Surplus RV places in Elkhart

[Tedsoldbus]

I was given their name by 2 or 3 board members. They also have an add in FMCA if you have a copy laying around. Great people to talk to. Family run.
Good luck

[Jim Blackwood]

Thanks. Shipshewana is 4-1/2 hours out, RV Cooling just below Memphis is about 7-1/2 hours so an easy choice there. Looks like a side trip with Ickes and Botrangers (or whatever)

I'll also ask my brother Andy who he knows up there since he used to hang with the Menonites.

I'm just guessing they may be a little happier with the old non-electronic controls.

Jim

[dtcerrato]

JC Refrigeration is the largest of at least a few RV refrigeration places in that immediate area
 I think most ownership/management between the businesses are kinfolk. JC wouldn't touch our small obsolete fridge but the one down the street did as they had a nos cooling unit that would fit our need. JC does the newer bigger stuff. We stayed in a real nice RV park less than a mile away 50A hook up. We rolled the bus & toad right into the shop behind a personal residence on a fine farm  on the w/e. We pulled the fridge out with the aid of a farm hand & dropped it off at the shop. They called us Monday at the RV park & told us the fridge was finished. Picked it up, installed it & onward to the 2nd AK trip in 2019. It's the coldest of any absorption fridges we have ever owned attributed to as the Amish put it "their own recipe"! That was one really cool experience - Shipshewana - the whole place...

[Jim Blackwood]

Good to know. I'm still trying for that $200 fridge, at least I did hear back. If it isn't quite up to snuff maybe the Amish will recharge it for me. Has a door that matches my woodwork too which is a plus. Downside is the drive, about 2-1/2 hrs away.

But even if I do get that one there are other things I need so that trip is still on. Be nice if I could go up for a couple days but maybe, maybe not.

Jim

[Jim Blackwood]

Picked up that Norcold today. Looks pretty good. About a year old, 8 cu. ft., will fit under my bins with 1/4" to spare. Apparently still under warranty as well. So why was I able to buy it for $200?

It seems it doesn't work on 120v and the owner just replaced it and had no clue about the electrics so he offered it up for sale. Supposed to work correctly on gas. With a little luck I should be able to hook it up to a propane bottle tomorrow and see. Then look at the 120v side.

I did a good bit of driving today, probably about 500 miles in two different directions but I got the fridge and also a roll-top desk which I think will make a nice work area in the bus. Took the day off from wood working. Back on that tomorrow.

In a few days I'll start to move on to the other items on the list. A range top and a sink and a water heater are probably next. Those will be a challenge to get right.

Jim

[Dave5Cs]

Dinosaur sells the 120 boards and there is also a fuse that sometimes goes out on those boards.

[luvrbus]

The 20 dollar heating element goes bad to, or the mickey mouse slide switch on the panel,it has to have a good 12v supply also to change over.When he does his testing and has a code it may be nothing except the board needs resetting with a jumper   

[richard5933]

The 20 dollar heating element goes bad to, or the mickey mouse slide switch on the panel,it has to have a good 12v supply also to change over.When he does his testing and has a code it may be nothing except the board needs resetting with a jumper   

That 120v heating element is a common problem. Same for bad connections. Easy to troubleshoot the 120v side with a multimeter to determine where the problem lies.

[Jim Blackwood]

Did a few checks. Applied power and got no lights and the pwr button does nothing apparently. Checked fuses, there are 3 of them, all 3 checked good. Pulled the leads for the heating element and it reads open so that's a problem. There was some black gunk on the leads of U7 on the board right above the power plug. Cleaned that off but couldn't see anything. Got a regulator on it ready to hook up a bottle. The model is NA8LX. Next is to detach the board so I can inspect the back side and pull the heater shroud to inspect the element.

Wish it had an icemaker but for that price I can't complain. I do have an old GE icemaker but no ice bucket.

Jim

[luvrbus]

Still takes 12v to the controls doesn't it

[chessie4905]

Taotronics makes a nice tabletop icemaker. We bought one before we started our cross countrytrip. This thing works great, and use it about every 3 days to fill up two or three gallon freezer bags and store in freezer. Available from Amazon. Absolutely love it!
https://www.taotronics.com/products/tt-ic002-electric-ice-maker-with-scoop-basket

[Jim Blackwood]

The gas burner runs but the fridge doesn't get cold. I seem to remember something about not laying them on their sides. I had to do that to bring it home. Any of you guys know about that and what it does?

Jim

[luvrbus]

The gas burner runs but the fridge doesn't get cold. I seem to remember something about not laying them on their sides. I had to do that to bring it home. Any of you guys know about that and what it does?

Jim

Start the burner run for a couple of hours then tap the coils with a rubber hammer and most of the time they will start circuiting again and cool 

[chessie4905]

After hauling one on their side place upright for a couple days to avoid getting a vapor lock.

https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/showthread.php/21078-Burping-the-Refrigerator

[Jim Blackwood]

I'll try the rubber hammer today. The new heating element will be here in a week.

Jim