Norcold or Dometic Fridge

[Blaine Thorpe]

I currently have a Norcold refrigerator in the 43 that is a little low on cooling. I had it serviced when we bought the boat, but now it has warmed up a bit. I can probably resolve that this Spring.

Or, I have a chance to pick up a non functioning Dometic for cheap and see about getting it going.

If you had a preference, which would you choose?

 

[SeaEric]

Bite the bullet and replace your No-cold with a Tundra or Isotherm. When a No-Cold dies it's chronically dead, not acutely dead. Typically there is no bringing them back.

 

[Bob Bradley]

I believe the full name for the product is "Neither Cool, Norcold".

 

[krush]

I have an absorbtion Norcold in my RV, runs off propane or 120AC. It's only 5 years old, but works great and says MADE IN USA!

But a boat usually doesn't have propane, so I'd probably opt for a newer style unit that runs a compressor on 12DC.

 

[Blaine Thorpe]

Bite the bullet and replace your No-cold with a Tundra or Isotherm. When a No-Cold dies it's chronically dead, not acutely dead. Typically there is no bringing them back.

So, is the tundra a Dometic product? Looking in the old inter web, it appears it is.

 

[bobk]

Nah, it's 'Nevercold'. I replaced the guts in one, compressor and evaporator in one piece and that worked well. However, I would seriously look at a new household unit. They are well insulated and more efficient than the older household stuff. And you might even come out ahead cost wise even if you needed to add a small inverter.

Bobk

 

[Glory]

Norcold=not cold.

If you already have an inverter an AC refig might be a consideration.

 

[Blaine Thorpe]

We had an AC fridge in our 36C. It was never a problem. We didn't run the generator much on that one, just left the door closed on the longer trips.

We never run without the generator on this boat, so it probably wouldn't be a problem.

We look at all of the options, but I'd still like to have it operate without the generator.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

AC fridge running off your inverter is the cheapest and easiest to replace when the time comes. Forget that low voltage stuff. Its not necessary with inverters.

 

[Dan Mapes]

Just make sure you have some battery capacity and isolation.