Q. I’m curious about how to replace the AC heating elements in a 1200lr Norcold refrigerator. Can it be done without removing the entire unit?
— H.I.,Gibsonville, North Carolina
A. It’s a big job, H.I., and it can’t be done without moving the refrigerator. In order to reach the parts in question, which are on the fridge’s back side in that tight space between the fridge and the RV’s outside wall, you need to move the fridge in, toward the RV’s interior, at least 12 inches. That calls for unbolting the unit from its mounts and disconnecting the LP-gas supply – and probably the electrical supply as well.
After moving the fridge (which weighs about 240 pounds), you need to draw the heater up out of the heater tube, install the new part and its insulation, and so forth. In short, it’s a fairly involved process.
— J.J.
Jeff Johnston, TL consulting editor, started RVing at age 6. During his more than 20 years as a writer/photographer, he has worked for Truckin’ and Four Wheeler magazines before joining TL’s technical staff in 1985. Johnston also has produced an award-winning travel video and TV commercials
