Community Forums

Dunner · 10-01-2012, 06:28 AM

My 5er Dometic had a fire recall too. All they did was install a fire shield.

paz · 10-01-2012, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dance Chick

This makes me so nervous. I've been a little skiddish about a fire ever since we bought our MH this past March. We're set to go out for a month the middle of Oct. This makes me afraid to go. Can someone lead me in the right direction to see about a residential refer? What was the reference to the Amish cooling units? I don't know what that is.
Thanks for any input.

Ernie - glad your friend and his dog got out okay.

There are custom RV places in the Elkhart, IN area and elsewhere that will install a residential refrigerator. Google "custom RV interiors," then do your homework and get referrals and look for reviews.

Professional installation of a RR can run $3000 to $5000+ depending on what fridge they use, how much woodworking they have to do and whether or not they have to upgrade or add an inverter and batteries. We went the DIY route and installed a RR last winter for under $2000.

The Amish cooling unit is a replacement cooling unit for RV refrigerators that is reportedly more efficient and reliable than the factory cooling units. They are supplied by RV Cool. They sell to DIYers, and I think there are some professional shops that will do the installation for you.

Ernie Ekberg · 10-01-2012, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don

I'm not a Norcold lover, but has anyone seen the fire report with a cause statement before determining Norcold was at fault.

Owner of coach just posted: both fire marshalls ststed the refer is where fire started.

G.G. · 10-01-2012, 07:51 AM

Thanks Paz.....

Davdeb1 · 10-01-2012, 08:09 AM

Our unit has a replacement cooling unit in it. It is white instead of black. When I bought this MH, I noticed that the cooling unit was replaced in may of 2011 by the original owner. It cost him close to 1400 dollars, but it looks like a AMISH BUILT. The fridge works great, it's almost a year since we purchased the MH, and all I have to do is turn it on a day before we go somewhere. I think just have a new cooling unit put in is the least expensive way to go. Like another poster said, if you are a DIY person you can put a RR in yourself for around 2200 hundred, but even so, having someone install a new cooling unit is much cheaper.

A big plus for doing this and keeping the original, the doors stay closed without modifications, if you are going to travel for 3-4 days and not hook up anywhere, you still have a refer that works. My unit doesn't have a inverter so I would have to use the GENNY just to keep the refer cold.

Has anyone had a problem with their refer after the Amish unit was installed?

UsualSuspect · 10-01-2012, 09:44 AM

I think the real reason is insurers have not forced them to. Most of us have insurance, and in the case of a fire,if we make it out alive, our insurance pays the claim. Usually when insurance pays up, we sign a check, and by signing there is usually a stipulation we won't pursue any future litigation. That let's Norcold off the hook from a class action suit or separate litigation. Now if someone has some $$$ laying around to replace their rig with while you and the Attorney's litigate with Norcold. In the end, Norcold may pay, but the Attorney's get 1/3 of it, and you get what is left. My guess is it is easier to take your Insurance Companies check than to wait out Norcold and the Courts.

JimM68 · 10-01-2012, 01:26 PM

There are way too many lawyers in the world. Followed closely by people who believe they are entitled to something, followed by thos who think if something bad happens to them, it must be someone elses fault.

Sh87 happens!

MSHappyCampers · 10-01-2012, 02:54 PM

When we bought our Monaco Windsor a few months ago the first thing we did was to replace the Norcold 1200LRIM cooling unit with one of the Amish-made units from David Force at RV Cooling Unit Warehouse. I would not have slept in the MH even one night before this was done!

jauguston · 10-01-2012, 03:57 PM

I had one of the Amish $1025.00 cooling units from David Force installed in our Norcold. It lasted two days. It took 5 weeks of screwing around with unreturned calls before we got a second one installed. It is not necessarily the cure-all. The second one has been working for a week. Fingers crossed!

Jim

Dunner · 10-01-2012, 04:22 PM

Who installed it?

Ernie Ekberg · 10-01-2012, 04:23 PM

Sh87 happens- you betcha- its' not "if" but when. sleeep well with your norcold.

jauguston · 10-01-2012, 04:28 PM

Dunner,

Local reputable RV Repair shop. They are experienced in replacing cooling units. Including mine they did 4 the week they did mine. Not all 1200 Norcolds. Pine, the Amish company that makes the unit said the overheat recall did not need to be connected to their unit but the shop installed it anyway. I thought that was a good idea.

Jim

wa8yxm · 10-01-2012, 04:33 PM

Wife tested our red-neck Dinner bell (Smoke detector) just this morning. It worked.

Ernie Ekberg · 10-01-2012, 05:29 PM

I'm going to install a couple more smoke detectors. I already have one of those center punch things that will shatter the glass so we can get out. I'm 40 feet from the front door, so out the window we will go.