Fridge (Norcold DE-400A) is toast

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Thu May 20, 2010 11:24 pm

So what have others replaced their AC/DC fridges with? New one (replace like with like) would cost me over $1,000, and apparently to replace the stupid burnt out transformer would cost over $500.

davescarrs · Post by **davescarrs** » Thu May 20, 2010 11:49 pm

went to Best Buy bought AC fridge for $150. No cooling power when away from dock, but longest excursions without AC hook up is only couple hours. Stuff stays cold in there anyway.

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Thu May 20, 2010 11:58 pm

I went with Waeco.. CR110
http://www.waeco.com/en/3104_5929.php?h ... igID=16695

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Fri May 21, 2010 4:59 am

We have had AC/DC refrig's in the past and found them to be a good way to kill your batteries at anchor. When we replaced the one on Southern Cross, which was AC only, I wrote down the dimensions, my wife took them to Lowe's, and they ordered us one to fit for $100 - $150. We keep the freezer full of 'cold packs' and when we leave the dock, the entire fridge will stay cold for 24 hours off the cold packs.

g36 · Post by **g36** » Fri May 21, 2010 7:03 am

i dont have the same refrig i have a de490 similar and so far so good but have given some thought on what i would put in its place if it fails. i do agree that they are expensive for a 12/110 version. how much do you stay out? do you anchor out overnight or multiple nights or do you just go out for the day and thats it. yes refrigerators can drain a battery but if you size your house bank properly you will not have any trouble. i have golf cart batteries for a house bank and stay out multiple nights and even sometimes run a 2nd refrig on an invertor when anchored if we have company. my point would be if you only go out for a day or even 1 night you could buy a dorm type refrig and install an invertor ($150 refrig,apx $100 invertor) and and maybe 1 more deep cycle battery just in case and this would give you plenty of power and your expense would be way less than buying a 12/110 version. your batteries wont be drained and you have saved some money. but its less efficent. the one ready123 mentioned specs shows only 2.2ah running the de490 if i remember is about 3.8ah making the waeco a nice unit it however is in the same ballpark cost wise but would be a great unit for power useage. i've never thought my norcold was a great unit for keeping things really cold when we are anchored out and its in the 90's.i would probably consider another brand when the time comes, the waeco sure looks pretty good to me. will have to ask ready123 how he likes it ,,hopefully in a few years. i had looked at tundra refrigerators but they are also expensive

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Fri May 21, 2010 8:18 am

Danny Bailey wrote:We have had AC/DC refrig's in the past and found them to be a good way to kill your batteries at anchor.

The only way they kill your batteries is when the battery is incorrectly sized for the load.... that would be the case for any other load not just a frig.
There is no real reason to run from a DC frig and correctly sized house battery... I anchor out every night, I can count on one hand the number of times I stay at a dock with power during a season.
My battery is still like new (holds it's power all winter without a recharge in outdoor storage) after 4 yrs of service

It is sized to support THE load for 24 hrs.... I run my genny morning and night while anchored for other creature comforts along with recharging.

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Fri May 21, 2010 4:36 pm

I guess it's all in individual preferences. When I anchor, I don't want a lot of draw on what is going to get me started again, and I don't want a lot of super heavy, super expensive batteries on the boat. When we get up in the morning I start the genny to heat shower water and make cofee, and soup up the fridge all at the same time.

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sat May 22, 2010 4:45 am

two 4d's and run the gen set (after all that's why it's there) and have no issues. Reefer is ac/dc and never have trouble starting in the mornin' but I do use a cooler for drinks.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Sat May 22, 2010 12:20 pm

Thx for the feedback... Might have found a used Norcold AC/DC on Craigslist for $100 but dimensions seller originally gave me suggest it might be 1" too wide!!! If it doesn't work, will probably be picking up a regular AC unit from somewhere and see how it survives.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Sun May 23, 2010 7:18 pm

Captain, if I'm thinking of the same component, have you considered replacing it yourself? Probably not that difficult. If the OEM part seems too expensive to purchase, try one of the electronic distributors. They may have the exact same or can match one up with the same specs. Electrosonic in Toronto is one you may want to try.

sluggo · Post by **sluggo** » Mon May 24, 2010 2:34 pm

replaced the 'electronics' in the refrig, when the genny genned too much and fried them out!! I ordered the part from this place, which I have no connection to, http://www.rvdealership.com/rvdstore/in ... m&Referer=

and swapped out the part!! & I am no mechanic, IIRC it was $200 maybe $300 for the part, but I had what I wanted. I just unplugged everything from the power, and it was basically plug and play, and it has been good to go for several years, knock on wood!!

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Tue May 25, 2010 12:26 am

Big D and Sluggo - thx for the references. If the $100 option falls through I will look into these options.

FriZer · Post by **FriZer** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 11:25 pm

That is really expensive. I know money is really hard to find now. When the time comes god will shower you lots of money you should grab it maybe this will the first and final big blessing in your life.

Trojan Boat Forum

Fridge (Norcold DE-400A) is toast

Fridge (Norcold DE-400A) is toast

I agree, I