Norcold DE0061

B

bbwhitejr

Well-Known Member
Apr 14, 2013
4,304
Lake Lanier GA
Boat Info
2003 420DA, 6CTAs
Engines
NA
My galley refrigerator has slowly, but progressively over the past several months gotten to where when it is 80* in the cabin, it will only cool down to around 38* with the thermostat turned wide open. Do I have any options other than to start preparing to look for a new one? It is 12 years old and likely never been pulled out.

Ideas and opinions welcomed.

Bennett
 
bbwhitejr said:
My galley refrigerator has slowly, but progressively over the past several months gotten to where when it is 80* in the cabin, it will only cool down to around 38* with the thermostat turned wide open. Do I have any options other than to start preparing to look for a new one? It is 12 years old and likely never been pulled out.

Ideas and opinions welcomed.

Bennett
Click to expand...

If all else seems to be working well in it then it may pay to try to have someone add Freon.
I had a similar issues with an even older Norcold on my old boat several years back. I remember a member here who is knowledgeable about these things recommended that I try that. I found a local appliance guy who tapped a fitting in to the line, topped off the Freon and it worked like new again. I had that boat for a few more years and never had any more problems with it.
 
Everything else works flawlessly. Just a regular appliance guy-not one with marine in his title m?

Guess I better be figuring out how to pull it out.

Thanks!
Bennett
 
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bbwhitejr said:
Everything else works flawlessly. Just a regular appliance guy-not one with marine in his title m?

Guess I better be figuring out how to pull it out.

Thanks!
Bennett
Click to expand...

Yes, it’s just a fridge so any appliance guy who works on refrigerators should be able to do it. I got lucky. There is an older guy on my canal who is an independent appliance repair guy. I saw his truck with his sign on it parked near his dock, walked over and asked him and he said sure as long as I pulled the fridge out for him. I pulled the fridge out, he took about 15 minutes to do what he had to do and I put the fridge back in.
The line was sealed, but he had a fitting (forget what he called it) that pierces and installs on the line and then stays there for future service if needed. I think he charged me about 40 or 50 bucks at the time.
I sold the boat in 2016 and the 1987 Norcold was still going strong.
The only thing I know about fridges is how to open and close them so I was ready to drop big bucks on a new one before getting some great professional advice from a user here.
Not sure if yours has the same issue, but it probably can’t hurt to ask an appliance guy.
 
It is a bullet piercing valve, costs about $4. Placed on the low pressure line allows addition of refrigerant. I did mine 4 years ago and still running strong, knock on wood.
 
After you figure out how to pull the fridge, give it a good cleaning. The coils (either on the back, or above the compressor) need good airflow to dissipate the heat. If over the years alot of of crap has built up, your efficiency goes down. See if that helps before calling the fridge guy.
 
Pulled it today. The hole it lives in as well as the coils were very clean. I am on the hunt to find someone with a bullet piercing valve and some refrigerant....

Thanks to all!

Bennett
 
Maybe George at Coastal Marine can help you out. I think he's in your neck of the woods.
 
If it has a fan on the rear coils, make sure the fan is running and at full speed. Twice I thought I was going to be buying a new fridge and twice it was just a bad fan.
 
I have a guy that will do the valve thing.

He is asking what kind of refrigerant the system is charged with. I can find an ammonia/water solution and a 134a refrigerant.

Any idea what it is charged with? I guess I will call Thetford tomorrow.

Bennett
 
bbwhitejr said:
I have a guy that will do the valve thing.

He is asking what kind of refrigerant the system is charged with. I can find an ammonia/water solution and a 134a refrigerant.

Any idea what it is charged with? I guess I will call Thetford tomorrow.

Bennett
Click to expand...

Can you look around online and download a manual for your fridge. It may say in there what refrigerant it has in it. Or, since you have it out already there may be a sticker with that info somewhere back there.
 
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