Norcold

[topgun2]

I just heard today that Norcold is entering bankruptcy and intends to liquidate all of its assets.  Apparently the sale of these assets will not cover their remaining liabilities.

If this can be confirmed and you have a Norcold fridge (or anything else for that matter) now just might be a good time to stock up on any spare parts you think you might need for the future. 

Bill

[Ronbrink]

Seems the control boards would be good stock, given that several owners have replaced them. Anyone know if Oliver installed more than one Norcold model and the part number(s) to share? Also, thoughts on any other parts to consider. I would like to keep my ‘dinosaur’ from extinction! 

Edited Wednesday at 01:50 PM by Ronbrink

[routlaw]

Yes just read an article about this on Apple News a couple of days ago. Meant to post and link the story but have been busy with some house projects and forgot to do so. Don’t recall all of the specifics but Bill is correct they are in bankruptcy.

[John Dorrer]

Our 2022 LE2 has a Norcold Absorption fridge. At one point there was a switch from Dometic Absorption to Norcold.

 

We had an issue diagnosed as an AC Element failure. It was covered by Norcold's warranty and replaced at a Norcold approved RV Dealer.

We were able to use DC when we were plugged into shore power or LP, so it didn't affect or use of the fridge.

This topic will hopefully provide some good suggestions.

 

For now, I will be interested in what others have to say. I would have no idea what to stock up on.

 

Will RV Dealers be able to stock items? Norcold would only ship the AC Element to an approved Norcold Dealer that I selected. They let me know they had the part and scheduled an appointment back in 2023.

 

[Rivernerd]

14 minutes ago, John Dorrer said:

For now, I will be interested in what others have to say. I would have no idea what to stock up on.

Me too.  We have a Norcold refrigerator in our 2022 Elite II.  What parts have failed in the past, that I may wish to buy,  just in case?

[John Dorrer]

https://rvbusiness.com/66-year-old-supplier-norcold-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy/

 

 

[Rivernerd]

One can hope that the potential Norcold successor, Dave Carter & Associates, will take over production facilities and will keep making replacement parts.  That said, I still would like to know what parts have failed in the past that may be worth buying...

[topgun2]

About 10 minutes ago I sent Mike Sharpe in Oliver Service an email requesting that he (or someone at Oliver) take a look at Service records on these Norcold fridges in order to see if there is any insight into possible repair parts that might be useful to stock.

I'll post back here if Mike (or someone else at Oliver) has the time to do this for us.

Bill

[topgun2]

OK - below is the text that I received back from Mike Sharpe.

Certainly appreciate his quick response!

Bill

"Hey Bill, 

 

Those fridges were discontinued a while back so the parts for it may even be hard to find. However, the boards would be the parts that I would look for. 

 

Regards,"

 

Mike Sharpe

OLIVER SERVICE AND PARTS

[topgun2]

OOPS!

Mike also included a PDF with Norcold parts list in case anyone needs and/or wants it.  See below - 

Bill

 

PARTS LIST N412 for Norcold Fridge.pdf

[Snackchaser]

No worries yet!  Not all is lost!  There are already companies making aftermarket parts and I’m sure there will be more coming because these units are used all over the world and there is still a demand for parts.

I wouldn’t rush out to buy new spare boards without first checking what aftermarket parts are available for your model.  Companies like Dinosaur Electronics already sell generic replacement DC boards that fit most Norcold units.  Even Amazon carries an aftermarket power board.  

I’ve previously posted about an Oregon company IFiXiFi that makes quality aftermarket freezer door hinges that are also known to fail and have not been otherwise available.  

Cheers! Geoff

Edited 5 hours ago by Snackchaser

[dhaig]

@Snackchaser/Geoff,

Your comment about a third party source for freezer door hinges is very timely.  The stops on the freezer hinges of our Norcold refrigerator failed on a trip last weekend.  Much appreciated.

Regards, Don

[Snackchaser]

1 hour ago, dhaig said:

Your comment about a third party source for freezer door hinges is very timely.  The stops on the freezer hinges of our Norcold refrigerator failed on a trip last weekend.  Much appreciated

Don, 

Take a look at the post "Norcold fridge hinge availibility issues."  There are some alternate solutions and links to videos to install new hinges, which otherwise can be tricky.  Also note that the IFiXiFi aftermarket hinges don't have the stop that prevents the door from opening greater than 90 degrees.  Personally, I think that's a good thing because that's what caused mine to break in the first place.   The IFiXiFi hinges have  good springs that holds the door tightly closed.

This Dometic hinge installation video was really helpful and it is simular to the Norcold design.