Welcome to Carver Yachts Owners Forum

We are a boating forum for owners of Carver Yachts to enthusiastically discuss all aspects of Carver Boat ownership. Whether you are looking for your first Carver or currently own one, you are sure to feel at home on CarverYachtOwners.com

You are currently viewing our board as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and access our other FREE features. By joining our free community you will have access to searching the forum topics, post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload your own photos and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

Norcold DE-251E

Anything related to the operation of your boat. Steering, Bilge Pumps, thru-hulls, bottom paint, etc.
User avatar

Topic author
USAFRet
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 10
Joined: June 24th, 2013, 4:49 pm
Vessel Info: 1993 280 Express
5.7Ltr Penta DuoProp
Location: Watkins Glen, NY

Norcold DE-251E

Postby USAFRet » June 25th, 2013, 7:37 pm

The fridge worked fine on "high" on shore power for 12 hours, then started cycling on and off (you could hear the compressor kick for a few seconds, then "off") when I turned the temp knob to the halfway position. I turned it back up again and the compressor turned on and stayed on. I placed it back to the halfway position and then we went to DC power once we were underway. We checked it every couple hours and noticed the temp was coming up. I couldn't hear the compressor, but am not sure it was off or on due to the power plant noise. I verified the DC Refer switch was on, but didn't troubleshoot any further.

Around the evening we were plugged in again, and it was working without the cycling I mentioned earlier, so I swapped over to DC. After an hour, I verified the fridge was still working in that mode (the freezer plate was cold), and then placed it back to AC power.

The next day it was dead, other than a few pathetic attempts to kick on, then off.

I'll have a refrigerator tech check it out in a couple weeks, and can survive on coolers for the time being. I started pricing similar capacity units on the off chance the repair isn't economical, but don't see anything for cheaper than a grand or so. OUCH.

User avatar

United States of America
AaHubb
Commander
Commander
Posts: 315
Joined: February 16th, 2013, 5:46 pm
Vessel Info: '99 404 CPMY
my twin diesel pusher
Location: Kennewick, Wa
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 61 times

Re: Norcold DE-251E

Postby AaHubb » June 25th, 2013, 9:32 pm

Welcome to boat pricing. $1000 = 1 boat buck. Norcold is well known for their high prices however a dual voltage setup would not be cheap by any vendor. You might look into RV units.
'99 404 CPMY
SeaDragon
User avatar

United States of America
Seif911
Captain
Captain
Posts: 233
Joined: April 11th, 2013, 6:46 am
Vessel Info: 1977 Carver Mariner 33'
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Been thanked: 4 times

Re: Norcold DE-251E

Postby Seif911 » June 26th, 2013, 8:10 am

Agreed that the RV frog will work just as well but I doubt any cheaper. They usually start their pricing at $1300. If you end up going this route, one of the cheapest RV places on the net to get one would be a place called PPL. I have bought quite a bit from them. Good luck.
Thanks,
Steve

22' Godfrey Hurricane Fun Deck, Fiberglass hull, 175 HP, Deck boat
24' Chrysler Cruiseliner III (Lonestar), 120 HP, Aluminum Hull, Cabin, 1968
33' Carver Mariner, fiberglass hull, 520 HP, Yacht, 1977
User avatar

Topic author
USAFRet
Scurvy Dog
Scurvy Dog
Posts: 10
Joined: June 24th, 2013, 4:49 pm
Vessel Info: 1993 280 Express
5.7Ltr Penta DuoProp
Location: Watkins Glen, NY

Re: Norcold DE-251E

Postby USAFRet » June 26th, 2013, 6:43 pm

The pricing is painful. I'll get the mounting dimensions from the owners manual and start shopping around this weekend. I like the idea of checking out dual voltage RV units and will add that to my searches. I like the idea of dual voltage but am toying with the following:

Purchase an AC only fridge (4-6cf.) I think the operating amperage is 1.4, or wattage should be less than 200), and power it with a 420 watt inverter that is powered by my cockpit 12v outlet while we are underway. Do you guys see any train wrecks with this approach?
User avatar

United States of America
AaHubb
Commander
Commander
Posts: 315
Joined: February 16th, 2013, 5:46 pm
Vessel Info: '99 404 CPMY
my twin diesel pusher
Location: Kennewick, Wa
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 61 times

Re: Norcold DE-251E

Postby AaHubb » June 26th, 2013, 7:35 pm

One possible problem, low cost inverters don't output a true sine wave. That may or may not be a problem for the compressor motor, Or it may work fine... for a while. Of course the frig would be cheap enough to replace every few years anyway.
'99 404 CPMY
SeaDragon
User avatar

United States of America
waybomb
CYO Moderator
CYO Moderator
Posts: 2472
Joined: February 5th, 2013, 9:24 pm
Vessel Info: 1995 Boston Whaler Rage15
1987 3697 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar 46 Kevlar Vee offshore
1969 15' Glasspar / 1967 Johnson Electromatic 85
1996 Boston Whaler Rage 15
Location: Saint Joseph,Mi
Has thanked: 53 times
Been thanked: 419 times

Re: Norcold DE-251E

Postby waybomb » June 26th, 2013, 8:17 pm

There are RV and boat surplus stores. For instance, Bontragers or Johnsons in White Pigeon, Michigan, or Wolf's in Benton Harbor Michigan, Kendor in Wisconsin, etc. Check ebay. Check Craigslist via searchtempest.com - you can search the entire country with searchtempest in one simple search.

You can do better than 1000.
Thanks
Fred
1969 Glaspar Avalon /1967 Johnson Electromatic 85
1987 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar Kevlar 46' with triple blown 572 ci
1995 Boston Whaler Rage
Past - 1988 2807, 1989 4207 Aft
User avatar

Mkemper
Deck Hand
Deck Hand
Posts: 96
Joined: February 18th, 2013, 9:04 am
Vessel Info: 86' carver 3207 Aft
[IMG]http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff498/mjkkemper/null_zps98e8d64b.jpg[/IMG]
Been thanked: 8 times

Re: Norcold DE-251E

Postby Mkemper » June 27th, 2013, 8:00 pm

The two things that go out most is the type B chatter protector or the contactor/relay. Below us a guide to check it out

http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/ncolddedc.pdf

Just fixed mine in that the thermostat when out. I could not find a replacement so I installed two from grander @ $16. One on the 110v the other on the 12v side. Right now I am running it on 12v because the chatter control when out. (Need to order a new one)
Image
User avatar

United States of America
waybomb
CYO Moderator
CYO Moderator
Posts: 2472
Joined: February 5th, 2013, 9:24 pm
Vessel Info: 1995 Boston Whaler Rage15
1987 3697 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar 46 Kevlar Vee offshore
1969 15' Glasspar / 1967 Johnson Electromatic 85
1996 Boston Whaler Rage 15
Location: Saint Joseph,Mi
Has thanked: 53 times
Been thanked: 419 times

Re: Norcold DE-251E

Postby waybomb » June 27th, 2013, 9:24 pm

Oooooo, I downloaded that manual and saved it. Great find! I hope I never have to use it, but it sure is good to have it just in case!
Thanks
Fred
1969 Glaspar Avalon /1967 Johnson Electromatic 85
1987 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar Kevlar 46' with triple blown 572 ci
1995 Boston Whaler Rage
Past - 1988 2807, 1989 4207 Aft

Return to “General Repairs & Maintenance”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 32 guests