Norcold install

[jeffminsc]

Hello all….. Thanks for looking at my thread. As I have said before work keeps me from getting things done quickly, but hey no work no cash so…. Any way let’s get started.
When I got my new to me 1994 Skyline Aljo 5th wheel I knew it needed a refrigerator. Open up the door and the smell of ammonia would run you out of the camper. I was thinking of replacing the cooling unit but decided to upgrade the hole unit instead. The original unit was a dometic RM2620 2 way unit and I wanted a 3 way to run on 12Vdc when running down the road. Besides the dometic unit was 18 years old. So I thought it was time for a upgrade. The unit I picked out is a Norcold N641.3. One of the main reasons is the Made in the USA sticker when you open the door and I liked the way it looked. So on to the install.

Old unit removed and kind of cleaned up.

This is the frame I made for the lower cabinet.

Me putting in the side panels by the way that’s a small hole for a fat guy.

The Norcold unit is a zero clearance unit so I made side panels so that it would have the clearance that Norcold recommends.

Test fit after panel installation, It’s best if you have some help the unit is not that heavy but it’s got no good place to grab a hold of it.

This is my helper and the love of my life my wife Emily.

Had to make a cabinet in the top this is also for lack of a better term a chimney to direct heat out the roof.

Made a frame on the top just like the one on bottom.

Putting on panel adhesive, (contact cement) was the best thing I could think to use. Just make sure you have plenty of ventilation….. Don’t ask how I know.

[corvettec3]

I like it :-)

[jeffminsc]

I know this is not a awe inspiring picture but it’s part of the process. My advice is to do it this way if you try and cut the holes out then put up the panel it will most likely break and hey oak panels are expensive…..

I used a router with a flush cutting bit to cut out the holes, of course you need to drill a hole big enough to get the router bit in.

Used some stain to try and match the rest of the camper. It is not a great match but it will work. I don’t know a lot about staining so I am sure someone else could get it to match.

Ok all done. I will be putting in some cooling fans later and will need to pull it back out so I can put fans on fins behind the unit. I will also put some on top at vent. On a side note after installation found out that my converter is not up to snuff so I will be replacing that as well. So look for that in a upcoming installment. Thanks for looking , Jeff & Emily.

[jeffminsc]

Originally Posted by corvettec3

I like it :-)

Thanks