Fridge on blink- Has anyone changed out their refrigerator themselves or had it done?. How hard was it, any problems. Ours (Norcold N821) won't cool or freeze. Controls function, burner ignites but no cooling and freezer mildly frozen. 16 years old I guess time. Like to install myself hopefully it will fit thru door. Anyone try it or should I delegate it to a dealer. Thank you for you thoughts. Mac

I replaced my cooling unit a few years ago. Had to remove the cooling unit itself from the fridge inside the trailer as the fridge would not fit through the door.It was actually quite in easy process, took about 2 hours.

If the fridge is still in good shape, you can just replace the cooling unit. Easy to do inside the RV. Google "Amish RV fridge". You said the freezer gets cold? Gas fridge units either work or they don't. The cooling unit doesn't sound bad to me. Maybe partially plugged gas orifice not producing a big enough flame? Does it work on electricity?

I changed my out. Fairly simple on removing it from hole. Big problem was I had to remove it from the rig through a sliding window as the door was not large enough.I would be getting new unit and not trying to repair old. newer ones have better insulation.Try to get a direct replacement so as not to have to modify opening.While refer is out, check the top area to make sure the ventilation is correct.

I replaced the cooling unit on my 1200 Norcold. Works better than factory. Easy enough. 1200s are about $4k new, new cooling unit $1200.Now you can buy a compressor based replacement for some models..

National Refrigeration in Shipshewana can help. Leon is a young Amish man who repairs and replaces RV refrigerators. He has replaced the cooling unit on our Norcold 1200. Works great. His website is National RV RefrigerationA very nice young man who knows his stuff.Dale

Norcold replacement | Good Sam Community

Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Oct 11, 2018
I replaced my cooling unit a few years ago.
Had to remove the cooling unit itself from the fridge inside the trailer as the fridge would not fit through the door.
It was actually quite in easy process, took about 2 hours.
garyemunson
Explorer II
Oct 11, 2018
If the fridge is still in good shape, you can just replace the cooling unit. Easy to do inside the RV. Google "Amish RV fridge". You said the freezer gets cold? Gas fridge units either work or they don't. The cooling unit doesn't sound bad to me. Maybe partially plugged gas orifice not producing a big enough flame? Does it work on electricity?
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 11, 2018
I changed my out. Fairly simple on removing it from hole. Big problem was I had to remove it from the rig through a sliding window as the door was not large enough.
I would be getting new unit and not trying to repair old. newer ones have better insulation.
Try to get a direct replacement so as not to have to modify opening.
While refer is out, check the top area to make sure the ventilation is correct.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Oct 11, 2018
I replaced the cooling unit on my 1200 Norcold. Works better than factory.

Easy enough. 1200s are about $4k new, new cooling unit $1200.

Now you can buy a compressor based replacement for some models..
Scottiemom
Nomad
Oct 11, 2018
National Refrigeration in Shipshewana can help. Leon is a young Amish man who repairs and replaces RV refrigerators. He has replaced the cooling unit on our Norcold 1200. Works great. His website is National RV Refrigeration

A very nice young man who knows his stuff.

Dale
rhagfo
Explorer III
Oct 11, 2018
Another great place to get a new cooling unit. I have bought two from them for two different RV's. Great service.

RV Cooling Unit Warehouse
neschultz
Explorer
Oct 11, 2018
We just replaced our Dometic DM2652 with a Magic Chef 10.1 cu ft residential fridge from Home Depot. Took a few hours but I had to increase/lower the rough opening by about 6”.
mac51
Explorer
Oct 11, 2018
Good ideas have me interested in the new Amish units. Fridge is still nice just quit cooling when we got the MH out to travel. thank you for the reply's so far. I'll keep watching
Happytraveler
Explorer
Oct 11, 2018
2 months ago we replaced our small 15 year old Norcold Fridge. After two years getting it fixed we couldn't trust it anymore. Dang, the cost was around $2,400.00 installed.
mchero
Explorer
Oct 11, 2018
Any signs of a leak on the backside?
I replaced the cooling unit on ours 3 years ago from rvcoolingunits.com. Still going strong. We boondock so wanted to keep norcold.