It may be time to replace the cabin refrigerator

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
Possible/Probable winter project:

The original/factory cabin refrigerator on my boat is not keeping the beers nice and cold, the cockpit one is. I searched here as well as the internet and get mixed results on how to remove/reinstall and what make/model to go with.

For those of you who have done this I am curious to hear your story, the gotchas, didn't think about that, etc.

  • Is there anything I can do temporary and/or to get more life out of it?
  • I think I will need to remove the sliding cabin entry door...ugh.
  • Any reason I cannot use the cockpit refrig for now (leave it on 24 X 7 even when not on the boat) ? Other than it's hot in the cockpit and it will have to work harder.
  • Make/Model you went with?
  • Features you added in the upgrade/replacement? For example a light inside would be nice.
  • An alert/notification on my phone when I am getting low on beer...
If this discussion is on another thread please refer me to that thread.

Thanks
 
My original Norcold lasted 17+ years. So I upgraded to the latest model of Norcold that would fit. I didn't have to remove the cabin door on mine, but of course my setup would be different than on your 380. The new fridges are whisper quiet as compared to the old ones.

...Literally, they sound like a whisper, and not a Creepy Joe whisper.
 
Can you get more life out of it? That depends on what the issue is. There is no port to add freon if it is low. I tried adding what is called a bullet piercing valve to an old norcold to add freon and go another 6 months out of it. If you are planning to keep the boat for years, I would go with a Isotherm, Vitrifrigo, or Nova Kool. I loved the Nova Kool with I had it. NorCold will likely be the cheapest way to go.

As for the cockpit refrigerator running 24/7, I have always run them like that and never had an issue. It is amazing they can sit there in 100*+ heat and run like the wind.

Bennett
 
My fridge and freezer are 20 years old if they go……. Just bite the bullet and replace them….. they owe you nothing
 
Blueone said:
My fridge and freezer are 20 years old if they go……. Just bite the bullet and replace them….. they owe you nothing
Click to expand...
It's not about the cost of a new one. It's about how painful it will be to remove the old one and reinstall the new one; simply trying to avoid the pain by extending its life, or get tips on how to reduce the pain. Especially removing the sliding/roller door.
 
mrsrobinson said:
It's not about the cost of a new one. It's about how painful it will be to remove the old one and reinstall the new one; simply trying to avoid the pain by extending its life, or get tips on how to reduce the pain. Especially removing the sliding/roller door.
Click to expand...
You have to remove them to fix them….. if it’s something simple go for it……. Odds are just replace them
 
mrsrobinson said:
It's not about the cost of a new one. It's about how painful it will be to remove the old one and reinstall the new one; simply trying to avoid the pain by extending its life, or get tips on how to reduce the pain. Especially removing the sliding/roller door.
Click to expand...
Really that’s how you roll?…..
 
Yeah, that is how I roll...why spend 2-3 weekends on this project if i do not have to?

You ever watched a video on how difficult it is to remove this thing in my boat? Why would I go thru all of that if there is another solution, for example to extend it's life? Or maybe someone here figured out a clever, easier way to remove it, thus my post. Oh, and I will probably be doing this by myself, do you want to come help me? Free pizza and beer...
 
It's still cooling to some degree, I need to put a thermometer in there to see the temperature, but beers definitely aren't very cold.
 
In my experience you can put a schrader valve on and add in refrigerant and sealer. But as mentioned, it will get you through the season if your lucky. Possibly change the thermostat and get some more time, maybe.

If you need to pull it out to fix, then just replace it. Not many choices. Either this season or next.

EDIT: Are you keeping the AC on when you leave? If not and the cabin temp gets hot and the fridge is still on trying to cool, it's not going to last very long, even if new.
 
The freezer keeps ice frozen. Sharing that because I don't know if that's a good thing or a "that doesn't matter" thing.
 
mrsrobinson said:
The freezer keeps ice frozen. Sharing that because I don't know if that's a good thing or a "that doesn't matter" thing.
Click to expand...

What is the exact model of the fridge? Is it a dual compressor or single?
 
SKybolt said:
What is the exact model of the fridge? Is it a dual compressor or single?
Click to expand...

It's the factory one (I assume). I will get more details next time I am on the boat, assuming that doesn't mean pulling the refrigerator out. I also assumed other's here who have done the project would know. I did check the parts manual prior to posting and couldn't find it. I am told it's a Norcold.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Why sma@rtass? If my food and beer is not cold, it's not cold. A thermometer will not change that, it may validate it. And like the thread said, Mr Thread Monitor/Admin, "Possible/Probable winter project:"

Haven't I told you before Unwatch & Ignore are your friends?
Click to expand...
Why are you so sensitive ??
 
mrsrobinson said:
...It's the factory one (I assume). I will get more details next time I am on the boat, assuming that doesn't mean pulling the refrigerator out. I also assumed other's here who have done the project would know...
Click to expand...

The reason I ask is you stated the freezer works fine. So you either don't have a compressor issue or you have dual compressors.

If the inside cabin temp remains in the low mid 70's 24/7 and your fridge is still not that cold and you only have one compressor then your thermostat may be failing.
 
SKybolt said:
The reason I ask is you stated the freezer works fine. So you either don't have a compressor issue or you have dual compressors.

If the inside cabin temp remains in the low mid 70's 24/7 and your fridge is still not that cold and you only have one compressor then your thermostat may be failing.
Click to expand...
Good feedback, thank you. Yes, when on the boat with the AC set to 68 it's exhibits the same behavior.

I found this thread, which suggests the model # though I cannot validate that today: http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/refrigerator.49244/

I will do more research on my own so as not to annoy/bother @Sgrochow . If someone here in the meantime can tell me how to find and then check the thermostat, that will be helpful.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Why sma@rtass? If my food and beer is not cold, it's not cold. A thermometer will not change that, it may validate it. And like the thread said, Mr. Thread Moderator,

  • "Possible/Probable winter project:"
  • "For those of you who have done this I am curious to hear your story, the gotchas, didn't think about that, etc."

Haven't I told you before Unwatch & Ignore are your friends? Or become a Moderator.
Click to expand...

Greg, you need to take a step back and actually think about what you are asking. Most of us read - "my fridge stopped getting cold how do I fix it" regardless of the extra info.

There are many questions that need to be answered to be able to respond to you with real answers.

Not that I am an expert at not over reacting to comments but after what you have posted about this, perhaps you should re-think posting something like that. It was un called for.

There isn't an un-watch thread unless you have subscribed to it to be notified. Ignore will do that for a particular user and everything that is posted by that user. You will only see blank space where that user posted.

I don't think anyone wants to ignore you, but they may stop answering any of your questions at some point or commenting on what you post. Effectively the same thing as being banished.

Everyone has there turn in life's washing machine. Learning how to switch over to the dryer is the trick.
 
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