Installing U-Line Ice Machine in 3950 HD

wiredawgchief

Active Member
Friends, I've finally gotten around to installing my 13 year old U-Line ice maker into our 3950. The ice maker costs around $1,000 now and was $800 back in 2000. My biggest delay was trying to figure out where it would fit. I considered the basement, looked at the kitchen island, but nothing would work. Then I got curious what was in the area under the garage bathroom cabinet. I was concerned about cutting the rounded out outer area (see in picture) without know what structure, plumbing, or wiring might be in there. So, I went opened the cabinet door under the sink and drilled about a 5/8" hole and inserted my trusty video camera snake (Milwaukee) and could see it was all open. So, I measured from the doorway to about 3/4" passed the bathroom cabinet structure. I went out to the garage doorway and measure the same distance back. I needed 14" wide, 25" tall and 17" deep. So, I used a square to mark those dimensions on the curved wall, actually rotating the square along the curve while marking. I cut out the paneling using a utility knife. I needed to cut out a backing support for the paneling with a saws all. I measured again. I had to cut about 1/2" to 5/8" of a 1"X1" support just to the right of the ladder frame for going into the loft. I had to cut about 5/8" off another support for the paneling as it straightens towards the recliners. The ice machine fits in with about 1/16" clearance on either side. The ice machine vents to the front, so no worry about dissipating heat. Exposed are the hot and cold waterline for the sink in the garage bathroom sink. Another PEC waterline feeds the toilet, which is the one I cut, installed a 1/2" Shark-bite T connector, a short 3" piece of 1/2" PEC water line and a 1/2" Shark-bite 1/4 turn valve with a 1/4" compression nut for the ice maker waterline. I'm testing the unit now to see if old faithful still shoots out ice at a prolific (23lbs/day) ice. Here are the pictures so far. I still need to install a ground fault electric outlet that will come from the outlet by the recliner. One picture shows the hole I made to "see" into the area before major cutting. I'll take more pics and continue as I dress it up to look good. This is not for the meek...cutting stuff takes a lot of patience and care. Ron
 

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jbeletti

Well-known member
Wow Ron - you're not afraid to tackle anything. Looking forward to seeing the finished product picture. Unreal all the space you found there.
 

wiredawgchief

Active Member
JBeletti: This is the coolest, most fun RV I've owned. It's versatile, great spaces, functional and can serve many folks. On our second outing, we parked on the beach about 75' from the water in Rock Port TX. We had the grand kids, nephews and nieces. Best fun we've ever had camping. We're prepping to take the gang to Disney World in June. More to come. Thanks, Ron
 

jbeletti

Well-known member
Great to hear Ron. Keep the mods coming. It's inspring to others to see just what a person can do to "make it their own".
 

wiredawgchief

Active Member
Hi fellow Cycloners, I have some pics of completing all the functional work for the ice maker. And after 13 years of faithful service, the icemaker churns out about ever 20 minutes. I had previously completed tying in the water...this time I make the electrical connection. The plug by the recliners is fed from the garage half bath GFCI circuit, so all I did was drill a hole in the 1"x1" support, run a little romex through, tie it into the wires at the recliner outlet and install the receptacle up and out of the way in the 1"x1". I completed the floor and finally figured out using vinyl trim after failing to get wooden molding to make the turn. I found some cherry wood vinyl contact paper to cover the white vinyl. I glued the vinyl and used heat gun to form it and have it clamped while the glue sets. next time, I'll post completed pics. enjoy, Ron
 

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porthole

Retired
Was wondering how you were going to trim that curve - waiting to see the end result.
Wish those U-Lines were not so expensive. Now yo need an inverter so the ice will be good to go when you arrive!
 

wiredawgchief

Active Member
Porthole, I have a system with ice. I have a 168qt ice chest I fill here from a free source. I use the ice machine when setup that replenishes ice used. Hmm, might have to check out the inverter possibilities. Yeah, I'm curious how the finish molding will turn out as well. I hope to finish today and post the finished result. Ron
 

wiredawgchief

Active Member
Friends, I'm finally done! I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Take a look. Pls, don't hesitate to suggest an improvement or additional ideas...that's one of the benefits of this forum. The contact paper worked great. I painted the floor of the icemaker leather brown Rustoleum from Home Depot. I'm trying to talk the wife into heading over to Del Rio for a couple of days...wish me luck. Thanks all and take care. Ron
 

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Knowles24

Member
I just installed a brand new Uline ice maker in my travel trailer. It was a custom install that replaced a cabinet. I used the shelf I removed to make a custom door insert so the machine looks as if it came from the factory installed. I'd love to post pictures but since I'm new the forum won't let me.
 

jbeletti

Well-known member
I just installed a brand new Uline ice maker in my travel trailer. It was a custom install that replaced a cabinet. I used the shelf I removed to make a custom door insert so the machine looks as if it came from the factory installed. I'd love to post pictures but since I'm new the forum won't let me.

Just one more approved post and you can come back to this post and add your picture to it. Love to see it.
 

Knowles24

Member
Here's my new ice maker. It's a uline with flange. I'll have to find the original photos when it was a cabinet. I removed the door and shelf, cut a half inch off each side and shimmed the floor. I installed a 1/4" ice maker line kit from home depot ($25) and a GE 1/4" in line water filter. Installed an outlet and plugged the unit in. These are great because they do not need a drain line. We're going camping this weekend and I only need to sell 1000 lbs of ice for $1 a pound to recoup my money, haha! It will never pay for itself but it sure is nice to have 25 lbs of ice per day and I think it sure looks great in my camper!

The photo showing the kitchen sink is what my ice maker backs up to. It was super easy to splice into the cold water line and the electrical line. It's also conveniently located to the kitchen and to the outdoors- wherever we need ice.
 

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TravelTiger

Founding Texas-West Chapter Leaders-Retired
Here's my new ice maker. It's a uline with flange. I'll have to find the original photos when it was a cabinet. I removed the door and shelf, cut a half inch off each side and shimmed the floor. I installed a 1/4" ice maker line kit from home depot ($25) and a GE 1/4" in line water filter. Installed an outlet and plugged the unit in. These are great because they do not need a drain line. We're going camping this weekend and I only need to sell 1000 lbs of ice for $1 a pound to recoup my money, haha! It will never pay for itself but it sure is nice to have 25 lbs of ice per day and I think it sure looks great in my camper!

The photo showing the kitchen sink is what my ice maker backs up to. It was super easy to splice into the cold water line and the electrical line. It's also conveniently located to the kitchen and to the outdoors- wherever we need ice.

Great mod! Looks like factory with the wood matching and all!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Knowles24

Member
Great mod! Looks like factory with the wood matching and all!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! I reused the shelf and cut it down to size to fit the door. There was just enough good panel left to make the door insert. We had a great time camping- there was plenty of ice to keep the cooler stocked and enough for drinks for everyone everyday.
 
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