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Fridge is dead :( Norcold DE704 Replacement?
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jsimanella
#1 Posted : Sunday, April 26, 2009 8:09:05 AM(UTC)
jsimanella

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I'm afraid it's chilled its last beer :(

Want to stay with the 12v option - The 120v board crapped out a couple of years ago, so it's been running on 12v for a while...

Nova Kool makes 2 models that allow the use of their custom "trim kits" to directly replace the DE704.

The R3800 will fit fine. The R4500 needs about 3/4 to 1" more than I currently have (bottom, left hand corner), since the trim kit requires an extra 1"...

Best guess is this thing will run $1k to $1200. Any other options? Didn't plan on this...

I don't want to do the household refer with a separate inverter, especially if it doesn't fit right anyway. Time is money and beer is important...

Thx.

John

--
1987 32 Sedan Bridge
Twin 360s, Rebuilt 2006
Modified/Original Electronic Ignition
Raw Water Cooled
Catawba Island, Ohio
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Barkleydave
#2 Posted : Sunday, April 26, 2009 10:13:57 AM(UTC)
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Hi John,

Yup another wakeup call for us Ole Big M owners. Does Norcold make a unit to replace yours. Even if mine rolls craps tomarrow, (and gee it really could any day!) It has been a darn good unit for 22 years! Some have run even longer! If they still make one that fits the hole I think I would personally go with it!

Now many have used the 120 Volt less expensive mini fridges and I have one at home that has run for years. A couple of concerns...
1. While less money they only run on 120 Volts. So inverter time and constant draw on your house banks even at a mooring. (more demand on your battery charging system)
2. I have checked my old Norcold unit and it actually draws less amps on the inverter side than what the label states.
I am drawing 8 amps DC when using inverter. Not bad and I bet the new models draw even less! I think Jeff is running an Inverter runing one of the 120 models and he probably could advise on amp draw on DC.

So for many of us the NorCold has cost us is than 50 bucks a year for many less than that!
And you are right... warm beer is uncool!!

safe boating,
dave

None
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fastjeff
#3 Posted : Sunday, April 26, 2009 11:21:07 AM(UTC)
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Our 120 volt only minifridge draws about 2 amps DC while running--ten times that starting up. Pleased with it so far (two years).

Jeff
"...reality is not nearly as lovely as the world of Liberal Land. No wonder so many people want to go there." - Tom Sowell
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dougrose
#4 Posted : Sunday, April 26, 2009 1:38:54 PM(UTC)
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My Norcold unit is running on dc, but not on ac. Haven't had time to troubleshoot, but I have had problems with other ac switches...

I read somewhere that the unit runs on dc thanks to a built-in inverter that makes ac for the motor. If so, then using a minifridge with inveter is pretty much the same thing. I can't believe how cheap inverters (the modified square wave units) have become.


1975 32' Flybridge Sedan, twin Perkins 6-354 diesels, 1:1.53 velvetdrives, 16 X 19 props. Merritt Island, Florida
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jralbert
#5 Posted : Sunday, April 26, 2009 2:19:24 PM(UTC)
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Is this another case where a call to the mfr might get you a quick answer? Off the top of my heasd, I'd say the problem is with the ac/dc main board and they might be much cheaper than an (always overpriced) new unit. They are a cinch to install. Even I could do the job.
Joel Albert, Potomac MD
"Charlie B" - 1988 32' FBS
Twin 318's/FWC/16x15 nibral props
docked Deale, MD
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jsimanella
#6 Posted : Sunday, April 26, 2009 3:54:34 PM(UTC)
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That board runs at least $125 - too steep an investment for a 22 year old fridge. I am now glad I didn't buy it...

When mine went bad, sparks shot out the front of the fridge, along with a good deal of smoke. I wasn't to pleased with that. Unplug the AC cord, if you haven't already - no need to take chances.

Haven't decided what I'm going to do yet, but I will be deciding soon - I'm already 2 weeks behind and the boat's still in my driveway :(

Jeff - what unit did you put in? I'm guessing that you did not have the Norcold unit???

Thx.
--
1987 32 Sedan Bridge
Twin 360s, Rebuilt 2006
Modified/Original Electronic Ignition
Raw Water Cooled
Catawba Island, Ohio
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fastjeff
#8 Posted : Sunday, April 26, 2009 10:34:42 PM(UTC)
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Here's our mini-fridge before installation. I ran it off that little inverter and one battery for at least eight hours. Had to add a bit of wood to one side at the install, and a strpi at the top, but it fit nicely.

Jeff

fastjeff attached the following image(s):
fastjeff attached the following image(s): Mini-Fridge Test Setup.JPG
"...reality is not nearly as lovely as the world of Liberal Land. No wonder so many people want to go there." - Tom Sowell
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AlumiJim
#9 Posted : Sunday, April 26, 2009 11:13:26 PM(UTC)
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It's been too long for me to remember what my original fridge on my '89 32' Sedan was, I had to replace it year one, 7 years ago.

I purchased an ac/dc at West Marine that fit well, but was not as tall as the original. I raised it over an open area that allows air to circulate under the unit and out to the rear, including a couple grommets I cut in above the microwave.

Heat is the killer for all fridges, so this increased air circulation makes sense to me...

JIM


JIM
Alexandria, VA
1989 32' Sedan
'Gammelby'
Friendship, MD
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jsimanella
#10 Posted : Monday, April 27, 2009 3:15:57 AM(UTC)
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http://www.dometic.com/e...on/?productdataid=74807

http://www.dometic.com/c...8c3b-70ebc3067271.fodoc


Ordered through Riverfront. Should be in this week (hopefully). In stock, in NYC.
Will have to do a little trim work, as this unit is about 1” narrower and 3” shorter (build up to needed height).
Even though the outside dimensions are smaller, there should be as much (or more) storage inside because of newer technology.
This unit locks top and bottom, sits flush (as opposed to the door sticking out), and includes a light 

J
--
1987 32 Sedan Bridge
Twin 360s, Rebuilt 2006
Modified/Original Electronic Ignition
Raw Water Cooled
Catawba Island, Ohio
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GB49
#11 Posted : Monday, April 27, 2009 3:23:47 AM(UTC)
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John,

You want to part out the old refer? My door is cracked at the inside bottom and I think the vent grill at the bottom is a little rotted. Might be interested in spare compressor too.

I'll trade beer to fill your new refer.


-K
1986, 32' Sedan, twin 360ci, 275hp Chrysler's w/ K&N flame arrestors
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jsimanella
#12 Posted : Monday, April 27, 2009 3:27:56 AM(UTC)
jsimanella

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You know me, Karl. You don't even have to ask ;)

If you remember, I changed the front panel, though I belive the original is behind the new. I don't know if the panel will fit the new fridge, so I'd like to wait and see.

The rest of the fridge looks pretty good - even the Icebox cover is still there and the spring still works.

J

Oh, yeah. And I just cleand the damn thing, too :(
--
1987 32 Sedan Bridge
Twin 360s, Rebuilt 2006
Modified/Original Electronic Ignition
Raw Water Cooled
Catawba Island, Ohio
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