Picked up an older Norcold fridge.

[Shahram]

Found a Norcold 12V fridge (early 90's--used) on Craigslist for $150.

Went to take a look at it. It's a little bulkier than the newer models (especially in the motor compartment), but looks basically the same. I don't know crap about 12V fridges, and the guy I bought it from didn't know jack about it either (it belonged to his grandfather), I figured what the hell--might as well buy it out of curiosity. Do you guys think I did the right thing?

Here's a couple of pics:

 

[Russ in California]

Probably. $150 is cheap. I picked one up a couple of years ago for $275. The bugger I bought it from didn't package it well and it came in damaged but still works well.

Front corner mashed in and top squished.

You'll be happy once you get it wired in and start using it.
Sure be nice to drop the coin for a new one but I have other things I can use the cash on.
I've had mine down to -1.5 degrees not that I need it to get that cold for what I do.
They do take up some space but very nice to have on a hot day even if you're not on the trail.
Good luck and nice buy.

 

[Skillet]

From what I understand, you can roll them down mountains and they still work.

You made the right call.

I know I would have bought it...

Not that I do everything right, but, I still would have bought it.

 

[loeky]

looks like a great deal for the money if it works as needed. strip her down and give it a good paint job. should work for a while i hope.

i bought a new one, but still think it's been the best camping equipment since the tent. best thing is the fiancee agrees.

 

[wesintl]

Do you guys think I did the right thing?

Heck Yeah Shahram. Did you plug it in yet? You'll wonder how you ever got by with a cooler!

Congrats!

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Great score. There is nothing better for camping out of a wagon. No soggy bread, no funk water. Nice cold drinks. Test the temp on various settings, as they will freeze ALL your stuff if you arn't careful.

 

[FirstToy]

looks real vintage Shahram, nice score! Can't loose for that price

 

[Montana Cruiser]

If it cools, you done good! I got burned on one off Craigslist earlier this year, but ended up making a good score on another one, the Cruiser Gods smiled on me late in the game I guess I'd say $150 is a steal.

 

[davegonz]

Good score..looks to be in good shape. You going to chill that roll of toilet paper? Might feel good in the summer...

 

[Brentbba]

If it cools - I'd say great find!

 

[e9999]

and a free roll of TP too...! a real score indeed!

 

[TomH]

Ever since Shahram posted this I've been watching Craigslist. Sunday evening I saw an older Norcold listed for $50 so I bought it. It an MRFT-660 that is probably over 20 years old - but it still works. I plugged it in and in about 1.5 hours, ice was forming on a glass of water. I figure for the price, it's hard to go wrong. The thing is pretty big though, bigger than I expected.

 

[Shahram]

Nice one. I've been wondering, though...with all of us vintage fridge guys running our units at 5.5 Amps, how much juice does that mean at the battery? I hear the newer ones consume a fraction of the juice...is it dual battery time, or can I get away with what I've got?

 

[photogod]

Dualies. The bat might last 1.5 days?!

 

[TomH]

I've been collecting parts for the dual battery setup for close to two years now. I think I have everything I need - except time.

As far as power consumption, it should be a fairly easy calculation. For example, the fridge I picked up uses 7 amps. If I estimate that it will run for 20 minutes every hour (no idea on this number, just guessing), then it will run 8 hours per day. So, 7 amps X 8 hours = 56 amp-hrs/day. If my battery has a 75 amp/hr rating - well, you can see that I may have a problem after a day or so of continuous use.

Tom

 

[SOCALFJ]

There's on in the Los Angeles Craigslist... but she wants $500 for it.. and it's only a few years old.

 

[Bongo]

very nice.

I found one local to me not too long ago for $300.
It was a 40 quar model that the owner originally paid $999.95 for (it had the original sales sticker on the lid).

 

[reffug]

Nice one. I've been wondering, though...with all of us vintage fridge guys running our units at 5.5 Amps, how much juice does that mean at the battery? I hear the newer ones consume a fraction of the juice...is it dual battery time, or can I get away with what I've got?

I would suggest duals.

 

[Clutchee]

I have ran my norcold while wheeling, come back to camp for the night, it runs all night then start the rig the next morning.

But if the truck sits 2 days your toast.

Oh yea, just pick up a big 60 Norcold off ebay for a steal;p

 

[Charkill]

Picked this bad boy up today for 150$ on Craigslist. AC cord powered the unit up nicely but the DC cord isn't fitted with a cig style plug only two (I'm guessing here) 14ga wires labeled battery pos. And battery neg. does this mean I must hardwire it to the battery? It draws 5.5 amps on DC power so on a 12v circuit that should be about 62.5watts and should easily be handled by the 100series system. Or am I missing something? This happens to be my first post on this page and it's on a nearly decade old thread. Here's hoping for an answer.