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Old 07-30-2022, 07:54 AM   #1
sunshine 1
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Removing a Norcold fridge from Trailer

I have 2019 3120 Montana, due to propane problem with it I want to sell it. The Ac part working fine, but I am boondocking 95% of the time. So instead of put out the money to fix it, I inteend to buy a 12 volt dc fridge. Brand ????
How hard is it to take out of the door?
Is that possible?
The fridge is only 3 1/2 years in what ballpark should I try to sell it for?
 
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Old 07-30-2022, 07:56 AM   #2
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The fridge is a 4 door Norcold.
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Old 07-30-2022, 09:08 AM   #3
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Old 07-30-2022, 09:46 AM   #4
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Tommy,

Instead of replacing it, recommend you convert it to a 12v compressor model.
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Old 07-30-2022, 10:07 AM   #5
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With a fairly new refer, I would first try to figure out what is wrong with the propane side. The cooling system works based on the electrical side being ok. It is the gas supply side that is the problem. That is a pretty simple system. There are several manuals in the Files section that can help. I would guess less then a $100 in parts will cure the problem. Plus you don't have to deal with the removal challenge.
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Old 07-30-2022, 10:37 AM   #6
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Zack, l wouldn't know how to do that. I am not mechanical gifted to that. Do you know of a place which would do that?
I am going to the Montana rally in September, do you know anyone up in that area which would do it?
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Old 07-30-2022, 10:43 AM   #7
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Old 07-30-2022, 12:16 PM   #8
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Here is a video that talks about the conversion. Its fairly long but just watching the first few minutes gives you an idea of the change.

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Old 07-30-2022, 02:11 PM   #9
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Carl, thanks for your advice, but I want to get rid of running my fridge on propane. I have two reasons: The first is the money I spend on the propane every year about $1000 a year and that is only running my fridge and water heater. The second reason is that I believe it is only a matter of time before our energy grid and energy supply system will be compromised from our enemies like Russia, China, Iran, North Korea. I do believe that will also affect the propane supply. I could be wrong but I don't want to find out later by not preparing for it.
Thanks NCFishers for the info. Thank you Zack for sharing that YouTube video.
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Old 08-03-2022, 01:31 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by sunshine 1 View Post
Carl, thanks for your advice, but I want to get rid of running my fridge on propane. I have two reasons: The first is the money I spend on the propane every year about $1000 a year and that is only running my fridge and water heater. The second reason is that I believe it is only a matter of time before our energy grid and energy supply system will be compromised from our enemies like Russia, China, Iran, North Korea. I do believe that will also affect the propane supply. I could be wrong but I don't want to find out later by not preparing for it.
Thanks NCFishers for the info. Thank you Zack for sharing that YouTube video.
The conversion is a great option. We are more likely to screw up our power infrastructure by failing to invest and update refineries, power plants etc than anyone else.
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Old 08-03-2022, 02:41 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by Carl n Susan View Post
With a fairly new refer, I would first try to figure out what is wrong with the propane side. The cooling system works based on the electrical side being ok. It is the gas supply side that is the problem. That is a pretty simple system. There are several manuals in the Files section that can help. I would guess less then a $100 in parts will cure the problem. Plus you don't have to deal with the removal challenge.
We had the same problem. It worked fine on electricity, but would not switch over to propane ever. Dealer diagnosed the problem as failure of the circuit board. It's been replaced and all seems well. The good news was, we had an extended warranty or the cost would have been prohibitive.
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Old 08-03-2022, 07:20 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by sunshine 1 View Post
I have 2019 3120 Montana, due to propane problem with it I want to sell it. The Ac part working fine, but I am boondocking 95% of the time. So instead of put out the money to fix it, I inteend to buy a 12 volt dc fridge. Brand ????
How hard is it to take out of the door?
Is that possible?
The fridge is only 3 1/2 years in what ballpark should I try to sell it for?
We had the same problem with our 2014 Big Sky, called out a RV mobil repair guy and he told me the spark gap was too close for it to ignite the propane, he adjusted the gap a little and it's been working great ever since..... Hope this helps
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Old 08-04-2022, 05:28 AM   #13
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Thank you for all the suggestions. The Ac side on the refrigerator stopped working also. There is a leak in the cooling system, I can see some yellowish fluid close to the burner element.
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Old 08-04-2022, 07:03 PM   #14
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Converting the existing fridge cooling unit to a 12VDC compressor cooling system is a great way to go IMO. This place can either send the cooling unit to you as a DIY or will install for you.

https://jc-refrigeration.com/product...cooling-units/
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Old 08-05-2022, 10:50 AM   #15
sunshine 1
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Yes, my plan is to convert my Norcold to a 12 volt DC fridge. I got an appointment to do it at JC-REFRIGERATION.
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Old 08-05-2022, 11:06 AM   #16
sunshine 1
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Anyone has any idea how to run 2 -10 ga DC wires from the kitchen slide to the battery compartment?
The DC cables on the fridge is only 14 ga. The DC compressors need 8 or 10 ga.
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Old 08-05-2022, 11:45 AM   #17
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You'll probably need 8 gauge. At the aft end of that slide is an articulated wire mgmt arm that carries at least the 120V wire for the fireplace. Run your wire thru the cabinets and pull the fireplce to exit the bottom of the slide where the arm is - from there you'll need to make decisions on dropping the coroplast or finding another way to run forward. Use an online wire gauge calculator using the amperage draw of your fridge remember your total run length will be almost the twice the camper length (times 2). Most calculators for DC use total wire length of positive and negative wires.
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Old 08-05-2022, 04:21 PM   #18
sunshine 1
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Thanks Rip
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Old 08-05-2022, 05:54 PM   #19
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Just finished installing the 12v conversation and love it. my Norcold is the 1210 model. Purchased from JC Refridgeration - https://jc-refrigeration.com/product...lacement-unit/.

I ran a test to see how long it would run on a group 31 4 year old battery. It easily ran for 9 straight hours and would probably run for another 4-6 hours easily.

Battery voltage started at 13.1v and after 9 hours went down to 11.9v. Compressor cutoff in the manual says 10.4v.

The test was done with shore power disconnected and nothing in the fridge and inside the RV was 102F. The fridge maintained 28F.

Another test I did was to see how quickly the fridge would cool down. Again, inside temps were over 100F and the fridge had been off for 3 days with doors open. Starting fridge temp was 89F and within 3 hours fridge temp was down to 35F.

I'm super happy, happy, happy. Big bonus is that now you have a separate thermostat for fridge and freezer.

Oh I forgot, I ran a 10ga wire from battery to fridge and installed 25amp in line fuse at the battery for safety.
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Old 08-05-2022, 07:25 PM   #20
sunshine 1
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Scott, how did you run the 10 ga wire to the battery compartment from the kitchen slide?
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