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08-30-2023, 09:48 PM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,925
M.O.C. #19755
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12VDC Dual Compressor Refrigerator Installation
I have completed the installation of a 12VDC kit on my Norcold 2118 refrigerator. I took a few photos along the way. The installation was not too difficult, but does require a helper or two to move the refrigerator around. The hardest part was pulling new cables from the battery compartment to the slide out.
I've had it running a few days, and the new unit is working great. The freezer is a consistent 0 and the refer is 34. Current pull with both compressors running is 11.3A, but I do not expect this unit to run constantly like the old one. I'll have to use it for awhile to determine how much power it pulls per day.
Photos:
Unboxed
Starting to remove old unit
Old unit exposed
Old unit removed
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-30-2023, 09:51 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,925
M.O.C. #19755
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Additional photos:
Cabinet prepared for new unit
New unit installed on cabinet
Final wiring & installation complete
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-31-2023, 07:39 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,708
M.O.C. #24086
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Nice job!!!
I may be doing that someday soon.
I've always wondered how you get the fridge out of the wall. How is it Anchored into the cavity?
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Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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08-31-2023, 08:24 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,253
M.O.C. #30417
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That's impressive as hell. I'm not sure I'm confident enough to tackle that job.
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Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
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08-31-2023, 09:21 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 664
M.O.C. #20906
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Dual compressors? First I have heard of that. But I am a little slow. What is the purpose of two? Do they work in stages? I think some home AC units have dual speed compressors. The unit in our house is almost 30 years old and I installed it myself. I was a little more energetic back then.
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2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
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08-31-2023, 10:40 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,940
M.O.C. #20477
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Looking good Scott!
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Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
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08-31-2023, 10:58 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,925
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles
Nice job!!!
I may be doing that someday soon.
I've always wondered how you get the fridge out of the wall. How is it Anchored into the cavity?
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You might be surprised; anchored might be an overstatement. Two #10 screws in the outside compartment, going into the floor. Inside, four #10 screws on top & bottom behind trim piece. Had it out in about 30 minutes cause I'm slow.
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-31-2023, 11:00 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,925
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak
That's impressive as hell. I'm not sure I'm confident enough to tackle that job.
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The instructions they provide are very good, step-by-step. Pulling the cables was another project.
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-31-2023, 11:02 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,925
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Baldicon
Dual compressors? First I have heard of that. But I am a little slow. What is the purpose of two? Do they work in stages? I think some home AC units have dual speed compressors. The unit in our house is almost 30 years old and I installed it myself. I was a little more energetic back then.
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Larger compressor for the refrigerator, smaller for the freezer. They work independently. They are not dual speed; just two of them.
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-31-2023, 11:11 AM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: LYNDEN
Posts: 286
M.O.C. #30751
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Is that the DutchAire kit from JC Engineering? Just left there yesterday having that kit installed on my Norcold. Like yours it is a vast improvement.
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2003 Holiday Rambler Navigator 43PKD 500HP 11L Cummins ISM
2005 Keystone Montana 2955RL (sold)
1999 F350 SC (sold)
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08-31-2023, 11:39 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,925
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joint Venture II
Is that the DutchAire kit from JC Engineering? Just left there yesterday having that kit installed on my Norcold. Like yours it is a vast improvement.
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Yes. DutchAire from JC Refrigeration.
https://jc-refrigeration.com/
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-31-2023, 12:22 PM
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#12
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 50
M.O.C. #20918
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Nice job! Looking at the JC Engineering website, it looks like they also offer a 120V conversion kit. Would the 120V kit just plug in like the original unit, avoiding the challenge of running new wires? Is there a reason you went with the 12V version?
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2018 3950BR, 2017 GMC Denali 3500 DRW
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08-31-2023, 02:00 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 664
M.O.C. #20906
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz
Larger compressor for the refrigerator, smaller for the freezer. They work independently. They are not dual speed; just two of them.
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Thanks for the explanation Scott. Now I don't feel so dumb. Still feel dumb, just not as much.
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2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
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08-31-2023, 02:10 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,925
M.O.C. #19755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TWC84
Nice job! Looking at the JC Engineering website, it looks like they also offer a 120V conversion kit. Would the 120V kit just plug in like the original unit, avoiding the challenge of running new wires? Is there a reason you went with the 12V version?
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Thanks. I don't know, but probably. I went with 12V to avoid having to run the fridge off my inverter. If you look at the specs, the 12V is also more efficient. The gas absorption refrigerator running on AC pulled 624W, without shore power it burned a lot of propane; and didn't work well in either mode. The 12V version pulls 143W.
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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08-31-2023, 04:54 PM
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#15
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: LYNDEN
Posts: 286
M.O.C. #30751
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TWC84
Nice job! Looking at the JC Engineering website, it looks like they also offer a 120V conversion kit. Would the 120V kit just plug in like the original unit, avoiding the challenge of running new wires? Is there a reason you went with the 12V version?
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I had made arrangements to have the conversion kit installed on my 1200 series Norcold. After arriving there I discussed with them as to what was the best option, 120v or 12v compressors? Their words were, 12v is better for boondockers with solar and 120v works best for those that spend lots of time in campgrounds and no solar. Running 120v while traveling will use more battery as the inverter will have some loss that a 12v version doesn't have.
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2003 Holiday Rambler Navigator 43PKD 500HP 11L Cummins ISM
2005 Keystone Montana 2955RL (sold)
1999 F350 SC (sold)
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09-01-2023, 10:01 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 945
M.O.C. #30262
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz
Additional photos:
Cabinet prepared for new unit
New unit installed on cabinet
Final wiring & installation complete
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Awesome job Scott! Quite the project you undertook there
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Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
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