Community Forums

c2sbear · 10-06-2019, 07:01 PM

I have a 2008 Four Winds Windsport with a Norcold refrigerator model N611LT. For months I've been having problems with it freezing my food/beverages. It's on the lowest setting (1) and I've moved the thermistor but it still is too cold. I've defrosted it several times when the metal fins get frozen over. I'm assuming at this point it needs to be replaced but I would like to replace it with a regular apartment size refrigerator (AC only, not a 2 way AC/propane as it is cheaper). A friend has done this with his RV (not a Four Winds) a few years back. Has anyone replaced their Four Winds with a regular refrigerator recently and can you suggest what make/model you've purchased? Any other suggestions about the current fridge are welcome. I'd like to not have to replace it but I don't think I have any choice. Thanks!

ptl · 10-06-2019, 10:37 PM

I recently replaced my Norcold fridge. Was headed camping on a Tuesday went out Monday to put some items in fridge and it was warm and had a strong smell of ammonia. I checked the size and went down to Home Depot and picked me up a magic chef 10.1 cf fridge for $358.00 and that night I had a cold fridge and went camping Tuesday.

Sweetbriar · 10-07-2019, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptl

I recently replaced my Norcold fridge. Was headed camping on a Tuesday went out Monday to put some items in fridge and it was warm and had a strong smell of ammonia. I checked the size and went down to Home Depot and picked me up a magic chef 10.1 cf fridge for $358.00 and that night I had a cold fridge and went camping Tuesday.

Installed the same fridge in my Hurricane. My problem was the crystal formation in the piping. Freezer would be into the 20's but nothing in the fridge.

For the problem as described the fridge is still working, as compared to what I and ptl encountered and but it reads as if the cooling system is not being controller. Could be the thermistor in the fridge, the control board something else. There are some simple troubleshooting steps in the attached PDF's you can try to narrow down the problem. Also add a small fan in the fridge compartment. I would sometimes freeze food on the top shelf near the cooling fins but the drawer at the bottom of the compartment was much warmer as the air does not cycle in side the fridge as it does in a residential model.

speed racer · 10-07-2019, 05:25 AM

Check your opening size and go to home depot they have a refrigerator that is the same size as the Norcold 2 door. The same refrigerator comes in different brands and they are about $300. I have installed four of these for people over the last three years. You can secure them with two lag bolt to the floor in the back.

MSHappyCampers · 10-07-2019, 08:39 AM

If you're happy with the capacity of your fridge I would see if JC Refrigeration has a compressor-type cooling unit that will fit it. You will have all the advantages of a residential fridge without the hassle of trying to make one fit your space! JMHO

Gary RVRoamer · 10-07-2019, 10:30 AM

Sounds like the Norcold is running in back-up mode, where the cooling unit operates continuously. Might be as simple as a broken thermister or faulty eyebrow board. Excessive cooling is a control problem, not a failed cooling unit.

That said, a smaller apartment size fridge is a fairly easy install if you have some basic handyman skills. It's a matter of choosing a model that fits in the space and can still fully open the door(s). Fridge manufacturers have excellent dimensions on their website, so measure up your space, both length/width/height and door-swing, and start hunting the best fit.

You will need an inverter, preferably pure sine, if you expect to power the fridge between campsite hook-ups, or camp without hook-ups. You also need enough battery amp-hours to support whatever time you will be off-grid. Some folks simply cool the fridge at home and drive to a campground with the fridge off, then plug in at arrival. It should be good for at least a few hours of travel.