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Dr4Film · 04-27-2012, 07:04 AM

I am no longer sitting on the fence as to which way to go with my Norcold aka NotSoCold. I sat there for well over one year tossing around whether to have the Amish cooling unit installed on the back of my Norcold or to install a Samsung RF197ACBP. One thing that was holding me back on the decision was possibly loosing the lower storage cabinet under the Norcold.

After talking to a very good friend that also owns a 2005 Monaco Windsor with a Norcold, they convinced me that the Samsung was the ONLY correct choice to make. If I had chosen the Amish unit, I would have still ended up with a Norcold body with many possible potential problems such as poor door hinges and seals, control boards that can fail, de-icing every 3-4 weeks and still only 12 cu. ft. of storage.

We chose Billy Thibodeaux Premiere RV Service in Scott Louisiana to do the installation. Our appointment was Monday morning, April 16th. By the end of the day we had a brand new Samsung fridge in the coach and running. I have NO regrets whatsoever. I now wished that I had done it earlier.

I have attached a PDF which contains a photo documentary of the installation with captions. There is also a Notes page at the end that gives some explanations and opinions of the installation.

Feel free to review it and make comments.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Drifter · 04-27-2012, 08:31 AM

Your picture file is a excellent explanation of what has to be done when changing units from a Norcold to a Samsung in a Winsor/Camalot and up model coaches with the larger windows.
We also used that type of freezer lock and it works great. Do you have any pictures of how they bolted down the new unit.

Dr4Film · 04-27-2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drifter

Your picture file is a excellent explanation of what has to be done when changing units from a Norcold to a Samsung in a Winsor/Camalot and up model coaches with the larger windows.
We also used that type of freezer lock and it works great. Do you have any pictures of how they bolted down the new unit.

I did not take any photos of the method used to secure the fridge due to space limitations to get the camera into such a tight space. However, they used three decking type screws with large fender washers in the rear of the fridge in three different locations on the base where they had easy access. The front has two decking type screws coming up through the support shelf and through each round foot on the corners such that you can just see the tip of the screw on top of each foot. Each corner foot was screwed down just enough to meet the shelf support and not change the level. All four wheels remained on the bottom and that's what the fridge is currently sitting on. If the fridge had to come out for service, it can easily be removed.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

patmsp · 04-27-2012, 01:38 PM

Just LOVE what you did and all your wonderful pictures. I'm doing the same install on my 2000 dynasty. It seems that it's taking more than two days. Oh..Well

But, I'm having a tough time visuallizing the bottom freezer door holder. Are we looking at the front? the side? Does the pin and ring come out completely when you are traveling? Does the bracket pivot on the screw that holds it down?

Sometimes I'm a little dense (at least my DW tells me that).

Again...congrats....

Dr4Film · 04-27-2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patmsp

But, I'm having a tough time visualizing the bottom freezer door holder. Are we looking at the front? the side? Does the pin and ring come out completely when you are traveling? Does the bracket pivot on the screw that holds it down?

Sometimes I'm a little dense (at least my DW tells me that).

Again...congrats....

Patmsp,

You are looking at the left front of the freezer drawer with the left french door opened. The small right angle bracket is attached to the body of the fridge with just enough clearance to allow the freezer drawer to open and close without scuffing the top of the drawer. The locking pin is ONLY used when you want the drawer locked for travel. Otherwise you remove it and store it in a safe place.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

docj · 04-27-2012, 03:30 PM

I love your locking pin idea for the freezer drawer. It is simple and elegant. The original latch installed on mine didn't work well either.

Mr_D · 04-27-2012, 03:31 PM

Wondering about the battery life. That's what kept me from doing it when I replaced the cooling unit last year with an Amish unit . If I can find one to fit the opening I might go electric. Our refer is in a slide so there's not much room to expand up or down and the wife would not be happy to lose the pantry drawers beside the refer.

Thanks for the write up and pictures.

Drifter · 04-28-2012, 02:25 PM

Here's a link showing our lock system. Pretty much the same idea.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/quic...ml#post1119805

bigdomino · 04-28-2012, 03:16 PM

I am using an iPad and don't see your pictures. Is there a link on your message?

Steve

Drifter · 04-28-2012, 03:50 PM

Bigdomino, It must be the I Pad.

**CLIFFTALL** · 04-28-2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdomino

I am using an iPad and don't see your pictures. Is there a link on your message?

Steve

The op's PDF did not show up on my iPhone also. I went to the IRV2 site and there it was. iPhone's and iPads are great but have some limitations.

By the way. Great post Richard. Thanks.

vito.a · 04-28-2012, 07:30 PM

Richard,
Thanks for the pictorial. Why did they go through the window instead of the front door?
For the other folks that are doing this mod, I have learned something new from each one of these.
Thanks for sharing.

Dr4Film · 04-29-2012, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vito.a

Richard,
Thanks for the pictorial. Why did they go through the window instead of the front door?
For the other folks that are doing this mod, I have learned something new from each one of these.
Thanks for sharing.

Vito.a,

They chose that window because of the large size & location. No sofa or large obstacle to deal with in front of the window. To come through the door, you have to remove the scissor door arm, remove the co-pilot & pilot seats and possibly the TV.

The window was out and in with 30 minutes of work each way. The window valance and day/night shade took all of 10 minutes, 20 minutes for the window.

Many people use the driver's window but the seat(s) still have to be removed, etc.

Using the forklift saved a LOT of work.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Eddie Foy · 05-21-2012, 11:09 AM

$129/Hr!! I should have been an RV repairman.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

We chose Billy Thibodeaux Premiere RV Service in Scott Louisiana to do the installation. Our appointment was Monday morning, April 16th. By the end of the day we had a brand new Samsung fridge in the coach and running. I have NO regrets whatsoever. I now wished that I had done it earlier.