Replacing Refer Cooling Unit

[Craig P.]

I am replacing my Norcold cooling unit with one of the Amish built units. While I have the refer out, I figured it would probably be a good idea to replace the cooling fans and the fan switch.

The RV Cooling Unit Warehouse (Amish cooling unit dealer) sells the fans for $50 each and the switch for $10. Fair enough for the fan switch but seems a little high for the fans. Does anyone know of a less expensive source? They look like computer cooling fans to me. I don’t want cheap quality but I don’t want to spend more than I have to either.

Thanks.

Craig

[Sammie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig P. I am replacing my Norcold cooling unit with one of the Amish built units. While I have the refer out, I figured it would probably be a good idea to replace the cooling fans and the fan switch. The RV Cooling Unit Warehouse (Amish cooling unit dealer) sells the fans for $50 each and the switch for $10. Fair enough for the fan switch but seems a little high for the fans. Does anyone know of a less expensive source? They look like computer cooling fans to me. I don’t want cheap quality but I don’t want to spend more than I have to either. Thanks. Craig

Craig, When I did my cooling unit replacement I used these fans Digi-Key - 259-1490-ND (Manufacturer - MEC0381V3-000U-A99) as they were as close as I could find to the original fans. The original fans are Mechatronics .36 amp, 12 volt. After I completed the installation I realized that the original fans are ball bearing and the ones I installed are bushing bearing. Now I wished that I would have installed the originals as they are probably a better fan. The fans that RV Cooling Unit Warehouse sells I believe are the original type but you may be able to find them elsewhere.

You might want to install three fans like I did as I'm sure it will be a plus on those days when it's hot outside. Also make sure to use the instant foam when sealing the cooling pack back in place. By the way, I'm super happy with my Norcold now that I have the Amish Built cooling unit installed. Here's my installation video just in case you haven't seen it.

Good Luck,
Sammie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgjDl5nwPMo

[Craig P.]

Thanks Sammie.

Your's was one of the videos that I looked at when I was deciding whether to attempt the install myself or not.

My unit came with a tube of sealant as well as a can of expanding foam, so I'll make sure my RV tech uses them. By the way, I stumbled across a mobile RV tech that said he will do the install for $400, which is $275 less than the lowest quote I've received thus far. Although he's never installed or seen one of the Amish units before, he said he's installed dozens of factory replacement cooling units.

Thanks again.

Craig

[Mr_D]

I went to Best Buy and bought a ball bearing computer case fan. It's three speeds so you need to figure out which wires to connect. I need to check mine but it's 34° out right now and almost midnight.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig P. Thanks Sammie. Your's was one of the videos that I looked at when I was deciding whether to attempt the install myself or not. My unit came with a tube of sealant as well as a can of expanding foam, so I'll make sure my RV tech uses them. By the way, I stumbled across a mobile RV tech that said he will do the install for $400, which is $275 less than the lowest quote I've received thus far. Although he's never installed or seen one of the Amish units before, he said he's installed dozens of factory replacement cooling units. Thanks again. Craig

Wow, for $400 I'd do it for you! It takes just a couple hours (4 if you've never done one before) so you're paying at least $100 an hour.

[Craig P.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D I went to Best Buy and bought a ball bearing computer case fan.

What did you pay for it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D Wow, for $400 I'd do it for you! It takes just a couple hours (4 if you've never done one before) so you're paying at least $100 an hour.

$100 an hour is what the vast majority of RV techs/mechanics charge.

I have a bad back, so come over and do it then!

[paz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig P. I am replacing my Norcold cooling unit with one of the Amish built units. While I have the refer out, I figured it would probably be a good idea to replace the cooling fans and the fan switch. The RV Cooling Unit Warehouse (Amish cooling unit dealer) sells the fans for $50 each and the switch for $10. Fair enough for the fan switch but seems a little high for the fans. Does anyone know of a less expensive source? They look like computer cooling fans to me. I don’t want cheap quality but I don’t want to spend more than I have to either. Thanks. Craig

You can probably find the fans cheaper, but make sure you get ball bearing fans as suggested by Mr_D. I used a less expensive sleeve bearing fan for ventilation in the overhead electronics cabinet in the front of the motorhome, and the fan started to howl when the sleeve bearing went bad after several months. You don't want to be pulling the Norcold out from the wall to replace one of the fans if you can avoid it.

[HD4Mark]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig P. fans for $50 each... seems a little high for the fans

For $50 each they should supply a tube of KY jelly to go with them 'cause they are sticking to you.

I replaced ours with PC fans from Amazon that were about $20 for four.

Since then we have given up on the Norcold and replaced it with a residential fridge. Still have two of the fans in the vent stack though and they still work last time I switched them on but don't really need them.

[RCtime]

Craig

Have you found a different mobile service to install the Amish unit?
You were talking about the Exo mobile repair before.

Please let us know how the installation goes.

Ron

[Sammie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig P. I am replacing my Norcold cooling unit with one of the Amish built units. While I have the refer out, I figured it would probably be a good idea to replace the cooling fans and the fan switch. The RV Cooling Unit Warehouse (Amish cooling unit dealer) sells the fans for $50 each and the switch for $10. Fair enough for the fan switch but seems a little high for the fans. Does anyone know of a less expensive source? They look like computer cooling fans to me. I don’t want cheap quality but I don’t want to spend more than I have to either. Thanks. Craig

Craig, I went online today and found this RS Electronics Catalog | Fans/Blowers | DC Tubeaxial Fans | 4.69' sq. x 1.5' deep (120mm x 38mm) | F1238M12B-FSR (Mechatronics Fans) which appears to be the exact part # as my old original Mechatronics fans that I removed from my Norcold refer when doing my new cooling unit installation.

Sammie

[Craig P.]

Thanks Sammie. Excellent price too!

Craig