Just had a Norcold FIRE, what now

[Magic]

Sitting in Apache Junction, AZ having our morning coffee when the wife thought someone was burning trash and after looking outside, we realized it was us. After removing the outside cover, the whole stack was on fire.
We are on electric, not propane. Our refer is a 1200LR in a 06 MACA. WHAT NOW ? ? ?

[1ciderdog]

WOW - scary but great that your were there and able to contain the fire as it could have destroyed your coach (Well you didn't say you put it out but I presume you did) . Was your Norcold part of the recall and if so was it serviced?

[bjsheldon]

Norcold has a recall on your fridg.

[Ernie Ekberg]

For $350 you can get a house type refer and get rid of the fire hazard once and for all. That way - you can sleep at night without any fire worries.

[Magic]

I thought I checked back in 2009 and that it was only 2 door models and when on propane, but I guess after checking today, it was mine too.

Actually, I put tthe fire out very fast with the standard exstingisher that's in the motorhome. The only visible damage I can see outside of wiring and such around the stack is that while removing all the food, we noticed a dime size hole in the bottom left hand corner inside the refer behind the veggie drawer and a spot discolored just above that. DAVE

[Magic]

Ernie,
That just might be an option before this is over

[Ernie Ekberg]

There was a discussion on one of these boards about how many rv folks don't frequent them. We need to get the word out to everyone we see at a campground that would have this Norcold unit. Who knows, we could help save a few lives and possessions.

[allynne]

Magic,

If I were you I would call Norcold and let them know. I assume you had not been contacted about the latest recall.

I had a fire in my norcold last fall, I was luckly there was no box damage and very little coach damage. Norcold replaced the cooling unit then I had the recall accomplished.

It took them a while to approve the replacement, but they did. I would expect they will make you well also, as lawsuits are very unpleasant for them.

As Ernie said you can replace with a residential unit, but Norcold won't help with that. If I have any further problems I will go with a residential unit.

Al Sawyer
'05 MADP

[oemtech]

It's no different than Dometic... Their idea of a fix is some sort of shut down. It's more of a CYA than anything. If your out of warranty... your SOL on having Dometic or Norcold fix what may believe as a bad design.

When my Dometic bit the dust I opt'd to put in an Amish cooler unit with a 3 yr warranty. The cost would have been $420 had I installed it myself.

[Ernie Ekberg]

Before I added my Whirlpool, I had a Dometic. While it did not burn, the cooling unit decided to alter the atmosphere in our coach. A friend and I removed the old unit and I was glad to get rid of it.

["007"]

All Norcolds 4 door & since 1988 to 2000 for 2 door are on recall and the recalls do not work because we have had fires with their second recall as we post.
Sorry for your fire and hope it was caught in time.
The only cooling unit I would place on the Norcold's would be the Amish cooling unit which some people have already done unless they change it to a residential refrigerator.
The Norcold box is a good unit its the poorly designed cooling unit that Norcold has used.

[rcatter]

Is the Amish unit something a person could install on their own or would it require dealer intervention?

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcatter Is the Amish unit something a person could install on their own or would it require dealer intervention?

Here's someone who did it themselves
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f54/the-o...lem-83336.html

[Paul R. Haller]

I just don't get why after so many fires and so many poorly designed units Norcold and Dometic still exist. The same is true for the RV AC units. We as consumers can change this. Demand upon buying that the appliances have a 5 year warranty or you don't buy the coach and when Norcold offers a new cooling unit dont accept it and demand help with a residential refer. As buyers we ultimately have the power to affect change if we work collectively. That said, as can be seen by this post, Norcold has done a piss poor job of letting everyone know about the recall and how serious it is. Can you imagine if this were a residential fire cause by a poorly designed refer? Those refers would all be fixed at once not by us but the insurance companies who insure us and Norcold would probably get a huge black eye from it or perhaps they would just file for protection under chapter 11. Either way, Nocold would be no more.
-Paul R. Haller-