Finding Norcold N300-3 Heating Elements

[kenfro]

Hi Everyone, This is my first post on this forum.
I recently purchased a 2005 Leisure Travel T1N motorhome and am having trouble finding parts for the Refrigerator. It's a Norcold N300-3 and since it's so old, a lot of parts for it have been discontinued. At the moment I'm looking for a DC heat element PN 620451 it's 14v/150watt. I have also heard there is another number that could work (not confirmed) is 630808 which has roughly the same specs.
I'm just wondering if anybody out there happens to know where a person might go to find some of these rare parts or if anyone has ever adapted other parts to replace the original.
I would also be interested in getting a replacement for the 120 VAC heat element as well to keep as a spare PN 620451 it's 180 watt/120VAC.
Let me know if you can help... Thanks, Kenfro

 

[youngnretired]

Welcome to the forum. I don't have a whole lot of experience with these heating elements, but an idea for you.

When I looked up the 620451 part number you listed (note that you have it listed as both 14V and 120V), when I found a picture of it, my first thought was that it looked pretty close to what the 120V element does for our Dometic RM2554 refrigerator. It may be a little longer body before the curve and the curve may have more or less of a radius to it, but overall similar. I also don't know if the bracket that these elements goes into is pretty similar or not, but your element is supposed to be 150W and the element in our Dometic is 175W. You may be able to find a similar element that's also 150W that shares the same physical characteristics as your element, but maybe the bend in it is slightly different than what's supposed to be in yours, but overall, with a little adaption to your specific unit, it may work.

When I look up the specs for the 630808 number, that comes up as 196W, and I would say that it's likely going to pull more amperage on your system than what it was designed for and I would try to find one that's closer in wattage to 150W.

Maybe call an RV service location (probably better to stop by) and ask a technician if the bracket that holds these elements is pretty much the same between similar wattage units, and see if they can source a 150W element that looks similar to yours and give it a try?

 

[kenfro]

Thanks for the feedback YO. It got me started again, not going to give up yet.

 

[kenfro]

Corrections, the 120VAC / 180w heater element is supposed to be PN 620461 (not 620451). Also the the alternate for the 620451 14v / 150w unit is supposed to be 630809 (not 63080.
Sorry for the errors.

 

[youngnretired]

I'd also like to suggest adding a Fridge Defend System to your 3-way refrigerator if you don't have one. If you're not familiar with these, they will monitor the boiler temperature of your refrigerator's ammonia system and shut it down if the boiler temperature gets too high. Too high of a temperature can result in fires or crystallizing in the amonia system which over time will cause the fridge to not operate well or at all.

I installed one of these on our fridge early this spring. We did run into issues on our recent trip while plugged into shore power. Come to find out that the installer (that was me) installed the temperature sensor a little too low to the electrical heating element and that resulted in the system shutting down the fridge and going into alarm at 5:30 one morning in a campground while plugged into shore power. It ran fine on propane, so we kept it on propane since that first incident and just a week ago is when I found out that the sensor was installed too low on the boiler stack. Even though the issue was caused by me, it actually did it's job and alerted us that there was an issue. It's also a fairly easy system to install.

ARP Fridge Defend

 

[ChicagoTom]

Just run it on propane. It cost about 35 cents a day. Regarding the Fridge Defend System, it's a scam, so don't waste your money. Nice scare tactics and slick ads. LOL
Ex HVAC and Refrigeration Tech.

 

[youngnretired]

Regarding the Fridge Defend System, it's a scam, so don't waste your money. Nice scare tactics and slick ads. LOL

Can you elaborate on your opinion please? Seriously, I'd like to get your thoughts from someone who's been in the refrigeration business in the past.

 

[ChicagoTom]

Can you elaborate on your opinion please? Seriously, I'd like to get your thoughts from someone who's been in the refrigeration business in the past.

Kind of funny that they actually tout this on their website, and this is on 5 Stars:
"Fridge Defend by ARP Rated
3.3 stars based on 13076 customer reviews"
And also use lots of confusing BS to go along with it. I'm sorry that you spent the money for it, and really it's just a scam. Using language like, "Family safety" The photo with the happy family, and then a photo with their burnt up RV. Then the story about how the dog woke them up by licking the master's face. How about the "I think the dog should get a steak for saving hi life" Seriously comical Dr Drew Sales Pitch stuff. LOL

 

[youngnretired]

I'm seriously interested in your professional opinion of the system, from an HVAC tech professionals perspective, not anyone's personal opinion on what the website says or doesn't say, pictures they use or what they claim.

 

[ChicagoTom]

You made a great investment...I'm done with this, because that's what you wanted to hear. LOL

 

[peteco]

I have had a ARP fridge defend on my Dometic 2554 fridge for over 10 years. It works as advertised, though I agree some of the info is a bit goofy. They are expensive but worth it if you plan to keep the vehicle for many years.

 

[youngnretired]

They are expensive but worth it if you plan to keep the vehicle for many years.

I have plans to remove ours when we're looking to get a newer unit and reinstall on that newer unit.

I believe the technology is sound, because an absorption fridge can and will damage itself and catch fire if/when the ammonia system gets a leak or if it's parked at an angle for too long and the fridge isn't turned off. Its like any other added aftermarket safety device or improvement to a system. You have a warning system or piece of mind from the improvement.