Need a replacement fridge

Lisamorrisette · August 19

HELP! I’d like to think there is a solution. I have a 2014 320S the nor old fridge failed. I loved the 3 way, but realize they’ve gone the way of the dinosaurs. So sadly it will need to be AC/DC. If only. So I’ve called NuCamp, checked with RV dealership, E-trailer and Dometic I can not find a unit to fit the space. The issue is the depth it’s only 17 inches at the base even though H 24”xW24”. Someone must have had to replace a fridge in this year.

I actually found a SMAD that is 3 way that would fit. But the company says it cannot be installed in a cabinet.

NHCraig · August 19

I've seen a number of posts here about people replacing their fridge with an electric cooler/freezer on a slide out tray. The coolers aren't as deep, that might work in your space.

Cherokee · August 19

I took my NorCold 180.3 refrigerator to Vogel's RV in Northern CA, they had a replacement control panel in stock that fixed it - not cheep, but better then the expense of a new 2 way and battery conversion. - Check around - it may be worth a trip to a dealer who still has parts.

pthomas745 · August 19

What exact fridge model do you have now? Which Norcold?

Lisamorrisette · August 20

FB marketplace yielded a different model Norcold that is a bit smaller than the original, but is still a 3way. So here’s hoping.

It a crying shame that one can have a perfectly good camper except it doesn’t have a fridge. Having an indoor cooking space and toilet were essential to me for camping in grizzly country. Otherwise I’m towing a bed. So I’m hoping this works.

i really hate the newer aC/DC fridges they pull way too many amp hours to allow for back country camping.

Grumpy_G · August 21

The newer T@b 320 comes with a compressor fridge so whatever Nucamp is using should fit with minor modifications. See here: https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/11273/replacing-norcold-3-way-fridge-with-isotherm-2-way

Having said this, the trailer most likely has the Norcold 3163 which was made for decades. It's not a bad design although a bit more finicky and confusing for people to understand (heat to generate cooling...) . The main issue nowadays is that hardly anybody knows how to fix them. If the cooling unit leaks out the ammonia/hydrogen mix the fridge is done for, but the most frequent issues with gas mode not working can often be fixed with proper troubleshooting and some ingenuity in sourcing parts no longer available from the manufacturer (Norcold didn't have elves in the basement carving thermo couples from raw materials, they are off the shelf items).

AnOldUR · August 21

Our 2020 320S had a 3-way. Might be the same model as in your 2014. If not, the dimensions are probably close to the same. We went the slide path that @NHCraig mentioned. If you haven't already done it, you'll also want to update your battery to a lithium (at least two 100Ah's, better yet a larger capacity LiFePO4). LiFePO4 prices have come way down making 12V compressor fridges a very practical alternative.

Marceline · August 21

I not 100% sure and I don't have time to search for it, but I thought that someone had posted a working 3way that they had taken out of a T@B for sale here. Or maybe on one of the FB groups.

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