Refrigerators

I have had Norcold in all of my boats, just replaced a 17 year old one last year with a new one. I've had no problems, but others will tell you that they are junk - I disagree.

If you want to spend almost double for a quieter unit, go with the Dometic.
 
Had to replace my Norcold in 2000 model cruiser last summer. Not the best in longevity in my opinion but not familiar with the other brand you named.
 
My 1986 vintage Norcold is still running fine -- I had to recharge one of the systems ( 2 cooling systems on my unit) about 6 years ago for $150 --otherwise no problems. Note however than my vessel only spends about 4 months annually in the water in Lake Erie.
 
I have had both. I would let the model features, size and price be your factor before brand. JMHO.
 
I would not hesitate to install an AC only refridgerator and put in my own 150 watt inverter. That gives you a huge choice of one, two or three door models in all sizes.
 
Replaced an old Norcold with Tundra and liked that worked great.
 
I just replaced a norcold (~1988) with a NovaKool. I prefered the novakool above all the other choices. My novakool has the fridge on the top, freezer on the bottom. I really like that. I've also been told that novakool has better service where I am.

The old norcold worked. My issues were noise - it was loud, and power draw. the compressor ran almost constantly.
 
Replaced the Norcold in my boat in July of '05 with an AC unit....the Norcold crapped out a month after I bought the boat...lol...bought it used, it's a '99....it's been a year and a half or so...absolutely no regrets on the AC unit (a Frigidaire frost-free), it looks great, fits perfect within the Norcold trim, just built a base to bring the fridge up to level with the opening...no inverter, stays cold (ice doesn't melt even after a hot day with no power)...my ice-maker on the bridge is AC only, so the genset is typically running anyway....plus the wife likes the A/C. Cost of fridge and materials for base was $270.

BTW - my Norcold never did really get what I would call COLD...and it sucked the life out of batteries...of course, that could be caused by it crapping out...not sure...either way, in the end it would'nt even get colder than room temp (both on AC and DC).
 
Agree fully w/ rbmitchell. A lot of folks at the marina are going that route. Even the smaller boats w/o generators are finding you can buy a ton of fuel for the price difference between a dorm fridge and a dual power.
 
My Norcold if 5 year old and working great.
Once it stopped working. Admiral said we should change it. I pulled it out and found out the electric cord was disconnected. I told her I fixed it. She was proud of me.
 
For the price of an AC/DC fridge you can install an AC fridge and an inverter to run it; you'll probably save $500-$1000. That'll run my boat all summer.
 
I just replaced my 7 year old Norcold with the same model Norcold - This is a larger unit. I know I could have saved a lot of money going with AC refer, but how are people installing/attaching the fridge? The norcold is screwed into the wood work from the front using an metal attached flange. How would one install a normal house type fridge so that it would not fall out, move around or fall onto someone during rough weather? Norcold model is DE-0061 7 cubic foot.
 
Mike, you can buy 1/16" thick x 1" wide aluminum angle from hardware stores and places like Home Depot. It comes in approximately six foot lengths that can be cut with a hack saw. You attach it to the sides of the cabinet with short sheet metal screws or pop rivets, with the other part of the angle flush with the front of the fridge, and pointing away from the fridge. Then you drill and screw it to your surrounding cabinetry (countersink your drilled holes, and use flat head screws so that the screw heads don't protrude out). If it looks like crap that way, you can then add molding over top of it, and wind up with a nice, neat professional-looking job. I did a job one time, using flexible plastic automobile side trim from Pep Boys, where you peel off the paper from the back side of it, and stick it on. Looked good when it was done, with mitered corners and all. If you're careful, you can cut it with a razor knife.
 
I had a Norcold on my chris commander 85. It gave out last year. It was a fullsize model. I couldn't get a new Marine one through the opening. I didn't know what I was going to do. They must have put the Fridg in first then put the top half of the boat on. Well I ended up going to sears and putting in an apt size one. It doesn't run on DC but didn't matter to me as I never ran it while underway. Afraid it would eat up the batteries. It works fine and I actually have more room that I did with my old one. I also saved a ton of $$$.
 
Thanks Vic - I guess I was over thinking things - I like the simple approach - next time I will do some extra thinking and research instead of just buying the same model.

Very expensive lesson learned.
 
For the money you save, you can afford to be creative!!!
 
I've had good results with the Weaeco. It uses the quiet Danfos compressor with a built in cooling fan. I like
the door. It locks on the top and bottom.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top