N0-cold nx8 replacement with 12 v Compressor unit

[solarwind]

I have now decided given we are into February and it will only be a couple of months or so before we get the rig ready for the season. I have had my fill with this no-cold NX8 pretend fridge and have decided to go with a 12 volt compressor fridge.

What should i buy?
What should i look out for as far as installations?
How difficult or easy should it be?
As far as power to the new unit should I wire it to the panel or directly from the battery with an inline fuse?

Who has done this and how reliable and quickly do they cool down?

randy
2022 Jayco 28 BHS

[motts461]

I used these guys a year ago and I have the same refrigerator.

https://jc-refrigeration.com/

So far so good. I had them install it. It's not that much more.

[solarwind]

Unfortunately for me Im in Ontario Canada.

randy

[David 70]

I was looking on their site and they had no mention of shipping to Canada one way or the other. Have you contacted them? It is an easy diy install.

[solarwind]

Oh Joy, possible tariffs by the time i can get a new unit in from the States. I'm in Canada.

One last attempt at this. I was thinking of putting a fan in the chimney at the top since the one i installed in the bottom is all but useless. (That's where the instructions said too). Can someone recommend one for the upper vent near the roof as I'm assuming that's where they should be to induce more draft past the fins?

Some people install an fan system inside the fridge on the fins. Which is better and what is out there in that respect?

Randy

[David 70]

How warm/cold do the compartments stay? If the cooling is really bad, then all the fans in the world won't help. Is there any indication of refrigerant leaking? When I replaced my cooling unit, I found the mastic between the cooling unit and the cooling plates was burnt and rock hard. I wondered after if just replacing that mastic would have cured my problem. With it in the shape it was there was no way it could have transferred any heat. It would just be a guessing game to try that approach.

[solarwind]

Dave, this unit from day one would not work properly. If outside temp was 55 or 60 degF, the unit would cool down to 32 if i wanted but the minute outside temp is 80, the inside would be lucky to get to 50 inside. The local dealer up here had the rig when brand new for six weeks and wasnt able to fix the problem and of course Jayco washed their hands of it. We dont have lot of dealers up here in southwestern Ontario and some of them are a year behind in service requests. I see no leaking around any of the components and they get hot when in use. shorepower is a bit of a joke as well. We have NO mobile RV repair people here .

A new unit im finding out will cost me a fortune and if these tarrifs hit even more. Really sucks when you put that kind of money into a rig to have this happen. I even have an 8 year extended on all appliances but again i cant afford to loose the season waiting for a service window to open.

randy

[d23haynes57]

Maybe you should drive to NY, get a fridge installed and then drive home.

[solarwind]

d23haynes57............Really? I hope you re just being silly.

randy

[David 70]

I understand a bit better now. If you are not handy at diy, then you are at the mercy of the dealers. I didn't realize it was that hard up there. As to recommendation on a particular model I can't advise. You would have to check and see what is available in your area. Hook it directly to the batteries with an inline fuse. Does it really get to 80 up there? I know, just kidding. People form the south can't believe we actually go outdoors in June here in southern Minnesota. I know w guy here always told people from warmer climates always bring a parka and shorts even in the summer when they would come to visit him.

[solarwind]

Dave, im cool with DIY but i dont want to do something that has no bearing on the outcome. The cooling unit in the back is hotter on propane than Shore power but both do get hot. The freezer is always working and freezes rather well, its the interior of the fridge. I have replaced the Thermistor and placed it upon the 10 fin according to Norcold. Should it be at the top, middle or bottom of the fin or does it even matter?

I Have placed a small fan in the bottom of the unit on the outside blowing up but i dont think it really does anything there So im thinking of going up on the roof and installing one up there at the top of the chimney. I need some product advice on that. Like i said above, I have seen interior fans that mount on the fins. Do they work?

There is no restriction in the chimney that i can tell. Fridge works fine when the outside ambient temp is 60 or below but when the temp rises so does the fridge yet the freezer stays very cold.

Very Frustrating and up here in Ontario a replacement starts at well over three grand for a cheap unit.

randy

[David 70]

Here is what the compartment looked like when I removed mine. It may be upside down I've tried several things to get it right. Most use those small 12v fans to help circulate more air. I have used the smaller house fans, but they didn't help much usually. I haven't looked much at Dometic ones as I neve the nevercold. If i understood it when I was checking the freezer has priority over the fridge part. The cooling gasses go to that first then the fridge. I don't have much more info other than these things just aren't vheap no matter when it comes to fixing.

[solarwind]

Im looking for a fan kit that goes into the top of the roof vent to induce draft in the chimney


randy

[SteveJ.]

Something to verify is correct fridge installation. It seems a lot of factory installs are done poorly, directly affecting fridge performance in a not good way.