Replaced Norcold 3-way with efficient AC/DC electric fridge

GeoMars · November 2019

It's been almost 2 years since I did this that I don't remember exactly where I tied into the DC, but it wasn't into a socket. My hunch is that I would have used the DC supply that went to the Norcold. You can see where the wire is routed in the split-tube corrugated conduit in a few of the photos.

By the way, we spent 5 days at Bears Ears National Monument in Utah a few weeks ago, and the fridge and solar worked great. Each morning, battery power was only down to 94%-96% and then was fully charged before noon. And it was cold at night 28°-30°, so we spent evenings inside using electricity for lights and heater. Fridge probably didn't use much power because it was so cold outside.

T_BDancing · November 2019

Cool! Thanks!

nbrandt · December 2019

Have you sold your 3 way fridge? I would be interested in acquiring yours or one from anyone else doing this mod. I have need of one.

nbrandt · December 2019

PS. I live near Portland, OR

GeoMars · January 2020

Yes, I sold the 3-way fridge about 2 years ago.

DougH · May 2020

The 12V ICECO GO20 small fridge / freezer (20L) we ordered off Amazon with a Danfoss compressor for $350 (!) arrived yesterday.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TJ35L3V

We thought about trying pocket or bookcase hinges in that area where that Norcold 3way used to sit, and mocked up some options in Prisma3D CAD, but decided the @GeoMars approach was the cleanest. Already have all the hardware and birch to start the project. Will eventually be a three drawer design with a slide-out cutting board / prep area on top.

At this price we hope the ICECO lasts a while, but I'll see if I can maybe make the top drawer wide enough to also accept our really old Dometic top loader in case the new fridge doesn't survive long. Fridge includes a Bluetooth app to monitor or change set points for fridge and freezer sides. We're letting it run a few days and will use its calibration procedure to adjust the readouts to match a accurate thermometer placed inside. Ventilation is pulled from the back right side and comes out both the front right and a little on the right side, so I'll have to place the aux fan(s) differently.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/i8/sk7871a4b24e.jpg

Freezer not big enough for a pizza, but could store a bag or two of frozen veggies. Fridge side fits six 32oz Oatly Barista milk cartons so can still make four dozen lattes.

webers3 · June 2021

@DougH Did you ever complete the 3 way fridge swap per GeoMars’ plans. Trying to do the same, would love to see how you did it and any comments or suggestions. Thank you

DougH · June 2021

@webers3 Yup... see:

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/139393#Comment_139393

webers3 · June 2021

@DougH Thank you, looks awesome! Not as handy as you, would like to know where you mounted the slides, did you have to build new vertical supports?

DougH · June 2021

@webers3 The fridge rides on soft close supports from below, the cutting board slides on wood supports built around it, and the new drawer did need supports for the side rails. I just watched a lot of YouTube first.

AnOldUR · June 2021

webers3 · June 2021

@AnOldUR That's another awesome mod, looks great! Would love to see the parts list and assembly notes for someone who doesn't have the cabinetry making skills, thanks in advance.

Sharon_is_SAM · June 2021

Nicely done!

gullystravels · August 2021

I like the clean look and simplicity of the cooler. You mentioned a cutting board and drawer not pictured. Did you add them later or..? What was the rough cost for this. My TAB in in the shop now with the 3 way being assessed for possible repair. If it's too expensive, I may go this route.

Thanks for the advice and ideas.

gullystravels · August 2021

Can you give more info. on the Domende cooler: where did you get it? how much? what size inside and out? Did it fit into the existing hole left by the Norcold 3 way? Thanks

AnOldUR · August 2021

Mine is a 54 quart from Amazon for $299. It fit in the spot where the Norcold was removed, but I’m still working out fitting the screen door back in.

AldebaranJill · July 11

AnOldUR said:

Mine is a 54 quart from Amazon for $299. It fit in the spot where the Norcold was removed, but I’m still working out fitting the screen door back in.

Any specs on current draw?

AnOldUR · July 12

@AldebaranJill
I haven’t checked in a while. It’s a still working well in our fifth season. I think it draws about 2.5 amps when the compressor is running, but cycles on and off to hold the set temperature. For reference, we use from 30 to 50 amps per day with the fridge constantly in use, along with all the other 12V things that we regularly use.

AldebaranJill · July 16

AnOldUR said:

@AldebaranJill
I haven’t checked in a while. It’s a still working well in our fifth season. I think it draws about 2.5 amps when the compressor is running, but cycles on and off to hold the set temperature. For reference, we use from 30 to 50 amps per day with the fridge constantly in use, along with all the other 12V things that we regularly use.

Have you posted somewhere where you got the slides from?

AldebaranJill · July 16

GeoMars said:

Hahaha. Instead of taking it all apart, how about some photos with the drawer pulled out?

This one is the view from the upper T@B vent, showing the 3 sliders under the drawer, the vent in the back of the sliding drawer (lower left in photo), and the flexible conduit with AC and DC power cords. The front of the trailer is toward the right.

This photo is from the lower T@B vent, showing the drawer slides and showing how the fridge vent lines up with the opening in the drawer back for ventilation.

Would you be able to provide source for the slides? Thank you!

GeoMars · 12:06AM

Based on my eBay purchase history, I think the part is Accuride 9301 Heavy Duty Full Extension Ball Bearing 16" 500 lb slides. The 500 lb rating is only when they are installed on the sides rather than the bottom, but the fridge was too wide for them to fit on the sides. I wanted to use 4 slides underneath, but one was damaged in shipping, so I used 3, which worked OK but 4 would have been better. Alternatively if you have a fridge that is narrow enough, 2 side-mounted slides would be more solid.

I bought them on eBay, but it looks like the same ones are available at: https://www.cabinetparts.com/p/accuride-drawer-slides-side-mount-drawer-slides-AC930116-p238
($101.41 per pair at that link vs $190 at Amazon)
The 16" extension was minimum for the fridge door to clear the front lip of the counter when opening. If there is room for 18" extension slides, my hunch is they would be preferable. I don't have the T@B anymore, so I can't measure. And I only saw your post because of email from the forum.

Good luck. This was a tricky fabrication project because of the tight clearances in every dimension. And the slides have to be aligned precisely, or they bind when opening. But I was very happy with how it turned out.

AnOldUR · 2:04AM

AldebaranJill said:
Have you posted somewhere where you got the slides from?

My slides came from Home Depot along with the aluminum angle that they are mounted to. As you can see from the picture in my post above, I used three hoping for a little extra support.

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Replaced Norcold 3-way with efficient AC/DC electric fridge

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