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08-30-2023, 09:48 PM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,935
M.O.C. #19755
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12VDC Dual Compressor Refrigerator Installation
I have completed the installation of a 12VDC kit on my Norcold 2118 refrigerator. I took a few photos along the way. The installation was not too difficult, but does require a helper or two to move the refrigerator around. The hardest part was pulling new cables from the battery compartment to the slide out.
I've had it running a few days, and the new unit is working great. The freezer is a consistent 0 and the refer is 34. Current pull with both compressors running is 11.3A, but I do not expect this unit to run constantly like the old one. I'll have to use it for awhile to determine how much power it pulls per day.
Photos:
Unboxed
Starting to remove old unit
Old unit exposed
Old unit removed
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-30-2023, 09:51 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,935
M.O.C. #19755
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Additional photos:
Cabinet prepared for new unit
New unit installed on cabinet
Final wiring & installation complete
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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09-01-2023, 10:01 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 948
M.O.C. #30262
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz
Additional photos:
Cabinet prepared for new unit
New unit installed on cabinet
Final wiring & installation complete
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Awesome job Scott! Quite the project you undertook there
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Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
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08-31-2023, 07:39 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,736
M.O.C. #24086
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Nice job!!!
I may be doing that someday soon.
I've always wondered how you get the fridge out of the wall. How is it Anchored into the cavity?
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Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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08-31-2023, 08:24 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,291
M.O.C. #30417
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That's impressive as hell. I'm not sure I'm confident enough to tackle that job.
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Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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08-31-2023, 11:00 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,935
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak
That's impressive as hell. I'm not sure I'm confident enough to tackle that job.
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The instructions they provide are very good, step-by-step. Pulling the cables was another project.
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-31-2023, 10:58 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,935
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles
Nice job!!!
I may be doing that someday soon.
I've always wondered how you get the fridge out of the wall. How is it Anchored into the cavity?
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You might be surprised; anchored might be an overstatement. Two #10 screws in the outside compartment, going into the floor. Inside, four #10 screws on top & bottom behind trim piece. Had it out in about 30 minutes cause I'm slow.
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-31-2023, 09:21 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 664
M.O.C. #20906
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Dual compressors? First I have heard of that. But I am a little slow. What is the purpose of two? Do they work in stages? I think some home AC units have dual speed compressors. The unit in our house is almost 30 years old and I installed it myself. I was a little more energetic back then.
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2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
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08-31-2023, 11:02 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,935
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Baldicon
Dual compressors? First I have heard of that. But I am a little slow. What is the purpose of two? Do they work in stages? I think some home AC units have dual speed compressors. The unit in our house is almost 30 years old and I installed it myself. I was a little more energetic back then.
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Larger compressor for the refrigerator, smaller for the freezer. They work independently. They are not dual speed; just two of them.
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-31-2023, 11:11 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: LYNDEN
Posts: 286
M.O.C. #30751
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Is that the DutchAire kit from JC Engineering? Just left there yesterday having that kit installed on my Norcold. Like yours it is a vast improvement.
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2003 Holiday Rambler Navigator 43PKD 500HP 11L Cummins ISM
2005 Keystone Montana 2955RL (sold)
1999 F350 SC (sold)
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08-31-2023, 11:39 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,935
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joint Venture II
Is that the DutchAire kit from JC Engineering? Just left there yesterday having that kit installed on my Norcold. Like yours it is a vast improvement.
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Yes. DutchAire from JC Refrigeration.
https://jc-refrigeration.com/
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-31-2023, 12:22 PM
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#12
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 50
M.O.C. #20918
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Nice job! Looking at the JC Engineering website, it looks like they also offer a 120V conversion kit. Would the 120V kit just plug in like the original unit, avoiding the challenge of running new wires? Is there a reason you went with the 12V version?
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2018 3950BR, 2017 GMC Denali 3500 DRW
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08-31-2023, 02:00 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 664
M.O.C. #20906
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz
Larger compressor for the refrigerator, smaller for the freezer. They work independently. They are not dual speed; just two of them.
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Thanks for the explanation Scott. Now I don't feel so dumb. Still feel dumb, just not as much.
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2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
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08-31-2023, 10:40 AM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,960
M.O.C. #20477
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Looking good Scott!
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Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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