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Old 05-09-2016, 07:07 AM   #1
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Furnace removal for residential fridge

After our first trip (2004 Camelot PBDD) in mild weather it was clear the Norcold was not gonna cut it on a summer trip. After carefully measuring I do not even think I can fit a Fisher and Paykel without removing the furnace. I have read and talked to a few others that say they rarely use their furnace. We live in Texas where it rarely even reaches temps below freezing. Just curious what others without a furnace use and how well do they work. Thanks in advance.
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Old 05-09-2016, 08:04 AM   #2
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I lowered the floor about 4 inches - just above the furnace and the fridge fit perfect - We live in Texas too and during the winter we use the furnace - especially to warm the bathroom before showers in the AM. I installed the samsung - fits great
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Old 05-09-2016, 08:55 AM   #3
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docsdock

That is my dilemma also, we have camped in cooler weather and the furnace does work well since it runs of battery and propane. If furnace is removed we would be forces to run generator an use small cube heaters.

Can you describe what you did to lower the floor? How much clearance did you leave.

I've seen other posts where a metal frame was made and left open to allow for air flow. The frig then just rests on top of the metal frame.


Thanks
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Old 05-09-2016, 09:43 AM   #4
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I'm using a whirlpool wrt316 as a norcold replacement. It's only about 2" taller than norcold and less than $600 unless you add an icemaker. Only caveat is its about 5" less width. I'm installing a pantry so works out good for me.

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Old 05-09-2016, 09:45 AM   #5
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I too was short of room. My furnace was on blocks so I lowered it to the floor ( had to reroute propane and water ). I put a 3/8 metal plate above the furnace. My Samsung just fit. I was also thinking of pulling the furnace. I'm glad I didn't. I needed right around 70 in. I don't have 1/4 in to spare. What are you measuring from top of furnace to ceiling?
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Old 05-09-2016, 10:56 AM   #6
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I too was short of room. My furnace was on blocks so I lowered it to the floor ( had to reroute propane and water ). I put a 3/8 metal plate above the furnace. My Samsung just fit. I was also thinking of pulling the furnace. I'm glad I didn't. I needed right around 70 in. I don't have 1/4 in to spare. What are you measuring from top of furnace to ceiling?
Ditto on Northernaire's solution. My furnace was Suburban. That is a ZERO clearance furnace--can mount DIRECTLY onto a wooden floor. You have to cut another outlet hole in the side of the coach and fashion a cover plate to cover the upper original hole. Still, I did not have 1/4" to spare in height when installing the fridge.

BUT IF YOU CONSIDER REMOVING THE FURNACE ALTOGETHER: Since installing the Samsung RF18, we have dry-camped in cold weather several times and never used the furnace. Because of the large battery draw-down of the furnace blower, I bought a Camco "Olympian" catalytic propane heater, 8000 BTU (as I recall). Does a wonderful job, has no pilot light, stores easily, and is absolutely silent. Leaving a small opening in two windows to allow for combustion air does not significantly diminish its heating ability. Had I known about this catalytic heater before the installation, I might have eliminated the furnace altogether. With the furnace underneath, the fridge is a bit high for short women like my wife.
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Old 05-09-2016, 01:21 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by docsdock View Post
I lowered the floor about 4 inches - just above the furnace and the fridge fit perfect - We live in Texas too and during the winter we use the furnace - especially to warm the bathroom before showers in the AM. I installed the samsung - fits great

Your ceiling height is 6" taller than mine which might explain why it fit so easily.
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Old 05-09-2016, 01:25 PM   #8
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I too was short of room. My furnace was on blocks so I lowered it to the floor ( had to reroute propane and water ). I put a 3/8 metal plate above the furnace. My Samsung just fit. I was also thinking of pulling the furnace. I'm glad I didn't. I needed right around 70 in. I don't have 1/4 in to spare. What are you measuring from top of furnace to ceiling?
My furnace is also on blocks. It's 10" tall when measuring from the floor. I though about removing the blocks but an unsure how I would keep it mounted to the exterior vent panel if it was lowered. The Norcold is coming out regardless. I guess I figure it out as I go.
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Old 05-09-2016, 01:27 PM   #9
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Ditto on Northernaire's solution. My furnace was Suburban. That is a ZERO clearance furnace--can mount DIRECTLY onto a wooden floor. You have to cut another outlet hole in the side of the coach and fashion a cover plate to cover the upper original hole. Still, I did not have 1/4" to spare in height when installing the fridge.

BUT IF YOU CONSIDER REMOVING THE FURNACE ALTOGETHER: Since installing the Samsung RF18, we have dry-camped in cold weather several times and never used the furnace. Because of the large battery draw-down of the furnace blower, I bought a Camco "Olympian" catalytic propane heater, 8000 BTU (as I recall). Does a wonderful job, has no pilot light, stores easily, and is absolutely silent. Leaving a small opening in two windows to allow for combustion air does not significantly diminish its heating ability. Had I known about this catalytic heater before the installation, I might have eliminated the furnace altogether. With the furnace underneath, the fridge is a bit high for short women like my wife.
Thanks Van. That's the kind of info I am looking for.
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Old 05-09-2016, 09:25 PM   #10
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My furnace is also on blocks. It's 10" tall when measuring from the floor. I though about removing the blocks but an unsure how I would keep it mounted to the exterior vent panel if it was lowered. The Norcold is coming out regardless. I guess I figure it out as I go.
I had to refab the vent cover a bit, not a big deal. It's all worth it in the end.
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Old 05-09-2016, 09:39 PM   #11
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I installed the F&P in our 2005 Cayman without much problem. I built a frame from angle iron that holds the lowered floor for the refrigerator 1/4" above the furnace. This gave me the exact height needed while still maintaining the 2" rail at the top of the cabinet the refrigerator fits in. We have used the furnace extensively since and no problems with cycling or overheating of the furnace. Total install time took a full day but it certainly wasn't complicated. If I had room, I would be surprised if you didn't.
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Old 05-10-2016, 06:04 AM   #12
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I had to refab the vent cover a bit, not a big deal. It's all worth it in the end.
When I strip the old one out I will see what I can do. Thanks for the input.
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Old 05-10-2016, 06:05 AM   #13
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I installed the F&P in our 2005 Cayman without much problem. I built a frame from angle iron that holds the lowered floor for the refrigerator 1/4" above the furnace. This gave me the exact height needed while still maintaining the 2" rail at the top of the cabinet the refrigerator fits in. We have used the furnace extensively since and no problems with cycling or overheating of the furnace. Total install time took a full day but it certainly wasn't complicated. If I had room, I would be surprised if you didn't.
According to the brochures your ceiling in 3" higher than mine. Does not sound like much but when you need every 1/4" it helps. Thanks for the input.
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Old 05-10-2016, 06:17 AM   #14
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My advice is measure, measure, then measure again. I seemed to come up with different numbers each time I measured when we put our Whirlpool in.
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