Replaced Norcold 1200 with a Samsung RF197

[RickT]

Finally gave up on the Norcold 1200. It worked good about 1/2 the time and the other 1/2 it wouldn't cool. I had reset it so many times. Never any codes when it stopped working. I had replaced the thermistor and ice maker and had all the recalls done. I replaced it with a SAMSUNG RF197 ACRS 19 cu. ft. Stainless Steel French door, bottom freezer Frig. It fit fine for width and depth, but is really tight for height. I took out the old 1/2" frig shelf and installed a new lowered 3/4" shelf supported on blocks from the floor. I cut out above the furnace to allow more air intake flow to the furnace. I sealed the lower outside door and will leave the roof vent open for now. I have real nice stainless door locks to install. When I plugged in the the new frig, it was down to 36* in the frig and 2* in the freezer in just over 1 hour.

Pictures are here:
IMG_1110 - iRV2.com RV Photo Gallery


Rick

[BobGed]

Very nice job, Rick. Looks great.

[Twomed]

Looking cool...enjoy a really cold one now

[KIX]

RickT.......very nice install..........we installed the same Samsung except in black. Here's how I secure the freezer drawer. Glued Velcro on top of drawer directly below door hinges. Then loosen the door hinges and slide the opposing piece of Velcro under the hinge and re-tighten the hinge. When parked just close the piece held by the hinge(s) in the freezer drawer.
The door locks you pictured look like they would work very well for the upper doors. Please tell me where you got them and a part number.....Thanks

[JDT]

Looks great. Does it just run on shore/gen power? Can you run it on your inverter? How did you get it in the coach?

[RickT]

Thanks guys,
KIX, It's the latch monaco uses in the new coaches with res frigs. If you get them, use double sided trim tape and the screws to mount them.
I got them here: Sugatsune HC-85-S Sliding Door Latch Cabinet Latches

JDT, By removing the MH entry door and the doors on both frigs, we got the norcold out and the Samsung in.
By the way, when removing my entey door, I only had 3 screws total holding the hinges. All the others the heads were broken off or broke when I tryed to remove them.

I can also run it on the inverter, I have 4 golf cart batteries and 200 watts of solar panels, think that will be OK.

Rick

[KIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickT Thanks guys, KIX, It's the latch monaco uses in the new coaches with res frigs. If you get them, use double sided trim tape and the screws to mount them. I got them here: Sugatsune HC-85-S Sliding Door Latch Cabinet Latches Rick

Thanks Rick. I can visualize using that latch on the upper doors. Is the same latch used on the freezer drawer? Do you happen to have a pic showing it mounted?? Thanks

[RickT]

KIX,
Will mount them today. The freezer latch will go on the left side of the door. No pic of it mounted yet.

RickT

[Elkhartjim]

Finally...hard ice cream. Nice looking install.

[Pusherpilot]

Thanks Rick,

This is almost exactly what I'm going to do in our 04 Imperial, which is virtually the same as your Windsor. The big difference with mine is that I have AquaHot which means I can modify the cabinet all I need without worrying about what's under the fridge.
I have three questions for you and KIT:
First, how is the fridge secured in the cabinet?
Second, did the old 1200 go out the door by simply removing its doors?
Third, Was it necessary to remove the entry door or could you have removed the arm from the top to allow it to open far enough to get the box thru?

Thanks again guys, good job!!!
Ron

[KIX]

Pusherpilot, The entry door on our coach is apparently wider than most. The Norcold went out and the Samsung came in without even removing the screen door.
The Samsung is fastened at the top and bottom in the front. On the bottom I made some brackets that engage the cabinet and bolt to the reefers front leveling attach points. On the top I cut a 1" x 4" board that spans the cabinet width......on the reefer side of the board there are some protrusions (1" square plywood) that engage a couple of 1" square indentions on the top of the Samsung. IMHO the Samsung is more secure than the Norcold was.

[DtBt]

Great job. I had thought of the same design but had reservations about the furnace. Have you run the furnace to see if there is a temperature rise effecting the frig efficiency? I could not tell from the pics how you sealed the top vent.

[RickT]

DtBt,
I didn't seal the top vent, I'm going to put fine screen on it to keep bugs, etc out. The area around the furnace doesn't get that hot as intake air is flowing around it. I had planned to put sheet metal over the cutout in the shelf, but I didn't. The furnace can draw air from the frig area and the frig can draw air from the furance area. I think this will work good.

Rick

[KIX]

Rick.....when you get the latches installed please post a pic. Thanks