Community Forums

MaggieandBar · 02-23-2021, 04:43 PM

We would like to replace our perfectly functional Norcold refrigerator with a residential one. We would like to hear about what others have done.

Thank you.

96 Wideglide · 02-23-2021, 05:30 PM

Welcome to the forum

!

Kinda surprised you got a Norcold, when lower models of that year got Dometic NDA1402's !

Eratosthenes · 02-23-2021, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieandBar

We would like to replace our perfectly functional Norcold refrigerator with a residential one. We would like to hear about what others have done.

Thank you.

We went to Shipshewana, IN and had our Norcold converted into an "Amish fridge."

Basically, the fridge is removed, the back of the fridge is removed and replaced with a higher quality Amish manufactured cooling elements. The good news is our fridge is now very cold and much safer! Also, it is much cheaper than buying a full fledged residential fridge.

We also had a great time learning more about the Amish!

Good Luck!

Jon

Eratosthenes · 02-23-2021, 07:10 PM

Here is a link to a previous thread about the Amish fridge conversion that we had done by JC Refrigeration.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/jc-refrigeration-installed-residential-conversion-to-norcold-1200-a-460845.html

Good Luck!

Jon

Eratosthenes · 02-23-2021, 07:16 PM

BTW, the link for JC Refrigeration:

https://jc-refrigeration.com/

Outbound · 02-23-2021, 08:31 PM

Welcome to the forum, is there a reason you are looking to replace your working refrigerator.

vito.a · 02-24-2021, 11:20 AM

In the 2008 Dynasty a residential refrigerator was still an option. It came standard with a 12CF Norcold, but many owners ordered the residential option.

Many of us have installed a residential refrigerator in our coaches. You have all the basic support items already. Even the electrical plug behind your refrigerator has both a house power and an inverter powered plug.
I installed a Samsung RF18 residential refrigerator. My wife says this is by far the best thing we have ever done to our motor home.
The Samsung fridge came in through the front door with the refrigerator doors removed. The Home Depot delivery guys carried it in for us. (We bought them lunch).
Your 2008 Dynasty has an 84" interior height so your install will be relatively easy.

Here is a detailed thread on our install:
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/sam...re-356096.html
Because of your taller ceiling your install will be much easier.

rpasetto · 02-25-2021, 03:12 PM

+1 on the Samsung. We put an RF197 in our 03 Dynasty back in '13. I like the convenience of the french-door style better than the side-by-side in our Sig... If it was a Norcold I would have changed over to an rf18.

shootist · 02-25-2021, 08:56 PM

Fisher Paykel would be a far better option than the Samsung. Look up the Samsung failure rates. I went with a jc 120v pump conversion unit on my norcold. Now it's a house style fridge.

MaggieandBar · 02-27-2021, 09:58 AM

I appreciate your answers. This is our 8th motorhome, the last one being a new Tiffin in 2015. We liked the residential fridge it was equipped with primarily because of its size. In 2018 we bought the Dynasty which had the Norcold we will be replacing. We are still investigating what to buy.

rpasetto · 02-27-2021, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieandBar

I appreciate your answers. This is our 8th motorhome, the last one being a new Tiffin in 2015. We liked the residential fridge it was equipped with primarily because of its size. In 2018 we bought the Dynasty which had the Norcold we will be replacing. We are still investigating what to buy.

I don't know too much about the newer Dynasty's cabinet layout. When I replaced my Norcold in our 03 Dynasty, the cabinet had a drawer box under the reefer which I removed. The Samsung RF197, which went in at floor level, was a few inches higher than the old Notcold so the drawer fronts "morphed" into cabinet doors for a cabinet above the Samsung. I took the passenger seat out of the way and swung the entry door forward for clearance. The old Notcold went out in pieces; the Samsung came in, its doors removed, with the help of a neighbor.

Our Samsung worked fine from 2013 when it was installed up to a year ago when we sold the Dynasty. I've heard others have had difficulties. One of the reasons for the choice of Samsung, aside from the fit, was it converts input power to DC internally, so it worked OK with the 'modified' sine wave in our coach.

paul65k · 02-27-2021, 11:47 AM

One thing I've never seen on any forums........... I removed my absorption fridge and replaced it with a residential unit and wish I had never done it!!!

Just sayin'

pduggs · 02-27-2021, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul65k

One thing I've never seen on any forums........... I removed my absorption fridge and replaced it with a residential unit and wish I had never done it!!!

Just sayin'

Why?

maint1 · 02-28-2021, 09:38 AM

You might also look at the Haier model HRQ16N3BGS. It has two doors top amd two doors on the bottom. Makes it easy to open the doors when the slides are in. Doesn't have an ice maker but I was done dealing with the problems I had with my last ice maker. Haier bought out GE several years ago so getting service is fairly easy. It's slightly taller than the Norcold but 30% bigger, and it's cold when the temperatures get over 90 degrees.