Norcold de-704

[greygoosev]

Hi, I own a 1990 sundancer 330 for the past 6 years. I used to be able to go for long week-ends, up to 3 days, with my 2 batteries+1 to start the engine. But as of last year, I could only stay out for about 24-30 hours and my batteries would be drained. My batteries are less than 3 yrs old and in good shape, so I turned to my biggest power eater; my DE-704, which I noticed was running almost all the time. I had an expert look it up and the freon level was good, no frost inside, seal was tight, so we concluded the compressor was getting old.

So here is my question to the Club members, any of you changed a Norcold DE-704? Norcold does not offer a direct replacement for that fridg anymore. I have read about the Novakool but looking for input.

 

[tmal2]

Hi, I own a 1990 sundancer 330 for the past 6 years. I used to be able to go for long week-ends, up to 3 days, with my 2 batteries+1 to start the engine. But as of last year, I could only stay out for about 24-30 hours and my batteries would be drained. My batteries are less than 3 yrs old and in good shape, so I turned to my biggest power eater; my DE-704, which I noticed was not running almost all the time. I had an expert look it up and the freon level was good, no frost inside, seal was tight, so we concluded the compressor was getting old.

So here is my question to the Club members, any of you changed a Norcold DE-704? Norcold does not offer a direct replacement for that fridg anymore. I have read about the Novakool but looking for input.

greygoosev, I had my Norcold die on me last year and ended up going with the Novakool unit. It's not a perfect fit but with a little trim work you'll get it looking pretty good.

One thing I don't like about the Novakool is that there is no power light signaling that the unit is on. The unit is so quiet that you can't hear it running so I would prefer to have a status light like the Norcold did just to verify with a quick look that the unit is operating normally.
If I blow a fridge fuse or trip the breaker accidentally I wonlt know it till the fridge starts getting warm.

 

[greygoosev]

good input TMAL2, the power on light was indeed usefull to me as well but I will enjoy the quietness as the norcold was getting quite noisy.....may I ask where you purchased your unit?

 

[Robski97]

Goose,
UR tech checked all the right things. What i didnt see is a temperature reading inside the frig. also was the coil froozen completely from top to bottom. If the compressor was weak this is where u would see it. Also the amperage of unit would be off. The compressor is a pump . if it was failing ur food would be going bad. 3 years on flooded batteries is about the life expectancy. Maybe ull get another year. I dont think there is anything wrong with the frig.


Rob

 

[tmal2]

good input TMAL2, the power on light was indeed usefull to me as well but I will enjoy the quietness as the norcold was getting quite noisy.....may I ask where you purchased your unit?

I bought mine here: http://www.oceanoptions.com/index.html

I live about 20 miles away so I just drove there and picked it up.

Goose,
UR tech checked all the right things. What i didnt see is a temperature reading inside the frig. also was the coil froozen completely from top to bottom. If the compressor was weak this is where u would see it. Also the amperage of unit would be off. The compressor is a pump . if it was failing ur food would be going bad. 3 years on flooded batteries is about the life expectancy. Maybe ull get another year. I dont think there is anything wrong with the frig.
Rob

Goose, I agree with Rob. I would do a little more investigating before spending over $1000 on a new fridge.
I had a smaller Norcold unit on a previous boat that kept running and freezing everything because it never turned off. My first thought was that the thermostat was bad so I replaced it but that did nothing. What it ended up being was a circuit board had a short in it.

 

[greygoosev]

Fantastic input TM and Roski, my tech did verify the coils + thermostat, he owns a Doral 30 with a Norcold as well of a different model, I agree with Roski that my batteries may be on their last summer season so I'll change all 3 for AGMs for this season. As for the fridg, well I am less than eager to spend $1100 on this as it looks great, no rust, no stains and it does not freeze the food in the fridg but it does freeze in the freezer....maybe it is just getting old? cause it runs on average 16-20 hrs a day on a 70 degree day. I'll give it a try with new batteries and adv the forum on the outcome, this may save others some $$.