9 replies to this topic

[lylefikse]

We have a Norcold 1210 Fridge in our 2007 Damon Tuscany.

The freezer will not stay cold enough and the fridge compartment freezes things. After talking to tech at a local RV dealer, I have tried lowering the sensor from the top of the cooling fins until it is now all the way on the bottom. (A bit at a time and changing cold settings. At different times based on temperature I have had the cold setting on all settings between 5 and 9) This seemed to solve the freezer problem but not the freezing in the fridge compartment. Each time I moved it, the temp would be OK for a few days and then within days the temp would vary again working lower until the fridge compartment would freeze. Then I was told to try defrosting the unit and letting the coolant settle and start over. This seemed to work for about two weeks and now we are back to the freezer not being cold enough to keep Ice Cream frozen. The sensor is all the way down. I can’t move it lower. I am currently on #7. If I go to 8 or 9 the fridge freezes.

Any Ideas? It seems to me this will take days or even weeks for a dealer to diagnose. We are living in the unit. Leaving it with a dealer causes a problem.

Reading the forum, I see many problems with this model fridge not cooling. Mine cools, but is all over the place. Help!!

[jc21014]

Sounds like you might have a bad thermistor which is part of what you have been sliding up and down. Here is a link with info on how this works and where to purchase if you're not close to a RV supply store. They are not expensive and are easy to replace. If you do the repair, I would slide the thermistor back to about 1/3 down from the top. http://www.bing.com/...tor&FORM=MYMSNA There should be (2) fans that are thermostatically controlled and located in the outside fridge compartment towards the top. Make sure you here these running as they will help the unit cool better, supposedly.

You might also check and see if your unit is covered under the current Norcold recall for certain Model 1200 fridges. http://www.norcoldrecall.com/

[lylefikse]

Thanks. I'll try a new thermistor. Looks like I fall into the second recall as well.

[lylefikse]

We made it home with the unit working so-so. As this is covered by my extended warranty, I am going to let the dealer sort it out.

[lylefikse]

I took the motorhome to the dealer today and said if it needs a new cooling unit. I would like the Amish built unit. He told me that aftermarket cooling units fail about 1/2 the time in the first year. Went on to say that although they stand behind the unit, often labor is not covered. He strongly suggested staying with Norcold.

I have heard nothing but good on the forums about the Amish unit.

Any comments?

[wolfe10]

The two statements are not necessarily in conflict with each other.

It could be that there is a high failure rate on aftermarket cooling units. That may or may not include the Amish units.

So, that is the question I would ask of your service manager-- do you have any experience with the Amish cooling units, and if so do they experience the same high failure rate?

I have no experience with any of the aftermarket cooling units, so please don't read this as a positive or negative comment about the quality of the Amish units.

Brett

[Robert.Shelly]

Are they even sure it's the cooling unit? Have you tried one of the inside 12v fans, like these:
http://www.ebay.com/...984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/...=item3a6b243fff

Don't get me wrong, we are SOOO glad we got rid of the Norcold cooling unit but.....

Yeah I can't comment/stereotype on ALL Amish units available out there but RV Cooling Unit Warehouse (owner David Force) sure has a good reputation. I believe his units are pruduced by Pines RV Refrigeration, LLC in Shipshewana, IN. Also, keep in mind that many Shops/Techs don't install the Amish units correctly. They think they should ALL be installed like Norcold which isn't correct. This is why Mr. Force told me that he many times would rather the end customer install them than techs. 'Customers' tend to follow the provided instructions, have attention to detail, take the time and do it right. Oh and make sure they are taking about 'Brand-New" units, not refurb.

Our Norcold to Amish Built Cooling Unit Change-out

Robert
2000 American Dream
-currently in Tucson, AZ

[Koliver]

Lyle:

We did the "Amish" conversion last November. The price difference covered the cost of labor to install, using a pro who had done several of them before ours. The warranty difference was, a one yr parts and Labor from Norcold, vs a three yr parts only on the Amish unit.

The big difference in reputation centered on the quality of construction and the quality of the materials used in the construction. The Norcold reputation was poor, as a replacement didn't guarantee the number of years of good service we had already had with the Norcold. The Amish rep was so good, we haven't heard of any failures at all. Norcold are still fighting a reputation that they have a tendency to cause fires, and their "Recall" for that failing was into its 9th iteration when ours was done, but the Amish unit was not susceptible to that failure, so no recall parts were required.

So far we have no reason to doubt our decision to go "Amish".

[lylefikse]

We are still not sure what the problem is with our unit. Thanks for the comments. If anyone has had a problem with the Amish Unit I would like to hear from you. Absent problems, it soulds to me like the way to go. It may also depend on what out warrany will cover.

[lylefikse]

I talked to my dealer yesterday. He said he spent an hour on the phone with Norcold while they went through several tests. Bottom line, the unit is not talking to itself well. What the board is not reading what the thermistor reads. Same for the control panel. The board is not getting the right reading. A new board is on order. We intend to use it next month at the Heartland Chapter Rally in Ponca, NE. I will update after that, on how it is working. Warranty will cover. Yea!