Norcold 1200 replacement

[Brigadoon]

I will spare you the details of trying to get my Norcold refer to cool properly. What I'm interested in is info from rv'ers that have swapped out their gas/elec frig for a residentual electric unit.

Our frig is mounted over the furnace in our floor plan (4015).

Some questions I have are:

1- What model frig did you by as a replacement?

2- Where did you get the installation done? Any recommendations as to a service center/dealer to do the job? We will be in PA, Indiana, and Michigan for the next few weeks.

3- What is done inside the outside access door? Is it sealed off?

4- Any other thoughts or info from anyone is appreciated.

["007"]

Here is a thread that maybe of interest to you. Considering size furnace may cause a problem.

[shadrack]

After our Norcold almost burned up our coach last early spring, I decided to install the largest residential refrigerator possible in our DS. The Norcold was toast so after pulling it out and pitching it, I figured out how to rebuild the cabinet and enlarging it. It wasn't hard. Then I went online and started looking at and getting dimentions on all the refrigerators that Lowes handled. Ended up with a counter depth 32 cubic foot refrigerator that would come in the door. The pictures show that it fits and doesn't look too bad. It's a Whirlpool Gold series energy rated one. I did all the work myself and did not seal the vent figuring that the since the unit pulls the cooling air in the front, the vent in the rear would be good. I also did not insulate the old flue vent on the roof for the same reason of getting rid of the heat. The key to this all was the "counter depth" refrigerator that allowed me to get the unit in the entry door. 3/4" total clearance made it tight to get in with the doors removed. Planning was everything. I hope you're able to go residential as it's soooooo much better. Good luck.

[a k]

Are you sure about the 32 cu ft? Damn, that's big

["007"]

Thanks shadrack. super job, have added your post to Quick Tips.
It comes up now and than and won't have to look for it.

[shadrack]

AK,
Sorry. My index fingers got mixed up in typing. It should have said 23 cubic foot. 23.1 to be exact. My gosh, a 32 cubic foot refrigerator would almost have to be a walkin. But it is the biggest I could get in the space provided. Have a good day.

[a k]

Shadrack
Two Questions. Do you have a model # for the new box and does it throw heat out the front. Three Did you leave the top exhaust fans in place. Four. How much would you charge to do mine?

[Brigadoon]

Shadrack,

Thanks for the info. A couple of more questions.

Does your frig sit over top of your furnace? If so, did you have to lower the platform on which the frig sits?

So far most of the frig's that I've found are close to 69 inches high which looks like a problem.

[shadrack]

1. The model # is GC3SHAVA
2. The air intake is in bottom front and exhausts thru back vents. I left
the outside vents open to facilitate exhausting heat. I figured that
when we had foundation homes, the fridges were usually backed into
alcoves that had little or no circulation of air. With the vents being
left open, heat buildup would not be a problem. Hence, all of the
Norcold fans were removed.
3. I had to lower the shelf that the unit sits on to 1 1/2" off the furnace.
And there is 2" clearance between the ceiling and the top of the door
hinges. Of course the clearance is greater inside the cabinet to the
roof. The exact measurements can be found on the web for all the
different sized units.
4. Counter depth was the key to getting it right. We've traveled from
Ohio to Texas to Florida and back to Ohio via DC since I installed it
last spring and haven't had one iota of a problem. I did secure it
down with four screws into the floor in the rear.
5. Although this job was not 1/10th the job of replacing our carpeting
with tile or replacing the 32" front overhead TV with a 40" HDTV, I
wouldn't even think of going into business to do these jobs. This was
probably the easiest of the three, though.
6. This wasn't a hard job. Just the key is planning. Setting the fridge
upright in the coach had to even be considered. It came in on its
side but couldn't be set upright due to the low ceiling. Had to turn
it on its back and then set upright. Little things like that.

Good luck.

[Brigadoon]

My brother-in-law and I are going to tackle this install in Sept. Your continued info is helping us with our plan.

What did you do with the propane?

Thanks.

[shadrack]

Took the gas line out down to the tee in the basement and capped it off. The water line was reused to feed the new fridge. The key to all is to check all measurements. The operation of the furnace was not impeded this past winter, when it was needed. Did have to cut down the inlet vent in front of the furnace though. That wasn't a big deal. Good luck.

[Brigadoon]

Now we have a good start on the install!

Any pointers on the removal of the existing frig?

["007"]

This 1200 link pg 39 shows surround to remove, doors have to come off, maybe screws through bottom floor plate of fridge access through vent opening. Some MFG's use sealant bottom floor of fridge may have to pry up fridge.
If your door isn't wide enough may have to go through same window as the new one.
Good luck.

[Brigadoon]

007, thanks for the info, it will be helpful with our project.