Anyone replace Norcold fridge with Isotherm?

[Kathy Tewart]

2022 EII hull 1095-we are facing either repairing Norcold fridge or replacing with Isotherm or other 12 V fridge. We are leaning toward a 12V and wondering if anyone has any experience with this.  I have a ticket to Oliver asking for advice but seeking information from other owners. Thanks in advance 

[SeaDawg]

Much depends on how much the Norcold repairs will cost you. Unfortunately,  I think you're about three months out of their warranty. What's the problem, and what's the fix?

We replaced our Norcold (2008) with a dometic. When the dometic cooling unit failed, we replaced our Dometic with a Truckfridge tf130, similar to the isotherm, but no rvia or coast guard approval. It has worked very well for a number of years. And, much less expensive than the isotherm. 

Do you have solar? What batteries? If you routinely camp with hookups, no worries about the 60 to 70 ah daily draw of a dc fridge.

 

 

[SeaDawg]

A thread for your reading pleasure .

Many older owners have done the swap, with a few different brands.

 

Edited July 20 by SeaDawg

[John Dorrer]

Kathy, I would think the swap would be fairly easy. The big things would be capping the propane line, wiring for AC/DC, insulating, and covering one or both vents on the backside of the vent.

 

I would look very closely at the drawer fridge/freeze. Not sure who makes it, but being a lento open it without loosing all the cold like the current fridge do when you open it.

Edited July 26 by John Dorrer
typo

[Kathy Tewart]

5 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

Kathy, I would think the swap would be fairly easy. The big things would be capping the propane line, wiring for AC/DC, insulating, and covering one or both vents on the backside of the vent.

 

I would look very closely at the drawer fridge/freeze. Not sure who makes it, but being a lento open it without loosing all the cold like the current fridge do when you open it.

Thanks John-I talked to Mike at Oliver and the fit is not exact-some fiberglass work would be required and a platform built to support it. We are kind of in a pickle because Norcold discontinued the model and does not have any replacement parts.  Looking at the same model on ebay, might go with that.  Wish us luck!

[jd1923]

8 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

The big things would be capping the propane line...

This phrase caught my eye. If the LP line is in the area of the fridge that vents ONLY outside, then this is OK not best. I've read some about this fridge needing an interior vent, then not OK at all.

Best installation would be to remove the gas line T-coupling down at the frame below the cabin and replace it with a straight coupling. This way there is absolutely no chance of LP leak into the cabin interior. 

[John Dorrer]

10 hours ago, jd1923 said:

This phrase caught my eye. If the LP line is in the area of the fridge that vents ONLY outside, then this is OK not best. I've read some about this fridge needing an interior vent, then not OK at all.

Best installation would be to remove the gas line T-coupling down at the frame below the cabin and replace it with a straight coupling. This way there is absolutely no chance of LP leak into the cabin interior. 

That is probably the best and safest way to go. I wasn't clear with my comment.🙃

[SeaDawg]

21 hours ago, Kathy Tewart said:

Thanks John-I talked to Mike at Oliver and the fit is not exact-some fiberglass work would be required and a platform built to support it. We are kind of in a pickle because Norcold discontinued the model and does not have any replacement parts.  Looking at the same model on ebay, might go with that.  Wish us luck!

Hard to believe no parts available for a fridge that's barely over two years old.

Have you heard that from Thetford/Norcold?

[C&MCurrie]

I replaced my Norcold with the Isotherm. Was a little involved, especially removing the Norcold from my Elite I. If sometime you happen to be in the NW Florida area, you’re welcome to have the Norcold I removed. 

[Kathy Tewart]

On 7/29/2024 at 4:02 PM, C&MCurrie said:

I replaced my Norcold with the Isotherm. Was a little involved, especially removing the Norcold from my Elite I. If sometime you happen to be in the NW Florida area, you’re welcome to have the Norcold I removed. 

Thanks for the offer!

[Kathy Tewart]

21 hours ago, SeaDawg said:

Most people add their trailer year and hull #, and to vehicle info. It's there when you ask questions, so folks know what is what.

Up to you, but you'll often get better answers from folks with your year trailer.

 

 

On 7/27/2024 at 3:52 PM, SeaDawg said:

Hard to believe no parts available for a fridge that's barely over two years old.

Have you heard that from Thetford/Norcold?

We had a mobile tech out to look at it and since the part was under warrenty they contacted Norcold on out behalf