Forum Discussion

glennts's avatar
glennts
Explorer
Nov 16, 2021

Which fridge would you choose?

My Norcold N641 with a 7 yr old Amish cooling unit may have died. Started to get instant NoCo, dealt successfully with this in the past, but this time, even after a new board, cleaning the burner orifice, connections, testing the AC heating element, although there is not a repeat of NoCo there is no cooling. The outside of the boiler stack will burn you but the fins at the condenser top remain cool and the vertical pipe before the fins is hot but I suspect this is from rising hot air from the AC element. So apparently there is no circulation. Spent 6 mos to 9,000' and perhaps that messed up the coolant process??? Running a straight to AC for 24 hrs test to confirm it's the cooler.

In the mean time looking at 12v only units... plenty of solar and lipo4 to support it.

A new 7.7 Everchill is $849 + shippng.

A scratch and dent(door)8.2 Norcold N8DC is $1450 but can be had for $825 + shipping.

The Norcold is a perfect fit for the N641 space which gives it an edge.

Which would you choose?
Class C
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Nov 16, 2021
    Hi definitely 12 volt.

    I don't think the make is important-but a drop in replacement makes life easier.

    I would go for SiO2 batteries, unless you roll your own Li and NEVER camp in coolish weather.
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer II
    Nov 17, 2021
    I agree the size that fits is the easiest install. Look into the amp draw of each model, then decide.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Nov 17, 2021
    So far (1.5yrs full time), we are quite happy with the everchill that came with our rig.

    The big advantage is it has drastically more interior space for the same size hole in the wall. It's a plus that it cools more quickly but not really a deal breaker either way.
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer II
    Nov 17, 2021
    At what voltage do these 12v fridges cut off at ?

    I can see them cutting off at 11.8v to protect Wet cells / AGM’s but other batteries like lithium or Si02 allow them discharge lower.
    My question is, would a fridge with a lower cut off be an advantage or better option using these types of batteries ?

    Also, is it necessary to need a specific charger or converter to use with the Si02’s.
    I have a PD4000 , not sure about charging specs of Si02’s.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Nov 17, 2021
    I tried a non-drop in a while ago. You don't want to try that too. Lots of work.
  • Sandia_Man's avatar
    Sandia_Man
    Explorer II
    Nov 17, 2021
    Since pricing is similar due to scratch and dent Norcold, I would stick with absorption RV fridges as we have had excellent service from both Dometic and Norcold versions. We made sure over several rigs and 3 decades to purchase rigs where fridge was not in a slide. Been fortunate enough that we have never had a cooling unit go bad, even on fridges that were 20 years old.

    The primary reason I would consider going with a 12Vdc or 120Vac compressor fridge is cost, I could literally buy 5 residential fridges for what it would cost ($5200 at PPL not including install) to replace our Norcold. With install and taxes nearly $6K is a bit tough to swallow, for certain we would go with an Amish cooling unit before resorting to compressor based versions.
  • glennts's avatar
    glennts
    Explorer
    Nov 17, 2021
    It's gone. You don't suppose someone saw an opportunity when the scratch and dent Norcold was mentioned in this thread. Had wondered about the wisdom of posting but it's spilled milk now.

    Lesson learned.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Nov 17, 2021
    glennts wrote:
    It's gone. You don't suppose someone saw an opportunity when the scratch and dent Norcold was mentioned in this thread. Had wondered about the wisdom of posting but it's spilled milk now.

    Lesson learned.


    I don't think anyone would order a spare fridge. There are thousands of folks who have fridge failures.
  • wguss's avatar
    wguss
    Explorer
    Nov 17, 2021
    We replaced our working Norcold 611 refrigerator with a Vitrifrigo about 1 1/2 years ago. I was tired of worrying about keeping the rig level and since we live on somewhat of a hill, had to put the MH on ramps whenever we were loading it for a trip. We also tend to camp a lot in the mountains and often stop on a grade to photograph scenery or animals for hours. The unit uses the Danfoss compressor and is popular in the boating industry as well as RV. Even though it's the same size as our old Norcold, it has about 1 1/2 cubic feet more of space.

    Vitrifrigo

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