Another Norcold question

[Russ Calasant]

I searched through a lot of threads and really couldnt find what I was looking for. First it's a DE461, pretty common but I gather they are no longer in production. Does anyone know if the cooling units are still available and the best place to buy? The PO was defrosting the freezer with an ice pick and heard the gas escape after hitting something. It's not evident what was hit exactly but I assume it was a cooling tube. There is not much exposed in the freezer and as I said I couldn't see any obvious holes. Is it necessary to replace the entire cooling unit or can it possibly be repaired and recharged?

 

[HUMPH]

I searched through a lot of threads and really couldnt find what I was looking for. First it's a DE461, pretty common but I gather they are no longer in production. Does anyone know if the cooling units are still available and the best place to buy? The PO was defrosting the freezer with an ice pick and heard the gas escape after hitting something. It's not evident what was hit exactly but I assume it was a cooling tube. There is not much exposed in the freezer and as I said I couldn't see any obvious holes. Is it necessary to replace the entire cooling unit or can it possibly be repaired and recharged?

I have had good luck with aaarv.net. They have great customer service.

 

[northern]

What you did should be repairable if you do not mind a bit of silver salder exposed. Call a refrigeration company and they should be able to patch the area and refill.Get ready for a 300 dollar bill. I used to use a hair dryer to defrost until I distorted some plastic.

 

[Larry]

Russ,

Check this site out, "http://www.rvcoolingunit.net" they have the whole cooling unit (everything except for the box and power supply) for you DE-461 for $735. But you have to way out repairing a 10 year old Norcold versus replacing the entire cooling system, it maybe very repairable but at what cost? It would be a tough call for me...

 

[Russ Calasant]

I have had good luck with aaarv.net. They have great customer service.

Thanks Ken, I will check it out

What you did should be repairable if you do not mind a bit of silver salder exposed. Call a refrigeration company and they should be able to patch the area and refill.Get ready for a 300 dollar bill. I used to use a hair dryer to defrost
until I distorted some plastic.

I make some bonehead moves but I didn't do it the previous owner did. Thanks for the advice, I will look into some local options.

Russ,

Check this site out, "http://www.rvcoolingunit.net" they have the whole cooling unit (everything except for the box and power
supply) for you DE-461 for $735. But you have to way out repairing a 10 year old Norcold versus replacing the entire cooling system, it maybe very repairable but at what cost? It would be a tough call for me...

Thanks, I will check it out, that's the million dollar question. 3-400 to fix, 735 to replace or 12-1500 for new better replacement. I don't want to have to take out that cabin door. So I think I'm leaning toward replace the cooling unit.

 

[Old Vet]

It's an easy fix. I've done many of them back in the day when I was active in the business.

No idea what the going rate might be now.

If you were a member at my club it would run you a case of beer.

Good luck.

 

[Russ Calasant]

It's an easy fix. I've done many of them back in the day when I was active in the business.

No idea what the going rate might be now.

If you were a member at my club it would run you a case of beer.



Good luck.

It's an easy fix to repair the hole or replace the cooling unit?

 

[Boatdave]

I replaced the cooling unit in my DE461. Took about 1.5-2 hours start to finish. Make sure you take a few pictures of the back before
taking out all the screws. This will save some time when it comes time to put her back together. The most nerve racking thing was having to carefully
unfold the new coils but just a matter of taking your time.

 

[Bucit]

I replaced the cooling unit in my DE461. Took about 1.5-2 hours start to finish. Make sure you take a few pictures of the back before
taking out all the screws. This will save some time when it comes time to put her back together. The most nerve racking thing was having to carefully
unfold the new coils but just a matter of taking your time.

I agree. I found a new cooling unit on Craigslist and I picked it up for $200. It took me about 2 hours to remove and replace. I agree, these scariest part was not to bend or fold the copper tubing when re-installing. Other than that it is a straight forward job. The fridge defiantely keeps the beers cold now.

 

[Russ Calasant]

I replaced the cooling unit in my DE461. Took about 1.5-2 hours start to finish. Make sure you take a few pictures of the back before
taking out all the screws. This will save some time when it comes time to put her back together. The most nerve racking thing was having to carefully
unfold the new coils but just a matter of taking your time.

Great idea, thank you

 

[Old Vet]

"It's an easy fix to repair the hole or replace the cooling unit?"

Repairing the hole.

I haven't worked on any of these boat fridges.....yet. It would obviously have to be pulled to gain access to the back.....to install an access fitting if it doesn't have one....vacuum it out after a patch is put over the ice pick hole...and recharge.

Maybe a couple hours....and a couple of beers.

Something I'd gladly do for any member at my club. If this fella doesn't know any fridge techs he'll have to track down a contractor to do this sort of thing.....if that's the route he wants to go. No idea what it might cost him.

 

[xravenx]

"It's an easy fix to repair the hole or replace the cooling unit?"

....vacuum it out after a patch is put over the ice pick hole...and recharge.

Curious as to what someone would use to patch a hole in an aluminum evaporator.

John

 

[Old Vet]

there are solders that an be used for patching holes in aluminum.....just need to be fairly mindful of the amount of heat used.

Believe it or not...something I've used that worked well when I didn't have any proper solder on hand was a small piece of brass shim stock laid over the hole.....then a layer of 5 minute epoxy over that. I laid the shim stock over the hole because I didn't want to risk the epoxy possibly running down into the hole perhaps causing a restriction...or complete blockage in the line. Worked great...have done that a number of times.

 

[Art]

It is my understanding that the Norcold is a sealed unit without an access fitting for evacuating and recharging. As Old Vet points out, that adding the fitting will need to be part of any repair.

The Norcold's need good ventilation and are subject to compressors seizing up due to overheating. This is why I had to replace my Norcold and I decided to go with a new Vitrifrigo DP2600, which has significantly more capacity, better compressor, and fits in the same cut space. It is a far superior unit and I am very satisfied.

I was able to get a new unit locally delivered for less than $1300. Fortunately, I did not have to contend with the salon access problems of the DA's so repairing was never a serious consideration for me.

http://www.vfsales.net/images/Spec_sheet_-_2_door.pdf

Good luck,
Art

 

[Alex F]

Thanks for posting the link, Art. I like the quick comparison they did in the end. $1,300 is a great deal, that's how much the Norcold sells for.