Cockpit Refrigeratior vibrates like a....

[Shaps]

My cockpit fridge, original equipment, which i believe is a Norcold DE-0740BB vibrates noticeably. It seems that it is the door itself that is rattling even though it makes a good seal. It still keeps cold and doesn't necessarily need replacing just because of the vibration BUT it is REALLY ANNOYING!
Has anyone solved this experienced / solved this vibration issue? I can't imagine i am alone with this.

Thanks!
Shaps

 

[SeasNT]

My cockpit fridge, original equipment, which i believe is a Norcold DE-0740BB vibrates noticeably. It seems that it is the door itself that is rattling even though it makes a good seal. It still keeps cold and doesn't necessarily need replacing just because of the vibration BUT it is REALLY ANNOYING!
Has anyone solved this experienced / solved this vibration issue? I can't imagine i am alone with this.

Thanks!
Shaps

Yes, very common. I'm waiting for ours to fail. Just keep beverages in it. Still keeps it all cold and ice's up during the humid months.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Often times, fans get out of balance because they get crudded up with dust/dirt. Probably wouldn't hurt to check that out and clean it and the coils.

 

[Shaps]

Often times, fans get out of balance because they get crudded up with dust/dirt. Probably wouldn't hurt to check that out and clean it and the coils.

Thanks Gents.
LD,
Any tricks to pulling the fridge out? Or just unscrew and it should pull out?

 

[Lazy Daze]

They're not all installed exactly the same, but that's pretty much it. There might be a trim piece, or something, that has to come out, first. I've never done it in your model, though. In fact, it's been so long that I've pulled one that I don't think I can be of much help there.

Just spitballin' other ideas, it might not be setting squarely on all four feet. When you get it out, if you can run it, you may be able to figure out where the vibration is coming from

 

[SeasNT]

Thanks Gents.
LD,
Any tricks to pulling the fridge out? Or just unscrew and it should pull out?

I think that is correct. My fan is clean, compressor is just a loud one. Our galley Norcold was very noisy too, replaced it with a silent and larger NovaCool.

 

[Shaps]

I think that is correct. My fan is clean, compressor is just a loud one. Our galley Norcold was very noisy too, replaced it with a silent and larger NovaCool.

Thanks @SeasNT
Thanks @Lazy Daze
Another project this weekend.

 

[Shaps]

...Just spitballin' other ideas, it might not be setting squarely on all four feet. When you get it out, if you can run it, you may be able to figure out where the vibration is coming from

It is definitely the door that is rattling.. wonder if there is a way to make it seal tighter.

 

[Lazy Daze]

It is definitely the door that is rattling.. wonder if there is a way to make it seal tighter.

I guess the question would be... is something else causing the door to rattle?

But, seals wear out over time - they get compressed and loose their flexibility.

Are the hinges tight? How about where it pivots?

 

[Pirate Lady]

I don’t see a problem. Ask the gas dock girl to sit on it. Make sure she 18.

 

[Shaps]

I guess the question would be... is something else causing the door to rattle?

But, seals wear out over time - they get compressed and loose their flexibility.

Are the hinges tight? How about where it pivots?

Good point. Thanks. I'll check and report back

 

[Tripsdad]

Good point. Thanks. I'll check and report back

I’ll be at the marina most of the weekend if you need help removing the fridge.

 

[Shaps]

I’ll be at the marina most of the weekend if you need help removing the fridge.

Thanks @Tripsdad
Much appreciated!

 

[ocgrant]

Had the issue on the one in the galley, found the nylon bushings in the hinge pivit were bad and needed to be replaced. Ordered them online and fixed it. I removed my fridge up top and replaced it with an ice maker, I have the old one in the garage, need to look at it to see if it has the same bushings. I will be home from Texas on Friday and will take a look.

 

[Shaps]

Had the issue on the one in the galley, found the nylon bushings in the hinge pivit were bad and needed to be replaced. Ordered them online and fixed it. I removed my fridge up top and replaced it with an ice maker, I have the old one in the garage, need to look at it to see if it has the same bushings. I will be home from Texas on Friday and will take a look.

Thanks @ocgrant

 

[hughespat57]

It is definitely the door that is rattling.. wonder if there is a way to make it seal tighter.

If you do pull it to clean, check the compressor mounts while you have it out. Rubber dries out and gets hard or disintegrates. Some new soft mounts may reduce the vibrations.

 

[Shaps]

Thanks Patrick.
Do you think those are easy to source? or make something?

 

[hughespat57]

Depends on size and style all kinds available google “soft vibration mounts small”
https://www.mcmaster.com/silicone-rubber-vibration-damping-mounts/

 

[bajturner]

I think that is correct. My fan is clean, compressor is just a loud one. Our galley Norcold was very noisy too, replaced it with a silent and larger NovaCool.

The compressor on our galley unit is loud also. I am considering the same upgrade this summer. Our Norcold is loud and doesn't always maintain temperature. Are you happy with the NovaCool? Did you get an RFU9000?

 

[bajturner]

I replaced our cockpit fridge with that same model (Norcold DE-0740), which was the referenced replacement to the old one. Fairly simple except the outer flange wasn't the same so some holes show, and the vent plate at the bottom is different so a new one needs to be fabricated. A trim kit would be ideal...