Salon Door Removal

[RobnBern]

Good Morning everyone...We need to replace the Norcold 541 which finally died. We ordered a Norcold DE-0041, then we snooped here and see that moving that fridge into the salon will take nearly an act of the Almighty. So, the question is, how do you remove the salon door on a '95 370 Dancer? Some folks have mentioned other fridge units but nothing specific. If you've got a specific recommendation that would fit the space left by the DE541. Thanks everyone and hoping you're all getting ready for a beautiful (albeit overpriced fuel) summer.

RJ

 

[RobnBern]

Well....I figured it out and it wasn't as hard as I was expecting!! So, if you need a hand removing the door on a 370, let me know.

 

[Larry]

Well, it may be to late... But the Nova Kool 5810 will fit without removing the door and you will just about double your interior fridge space (3.1 to 5.8 cubic ft). It has a stainless front and interior light.

 

[tdschafer]

Larry,
When mine takes a dump I want what you got!!

 

[another escapade]

I to will be needing a fridge replacement. Everybody keeps talking about the novakool 5810 model, does anybody have any pics of the unit in a 330da ? Where's the best place to buy it and how much is everybody paying for the unit ?

 

[CLC3]

Hi....

Just moved up to '97 370 DA from a '93 330 DA. Most amazing use of an additional 4' that I have ever seen! The Norcold DE541 fridge was a known issue as of the survey (has power and light on thermostat panel but doesn't cool) and I am in the process of investigating the best solution for replacement. I pulled the Norcold out this past weekend and find that the compressor is getting power too but, again, no cooling. Despite many threads in many forums citing that DE-541 replacement is the only option, I was surprised to find a retro-ft recharge valve installed on the copper line in the cooling unit! Some one has been here before! For now, I'd prefer to get the Norcold working and worry about a replacement later. So....

1. Does anyone have experience recharging the compressor of a Norcold DE4541 (R-134a)? If so, will a typical automotive recharge setup work? What pressure should be established in the line? Photos of the valve can be seen at photo1 and photo2.

2. If the Norcold cannot be resurrected, it appears that there are in fact issues getting new units through the cabin door of a '97 370 DA based on the fridge specs and door width of my boat. What is involved in removing the cabin door?

3. Finally, are there replacement units that do not require the 370 DA's door to be removed? Candidates I've seen are the Tundra T-42 and a Viritfrigo unit but they appear to require door removal.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Chip

 

[jsneal]

Well, it may be to late... But the Nova Kool 5810 will fit without removing the door and you will just about double your interior fridge space (3.1 to 5.8 cubic ft). It has a stainless front and interior light.

Larry, you seem to be the expert here on the Nova Kool 5810. I understand that you have installed it on a 330. Are you sure it will fit on a 370 too? I have a '95 370 which has the cooktop and handle bar right over the refer cutout while the 330 doesnt.
Want to make sure it will work in a 370 before I go and buy one of these things.

 

[TheWolfTC]

Larry, you seem to be the expert here on the Nova Kool 5810. I understand that you have installed it on a 330. Are you sure it will fit on a 370 too? I have a '95 370 which has the cooktop and handle bar right over the refer cutout while the 330 doesnt.
Want to make sure it will work in a 370 before I go and buy one of these things.

I have a 96, 370 DA and I also have a brand new Nova Kool R5810 installed. It is an awesome fridge!!! To get it through the sliding door they almost completely disassembled the frame, which was thought to be easier than removing the sliding door and all of it's components. After re-assembling they also needed to REMOVE the bottom step to get it to fit into the bigger opening we had to create. Lastly they removed the grab bar as well and plugged the holes with SS carriage bolts. Installed the fridge and re-installed the bottom step.

To get the step out you will find ss screws directly through the carpet..there are a bunch of them so be patient locating them. After removing the actual step it will expose the base and the interior screws. This was very simple.

This fridge is huge comparatively speaking. When we cruise we can hold all of our food and some food from our boating friends that join us. It was purchased from a company called Solar Home.org and the cost was $1299 plus $158 for shipping.