Norcold DE0052 Repair or Replace

toolme

New Member
Jan 26, 2013
2
Lake Plesant, AZ
Boat Info
2002 310 Sundancer
Engines
350 MPI Mercruiser V Twin
Hi all, First time I have tried this.
I have a 2002 Sundancer 310 and my Norcold DE0052 had been acting up for a while. Now its time to fix or replace.
If I have to replace I would like to get some recommendations.
 
I replaced my DE051 last year. Took it to a Norcold repair guy. He told me probably better off buying a new one. Power supply was almost $400 then what if something else failed. Think I got a new fridge for around $750. Went with Norcold again. It lasted 8 years which is longer than the last home Whirlpool fridge I had lasted. Some people like the Vitrifrigo refrigerators. At the time it was nearly twice what the Norcold cost for the particular model I needed so I passed. Isotherm also makes a good fridge. A bit more than Norcold. Would have bought one too but could not find one to match the opening and did not want to modify or trim out.

If you do replace, strip any good removable parts off it before you ditch the case. I have helped a couple people here and at the marina with broken or bad parts. Still have a door and some shelves.
 
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I went through this with a DE0061 in my 44DB. After weeks of searching for a repair guy, the best answer he could give me was to buy a new one. And like Jason78 said, definitely save all the trim pieces off the old one.

I have Vitrifrigos on the sneaker and they work better then the N'ercold did. May not be worth the price of an upgrade though.
 
Thank you Jayson, That's pretty much the theme of what I'm getting from folks around the marina. These little guys aren't cheap. But it lasted 14 years,, I guess that's all we can ask.
 
My fridge (Norcold) was not getting cold and I was told that it's a bear to get it out of the 280 salon. I lookd on craigs list and found a brand new cooling unit for $200. It took me 1 1/2 hours to remove and replace the cooling unit. Works perfect and saved me $700.
 
My fridge (Norcold) was not getting cold and I was told that it's a bear to get it out of the 280 salon.

Not sure who told you that but it was no problem at all to get old out and new in. I will admit I was worried about it when thinking it out before hand. Just had to unscrew the side trim piece. Glad you got it fixed though.
 
I will be removeing the de540 from my boat in a few weeks to install a new vitrifrigio.As far as i can tell the only thing wrong with it is the po used a sharp instrument to defrost and poked a very small hole in the freezer plate,the body and everything else seem to be in very good condition.A lot of the parts are probably interchangeable,if you can go online and compare the part numbers i would give you the whole thing or parts as long as you pay shipping .I hate to see them go in the dumpster if someone can use them,and i dont want to store them either.The frige is in cleveland now and i live near flint michigan.
 

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