As an update to any who are looking at similar projects. In the end I had to replace the unit at a cost of about $1500. The copper pipes (one of them a small capiliary) between the cold plate and the unit cracked from movement and I could not find anyone in my area willing to replace them for less that what a new unit would cost.
The install approach ended up including cutting a hole in the side of the cabinet to be able to thread the tubing from unit to cold plate (my choice vs dissimulating the entire counter) which I have patched and covered with a fairly similar laminent patch. Not ideal but with over 80 other projects on the to do list, good enough for now.
I am now much more knowledgable in all things refrigeration and would recommend others to consider the DYI approach, but perhaps pay more attention to the sunk cost fallacy than I did and consider turning around earlier.
If anyone is in the market for 101N0202 (or similar) controllers I have 2 for sale.
The install approach ended up including cutting a hole in the side of the cabinet to be able to thread the tubing from unit to cold plate (my choice vs dissimulating the entire counter) which I have patched and covered with a fairly similar laminent patch. Not ideal but with over 80 other projects on the to do list, good enough for now.
I am now much more knowledgable in all things refrigeration and would recommend others to consider the DYI approach, but perhaps pay more attention to the sunk cost fallacy than I did and consider turning around earlier.
If anyone is in the market for 101N0202 (or similar) controllers I have 2 for sale.