the freezer. With ice cream in ice maker side, was too hard to scoop. I like dry camping too much to give up propane. Also those of you complaining about not cold, are both fans working?

Terry.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2019
Duct tape and a prayer....lol
Edd505
Explorer
Jul 31, 2019
https://maliasmiles.com/amish-cooling-units/
Norcold works with sealing the unit outside. I have the Norcold 2118 and the trick is to insure the center flap on the left door closes. I had to adjust the kinge and raise the door slightly, then silicone lube the contact points. Coldest spot is the left rear bottom shelf and yes it keeps ice cream on #5
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 31, 2019
kmb1966 wrote:
ScottG wrote:
My new Norcold is an absolute pile of junk and I'll probably be installing an Amish cooling unit or a compressor conversion kit from JC Cooling in it eventually.
If your going to stay with an absorbtion type fridge, you'd be much better off getting a good cooling unit for your existing fridge rather than a whole new fridge.

I too have the new Amish Cooling unit in my Norcold. BUT GUESS WHAT? IT DOESN'T COOL REASONABLE EITHER! JC Refrigeration blames the installer, and the installer blames JC Refrigeration and you get no where with either. Right now my unit is ON with the new Amish cooling unit, and it is 10 degrees in the freezer and 42 in the refrigerator. Ice cream does NOT get frozen hard, and if you open the door twice, it's now 45 degrees in the refrigerator and takes many hours to get to 42. AND 42 IS NOT THAT SAFE!
My plan is to get a residential unit and spend the $ and call it DONE. I am tired of playing the Norcold Amish games while they take my money and make up reasons to blame each other.

Thanks for your post!!
That's it for me then. I'm not going to throw good money into this POS if even a co. like them can't make them work.

Scott
SGTJOE
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2019
Okay folks, for those of you who went residential how did you restrain the fridge from falling out as you go down the road.
kmb1966
Explorer
Jul 31, 2019
ScottG wrote:
My new Norcold is an absolute pile of junk and I'll probably be installing an Amish cooling unit or a compressor conversion kit from JC Cooling in it eventually.
If your going to stay with an absorbtion type fridge, you'd be much better off getting a good cooling unit for your existing fridge rather than a whole new fridge.

I too have the new Amish Cooling unit in my Norcold. BUT GUESS WHAT? IT DOESN'T COOL REASONABLE EITHER! JC Refrigeration blames the installer, and the installer blames JC Refrigeration and you get no where with either. Right now my unit is ON with the new Amish cooling unit, and it is 10 degrees in the freezer and 42 in the refrigerator. Ice cream does NOT get frozen hard, and if you open the door twice, it's now 45 degrees in the refrigerator and takes many hours to get to 42. AND 42 IS NOT THAT SAFE!
My plan is to get a residential unit and spend the $ and call it DONE. I am tired of playing the Norcold Amish games while they take my money and make up reasons to blame each other.

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