Norcold Fridge Repairs????

[BlewByYou88]

I need som ideas here. My g/f and I sat down a few nights ago to buget for the next year for what are practical, necessary purchases for boat, house, vehicles...ect. So...guess what came in with the highest expense tag? So now I'm going through practical repairs/upgrades on the boat. I know many people never cared much for the nevercolds, but since mine is still running, and still gets cold, I need to make it last at least another season.

Problem being the plastic moulding has cracked on the door. Not a big deal except the rubber door seal seats in the plastic, which is so frail, it cracks by just touching it. I called three different companies for parts, and no longer made. 2 guys said they used to have a door that could be retrofit, but they no longer offer it.

I have some ideas on how to make some temporary repairs that would no longer allow me to put anything on the door, but I'm wondering if there is anything anyone has tried that worked well?

Model: DE 251E :huh:

 

[NorCal Boater]

You can try and fix it but remember....you can't polish a turd.

When my Norcrap died I didn't have the moola for the replacement so I went to Lowe's and bought a 110v AC that fit the hole pretty well. I then wired an inverter in and a couple of golf cart batteries and the fridge will run off the batteries when away from shore power.

 

[1956olds]

there were a few on craiglist detroit last week (used),or try checker marine in lasalle michigan. mabey they will have a good used door.

 

[Old Vet]

Blew....

Would you still happen to have the pieces that have broken out of that door liner? Or are they gone to parts unknown?

Many brands of refrigerators have a metal strip that goes around the edge of the door liner......on top of that strip that's broken away on yours....and under the rubber door gasket. Something Norcold should have done but apparently hasn't.

Look under the gasket of your home fridge and you may see what I mean.

If you still have the broken pieces somewhere.....I think I'd epoxy them back in place from behind....then find myself some metal strapping approx 1/2" wide....drill some holes in it corresponding with the screw holes in your door liner....and install that under your door gasket...on all 4 sides... to reinforce and secure the liner back onto your door.

Good luck.

 

[Pack66Dad]

Taking what Old Vet said I drew up a sketch of what I thought could be done. I envisioned the old molding being completely removed and the door epoxied to a stainless steel trim ring to replace the plastic molding.

Sometimes I need to see an idea in a sketch, hope it helps.

If you think its feasible let me know I can hook you up with a sheet metal fabricator in the phoenix area to build the ring.

 

[BlewByYou88]

Taking what Old Vet said I drew up a sketch of what I thought could be done. I envisioned the old molding being completely removed and the door epoxied to a stainless steel trim ring to replace the plastic molding.

Sometimes I need to see an idea in a sketch, hope it helps.

If you think its feasible let me know I can hook you up with a sheet metal fabricator in the phoenix area to build the ring.

Thankyou sir. You guys have some good ideas. I should be able to fabricate something of this nature. Thanks for the ideas.

And while yes...I know its a turd, I'm not trying to polish it, just adding some temporary fiber to hold it together

 

[Pack66Dad]

Thankyou sir. You guys have some good ideas. I should be able to fabricate something of this nature. Thanks for the ideas.

And while yes...I know its a turd, I'm not trying to polish it, just adding some temporary fiber to hold it together

Your welcome.

Don't worry too much about that turd polishing, I think all of us who have an older boat do it to some extent.

Besides, those darn refrigerators are expensive! I wish I could have kept my working (but ugly) NorCold for a while longer. But it was on the Admirals priority list so it got changed :smt009

 

[srdancer90]

Try to locate or call Norcold,sometimes they have replacement parts available. Those doors are somewhat standard and Norcold may have the part that you need. Also if you have the frig model number you might find a parts list on the web for that model. Check this out maybe it will help http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-refrigerators/marine-truck-fridge-data.htm#DE0251
2004 320 DA
t 5.7 350 MAG mie

 

[BlewByYou88]

Try to locate or call Norcold,sometimes they have replacement parts available. Those doors are somewhat standard and Norcold may have the part that you need. Also if you have the frig model number you might find a parts list on the web for that model. Check this out maybe it will help http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-refrigerators/marine-truck-fridge-data.htm#DE0251
2004 320 DA
t 5.7 350 MAG mie

I did get in touch, factory direct....there is no hope. They guy even chuckled a little when I read off the model number. He was suprised it was still running with its original parts.

 

[BlewByYou88]

Well $h!t. That just blows half the arguments on this forum away!:smt043

 

[NorCal Boater]

Unfortunately I can't add much to the door replacement, sorry.

But...........

You can polish a turd, you guys need to watch more TV.

http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/mythbusters-polishing-a-turd.html

I stand corrected!

Scott, you are more than officially bored, Dude. You need to find something to do. Play Guitar Hero, go to Hawaii, rent some movies, build a model ship, jigsaw puzzle...

You gotta find something to do. I don't want to read about you as the guy who lost it and ended up in a bell tower with a high powered rifle. :smt009

 

[Pack66Dad]

I stand corrected!

Scott, you are more than officially bored, Dude. You need to find something to do. Play Guitar Hero, go to Hawaii, rent some movies, build a model ship, jigsaw puzzle...

You gotta find something to do. I don't want to read about you as the guy who lost it and ended up in a bell tower with a high powered rifle. :smt009

 

[BlewByYou88]

HA! Soooooooo. To my dismay I managed to find some marine store out there that just so happends to have a few of these doors left, brand new, in their original packaging for $250. WHat do ya guys think.... should I buy it?:huh:

 

[BlewByYou88]

Yes! You should purchase it, provided you realize that the instant you do, your existing fridge will no doubt croak within the next week after installing it......

But, if you think your fridge is sound, I would buy it.

:smt018 Don't say things like that, I need at LEAST one more season out of it! Then maybe I can sell the whole unit to some other poor sap out there who is to cheap to buy a brand new fridge for his old 268/270, and whatever else they used it in during those days.

 

[JVM225]

Keep an eye on Craigslist, I see them pop up on there once in a while.

 

[Pack66Dad]

HA! Soooooooo. To my dismay I managed to find some marine store out there that just so happends to have a few of these doors left, brand new, in their original packaging for $250. WHat do ya guys think.... should I buy it?:huh:

I would in a heart beat. $250 is not much, its way under my frustration/money matrix. And it would be really nice to have a new door.

 

[QT1]

You can try and fix it but remember....you can't polish a turd.

When my Norcrap died I didn't have the moola for the replacement so I went to Lowe's and bought a 110v AC that fit the hole pretty well. I then wired an inverter in and a couple of golf cart batteries and the fridge will run off the batteries when away from shore power.

I know this was an old post about the fridge, just curious how you kept the golf cart batteries charged and what location did you put them in. Thanks!

 

[NorCal Boater]

This was a while ago so I will try and remember. The '89 340 had 3 batteries. 2 start batteries and 1 house battery. I don't remember which battery I exchanged for the 2 golf carts. But I remember I had it set up to charge the batteries from the engine alternators when running or through the on-board battery charger when on shore power or genny. If you want I can go back through some old stuff and get you the info on how I did the entire system. It worked really well and cost less than $500. Let me know.

Shawn

 

[QT1]

Shawn, I truly appreciate your effort and would love to get that info. I want to do this install.

Tony

 

[NorCal Boater]

I can do this but.... Officially I am retired but this week I am doing some consulting and working from about 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM and on top of that we have out-of-town guests. Next week I am free and I will get all of tis info to you but on Monday or Tuesday if not this weekend. Hang in there with me it will be worth it.

Are your motors inboard/outboards or straight inboards? Maybe send me a couple of pics of your engine room. You can PM them to me. Also, where is your electrical panel? Maybe a pic of that as well.

Shawn