Replacing/Repairing Norcold 1210 Fridge

[Cowtown63]

I have a 2021 Keystone Arcadia with a Norcold 1210 fridge that is not cooling properly. Apparently it's the cooling unit that has failed so I have the choice of either replacing the cooling unit with the exact same absorption unit, upgrade to a JC Refrigeration 12V dual compressor unit (same price as absorption unit) OR just putting a brand new residential fridge (12V or 120V) in and removing the Norcold completely. Our extended warranty will cover $2300 of "repair" which will cover the 1st 2 option or can be applied towards a new fridge.

Looking for opinions on the pros/cons of those choices plus I am wondering if anyone has replaced the Norcold with a 12V or 120V fridge and, if so, which one. If I do a full replacement I would like it to fit in my existing cavity with as little retrofitting as possible. We do have a reasonable amount of solar (560 aH of batteries and 600w of panels) so travel days should be fine with leaving the fridge on for a few hours. We also have a genny if needed.

Thanks

 

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum :wlcm:

I have put 2 JC cooling units in that model fridge and wouldn’t hesitate to put another unit in from JC. Quality units with clear instructions. The 12V dual compressor is the one I would opt for.

 

[Rhagfo]

Welcome to the forum :wlcm:

I have put 2 JC cooling units in that model fridge and wouldn’t hesitate to put another unit in from JC. Quality units with clear instructions. The 12V dual compressor is the one I would opt for.

I agree with Chuck, we have a JC 12 volt compressor unit in our Dometic 2862 and it works great. 100 degrees outside refer at 34 degrees, freezer near zero.

 

[Cowtown63]

Thanks for your input - greatly appreciated! I have ordered the JC 12V cooling unit so looking forward to a cold consistent fridge/freezer.

 

[DocP]

Thanks for your input - greatly appreciated! I have ordered the JC 12V cooling unit so looking forward to a cold consistent fridge/freezer.

I replaced the "guts" of my Norcold 2118 absorption refrigerator/freezer with the 12V JC unit last July. They offered either free shipping or free installation. I used the "free installation" option and made the trip to Shipshewana Indiana and was in and out in less than an hour. The JC unit has been phenomenal - it cools down in to 34 in the refrigerator and 0 in the freezer in less than 2 hours and maintains those temperatures regardless of the outside temperature. I could not be happier, and I'm sure you will like yours as well!

 

[JRTJH]

Thanks for your input - greatly appreciated! I have ordered the JC 12V cooling unit so looking forward to a cold consistent fridge/freezer.

Now is the time to start thinking about how you're going to close up the vents on your existing refrigerator cabinet. If it's in a slide, there's two in the sidewall and if it's not in a slide, there's one in the sidewall and one on the roof.

Many/maybe even most people just leave the actual vents in place and plug the opening with 2" rigid foam board (pink stuff). At any rate, before you can put everything back together and reinstall the refrigerator, you'll need to figure out what to do with the vents.

 

[Cowtown63]

Now is the time to start thinking about how you're going to close up the vents on your existing refrigerator cabinet. If it's in a slide, there's two in the sidewall and if it's not in a slide, there's one in the sidewall and one on the roof.

Many/maybe even most people just leave the actual vents in place and plug the opening with 2" rigid foam board (pink stuff). At any rate, before you can put everything back together and reinstall the refrigerator, you'll need to figure out what to do with the vents.

Interesting - there's no mention of closing off the vents in the installation instructions. They actually tell you to remove the baffle in the top vent to allow the unit to breathe. I'll have to reach out to JC Refrigeration to see what they recommend.

 

[L. Rempel]

I have a 2021 Keystone Arcadia with a Norcold 1210 fridge that is not cooling properly. Apparently it's the cooling unit that has failed so I have the choice of either replacing the cooling unit with the exact same absorption unit, upgrade to a JC Refrigeration 12V dual compressor unit (same price as absorption unit) OR just putting a brand new residential fridge (12V or 120V) in and removing the Norcold completely. Our extended warranty will cover $2300 of "repair" which will cover the 1st 2 option or can be applied towards a new fridge.

Looking for opinions on the pros/cons of those choices plus I am wondering if anyone has replaced the Norcold with a 12V or 120V fridge and, if so, which one. If I do a full replacement I would like it to fit in my existing cavity with as little retrofitting as possible. We do have a reasonable amount of solar (560 aH of batteries and 600w of panels) so travel days should be fine with leaving the fridge on for a few hours. We also have a genny if needed.

Thanks

Our 2020 Montana 5th wheel “No-cold” caught fire just after the warranty expired.
We had JC Refrigeration upgrade to a 12V two compressor unit and could not be happier! We kept the Norcold fridge box as its size and functionality were perfect.
Zero issues and now the fridge is consistent and the freezer is “Ice cream” cold.

 

[Mikelff]

I have a JC cooling unit in my Dometic 1350 double door. Mine is a single compressor (before they went to the double) and couldn’t be happier. They use heavier gauge tubing, just better built than OEM, and IMO, WAY better than a residential fridge. You will be a happy camper!

 

[Luv2304]

I'm considering replacing the cooling unit for our Norcold 2118 refer with a JC 12V dual compressor conversion. I've read the installation instructions over several times and it doesn't look too bad. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my current refer has 10 gauge wire running to it, but it not, it might be a pain to run from the battery in our Avalanche 320RS.

 

[RDJ]

JC all the way replace our Norcold 2010 unit back in 2018 after warranty expired and cooling unit went out, we went with the gas electric due to dry camping sometimes, JC still going strong and could not be happier

 

[Mikelff]

I'm considering replacing the cooling unit for our Norcold 2118 refer with a JC 12V dual compressor conversion. I've read the installation instructions over several times and it doesn't look too bad. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my current refer has 10 gauge wire running to it, but it not, it might be a pain to run from the battery in our Avalanche 320RS.

JC ran the new 10 gauge wire along the frame rail using large zip ties to secure the wire on my install. JC is good about helping and making recommendations over the phone. My friend did his own install and sent video to them for help. They responded right away and he’s a happy camper these days. Get a friend to help. Much easier and faster with two doing the install.

 

[Route 66 Rambler]

We replaced the Dometic fridge in our 2019 MHC 330RL with a Norcold 12V compressor fridge. It has a larger capacity than the Dometic so it's better than just doing the JC "conversion". Cools fast and stays cold. Highly recommend. Weighs less than the old fridge too. We added wood behind the old vents, painted it black to match and sealed. Looks good too. Make sure you have an air space above and below the fridge for ventilation or it will overheat.