Questions for those that switched from Norcold to residential

[geotex1]

Yes definitely worth the expense! I am spending 4 days in it Fathers Day weekend so I plan to take down the wall in the basement and poke around and see how it's wired. I do know they put in a 100 amp inline fuse in the battery bay mounted to the wall inline with the batteries. I want to see if they had to install a regular 120V plug behind the wall etc. I'll take a few pics for anyone that may be thinking of doing it themselves.

That would be much appreciated!

Sounds like you had a great dealer and got a fair deal on converting. Most dealers in this area won't touch a project like that, installing a generator, or installing solar. You either order it from the factory with these or DIY. I'm in the DIY camp, but will need to find another set of hands to get the units swapped.

[Walaby]

At this point I am hoping GD will step up and cover at least some of the cost. We are still within our 1 yr warranty and to my mind the Norcold has never worked right. Burns way too much fuel, have to constantly fiddle with the temp adjustment and the freezer just doesn't get cold enough. Not to mention the popping burner issue as well.
-Rob-

I can't imagine GD covering any of the cost, but if they do, please respond back.

I've been thinking of making this switch as well. So far, my norcold is working "ok", but we have a tendency to fill it to the brim, and that makes it extremely difficult to keep things cold, even if pre-chilled.

We pretty much exclusively go to places with electrical hookup, so boondocking not really an issue for me.

Mike

[CoChris]

.... I'll take a few pics for anyone that may be thinking of doing it themselves.

Looking forward to your report. Thank you

Chris

[boyscout]

Do the doors have a travel latch or how do you ensure they can't open while traveling? Thanks -Rob-

Per @Second Chance suggestion, here's a review of the Fridge Fixer:

https://www.rvtechmag.com/tech/91_fridgefixer.php

[Drolaw]

Morning Jim. Yes the conversion is pretty much plug and play. However if you notice the pics I posted mine has much less gap at the top and sides than a factory install, they were able to use some scrap trim pieces they had and make it look much more built in than normal. The ice maker water line and inverter install was pretty simple as well. They have one tech who has done several now so they have the process down. Well worth the money in my book. The rig is in my enclosed storage unit and I left it running for the last two weeks to see how it does. Even in this heat lately and no AC running it stays where I set it, 38 deg in fridge and -8 in freezer. Nice!

I'm sold ...I'm definitely going to call ExploreUSA tomorrow and get pricing and see if I can schedule time for the install. I may wait to see your pics but it does sound like something I want to do. My wife says I have to figure it out so I think this counts as a solution...lol.

[Txfivver]

Talk to Leroy Calk in service, tell him Jeff referred you. You will love the results. Put your Norcold on Craigslist. I sold mine to guy at work for $200.

[KamFlyer]

OK, another question. Other than the Samsung RF18 res fridge, has anyone installed any other brands/models?

[RBWebb]

We're on our second 5th wheeler with the residential fridge, but both came installed, we didn't need to switch out the Norcold. However both residential fridges had travel latches. One had a large rubber knob that screwed in between the doors holding them closed, and the second (our Grand Design) has a small lock lever on the fridge.

-Robyn

We are getting serious about switching away from the Norcold to a residential fridge, probably the Samsung, and I have a couple of questions.

1. What did you use to seal up the vent openings in the side of the trailer as I assume they are not needed with a res fridge?
2. Do the doors have a travel latch or how do you ensure they can't open while traveling?

Thanks -Rob-

[Ranchertx]

Why switch?

The Norcold is a great unit once you get the door flap fixed and move the thermistor where it needs to be. Mine stays in the low 30’s now.

[KamFlyer]

Why switch?

The Norcold is a great unit once you get the door flap fixed and move the thermistor where it needs to be. Mine stays in the low 30’s now.

Yes, ours keeps the fridge right around 0C as well, but the freezer doesn't get cold enough to freeze things solid and to maintain those temps, it runs almost constantly regardless if it's on electric or propane.
After its every other day defrost cycle, it takes a full day (24 hrs) of constant running to get back down to normal temps.
That is with ambient outside temps in the low to mid 20's during the day and around 10 overnight (degrees C BTW). We have done the flapper fix and the thermistor is right where the book says it should be. Also have done the paper test and all door seals are fine!