Norcold removed from 330 Sundancer in 15 mins.

greglwood

greglwood

New Member
Aug 20, 2018
20
Columbia, TN
Boat Info
1998 330DA
Engines
7.4L 454 V-Drives
It's not a joke. I removed my refrigerator Norcold DE-541 in 15 mins using only a phillips and slotted screwdriver. No cutting, removing compressor, etc. Fits right thru the door.

The key to this is to remove the face frame, plate, bezel, trim, what ever you want to call it. It will remove a few inches from the depth of the unit.

So here is what I did in order.
1. Pop off all screw covers.
2. Removed all screws from trim.
3. Removed Hinges to remove the front door.
4. Removed two screws and pull out on/off temp panel. (probably no necessary but I did)
5. pull unit out of opening.
6. unplug unit
7. removed dc wires. (I lied, forgot I used pliers to loosen nuts here)
8. Break notches and pry away from two faced tape that holds trim on
9. Pull trim off.
10. Wrap in blanket
11. lift up and out the doorway.

A couple of notes:
1. Pic included to illustrate the notches. Note tape seems to only be under section the notice is in. Pic does not really show it well but there is a groove right before the notch.
2. When going thru door I was not able go at a 45 degree angle up. Instead you need to go straight up until bottom of refrigerator is almost even with top of doorway, then up and out. Door way opening gets wider at the top and opening extends over stairs.

refrigerator.jpg
 
Have you put the new one in yet.

My removal was the same very easy. The replacement norcold fridge is just a little bigger so going through the cabin way it was work to get it in.
 
Joint Custody said:
Have you put the new one in yet.

My removal was the same very easy. The replacement norcold fridge is just a little bigger so going through the cabin way it was work to get it in.
Click to expand...

I have not put the new one it, it is on order. I am replacing it with the Vitrifrigo C115IBD4-F-1.
 
Do your self a big favor.

On most of the new fridges you cant take off the flange.

At home depot they sell a thick paper .. its on the paint aisle. Once you pull the dash bulk head and the door out. Tape this paper all around the opening that way you wont rip any of the upholstery when going back in. Also tape all sharp edges of the new one. I also would spend the money on getting all new door rollers as when you have the door out that is the best time to replace them . Also when you get the new fridge plug it in at home to 110 and 12 volt. That way you will insure that all is working fine.

This is about a four hour project.
 
Joint Custody said:
Do your self a big favor.

On most of the new fridges you cant take off the flange.

At home depot they sell a thick paper .. its on the paint aisle. Once you pull the dash bulk head and the door out. Tape this paper all around the opening that way you wont rip any of the upholstery when going back in. Also tape all sharp edges of the new one. I also would spend the money on getting all new door rollers as when you have the door out that is the best time to replace them . Also when you get the new fridge plug it in at home to 110 and 12 volt. That way you will insure that all is working fine.

This is about a four hour project.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. On the fridge i bought the flange does come off. They sell a different flange just for a DE-541 replacement. Their's is just a little narrower and the new flange makes up the difference. The flange can also be mounted with the door flush or protruding.
 
Hello - is the Vitrifrigo C115IBD4-F-1 the only model that you found to replace the Norcold DE541? Did you have to remove any of the cabin trim or door to remove and bring in the replacement unit? I can find several AC/AC units that match the DE541 dimensions, but am concerned about the cabin opening. I have a 1998 Sea Ray Express Cruiser. It appears the Norcold unit is original equipment. Thanks!
 
greglwood said:
Thanks for the info. On the fridge i bought the flange does come off. They sell a different flange just for a DE-541 replacement. Their's is just a little narrower and the new flange makes up the difference. The flange can also be mounted with the door flush or protruding.
Click to expand...
greglwood said:
Thanks for the info. On the fridge i bought the flange does come off. They sell a different flange just for a DE-541 replacement. Their's is just a little narrower and the new flange makes up the difference. The flange can also be mounted with the door flush or protruding.
Click to expand...

Hi, I have a 1995 Sundancer. My DE541 just went out. Did you succeed in replacing yours with the Vitrifrigo C115IBD4-F-1?
 
Hey guys,
The OP hasn't been on this forum in 2 years, shortly after he made this post.
 

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Hey Todd,
Thanks for the heads up. Have you had issues with your fridge?
I need to know if the Vitrifrigo C115IBD4-F-1 will 1) fit through the doorway and 2) not get two blocked from hitting the inside of the hull on the right side if it is pushed in flush.

Jim
 
tdschafer said:
Hey guys,
The OP hasn't been on this forum in 2 years, shortly after he made this post.
Click to expand...
Maybe the fridge dropped on his head when he tried to take it down into the cabin? For what its worth, I replaced my 330 fridge with a NovaKool 5810 and it fit down the doorway with flange and door removed. VERY tight fit and is a two person job. I did it by myself and that was stupid.
 
Creekwood said:
Maybe the fridge dropped on his head when he tried to take it down into the cabin? For what its worth, I replaced my 330 fridge with a NovaKool 5810 and it fit down the doorway with flange and door removed. VERY tight fit and is a two person job. I did it by myself and that was stupid.
Click to expand...

This info is worth a lot. For one it is a larger fridge 5.8cf vs. 4.5cf. I would like to be certain that your door opening in the 1997 is the same as my 1995. Would you know that info? And, this NovaKool is deeper than the original Norcold 541. Did it hit the inside of the hull before going flush to the opening.
 
Idraw3D said:
This info is worth a lot. For one it is a larger fridge 5.8cf vs. 4.5cf. I would like to be certain that your door opening in the 1997 is the same as my 1995. Would you know that info? And, this NovaKool is deeper than the original Norcold 541. Did it hit the inside of the hull before going flush to the opening.
Click to expand...

The door opening on the 1995 to 1999 330's is the same.

I found the NovaKool idea from a thread posted by another 330 owner. I will see if I can search it for you. UPDATE Found the post:
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php...about-a-1996-330-sundancer.50925/#post-572910



The fridge opening in the boat had to be cut back about 1/2 inch at the top to fit. Jigsaw and a lot of blades (that galley is 3/4 plywood with fiberglass. Very strong). At the back of the opening is a stringer that impedes the fridge fitting back all the way, but you can bang in the back of the fridge in that area to fit on top of the stringer. That area of the fridge is just foam insulation covered with aluminum skin. The pumps etc are mounted on top so nothing to damage. My boat was built in Knoxville Tennessee and I think the Florida boats had a different stringer layout that might mean fitting issues on those boats.

There may be smaller fridges that will fit, but I love the extra space I have now. It makes a huge difference in how much it holds vs the OEM one.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for that info. I noticed that the Norcold DE541 as installed had a banged up corner on the low right side. The inside of the hull rises up slightly over the with of the fridge.
 
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