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Trackrig's avatar
Trackrig
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2017

Norcolc 1200 cooling fan

I have a Norcold 1200 installed in a 2005 Fleetwood Excursion 39S DP. We just flew into St Louis and got the MH out of storage. It was warm outside. Inside the MH and the refer according to the remote thermometer it was over 90F.

The refer is giving us problems. The refer will quit and the front control panel shows "NO CO". I've had to get inside the control box on the rear of the refer and reset it twice using a jumper between a ground point and the #2 pin on the top left of the main pin connection.

This restarted the refer, but then it quit again four hours later. In further internet research it was suggested to unplug the thermister, which we did and used the jumper on the #2 pin again. It started up and this time it has continued to operate longer than four hours. We'll go look for a new thermister tomorrow.

In further research it's suggested to check the OEM fan on the back of the refer above the coils. In looking the Norcold 1200 installation instructions, with pictures, it shows two fans when the refer is installed in a slide out to help push the heat out the top side vent. The pictures DO NOT show any fans installed when the refer is INSTALLED IN THE MAIN BODY OF THE MH and has the long vent hood directly above the refer on the roof.

So for those of you that have been into a 1200 installed in the main body of the MH (not in the slide) does it have a fan or fans on it that just doesn't show on my installation instructions?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Bill
  • doxiemom11 wrote:
    Ours is in the main body and we have never seen or heard any fans. Don't think we have them.

    I don't hear them either, but supposedly have them. No codes to the contrary, either and worked as well as you could expect a NEVERCOLD to work.
    Along the way, I've installed a 120vac fan in the back for when the fridge is loaded and we have other than inverter power. Most recently I installed an ARP contol box and one of the 12vdc fans that came with it, to replace the failed NORCOLD recall box.
    The 12v fan always runs, however, but with a low current draw and not a problem when running on propane. Besides, the inverter supplies a lot more, like a small basement fridge, TV...etc... when staying at Wally World or the like.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    All 1200s have two fans and you should be able to hear them running from outside. Unfortunately you have to remove the unit to get to them and the snap switch that turns them on. A 120V fan blowing in the the outside vent if you are parked will get it to work.

    With a platform almost as high as the bottom of the refrigerator you can slide it out and turn to access the back. Four screws top and bottom plus a couple on the bottom from the outside hold it in. Unhook the power, water, and propane and with someone prying on the bottom while you pull on the inside...first inch is the hardest it will slide out. You can run a pair of wires from the snap switch down so you can manually turn them on...if both fans are not working it's usually the snap switch. I added a third 12V fan at the bottom to help the air flow.

    Before removing check the amount of gap with a mirror, between the coils and the outside wall...less is better and adding a baffle while out is something many have done as the unit was never installed correctly and a 1200 needs all the help it can get.

    I doubt your thermistor is bad and there is a procedure where you can have it show the temp of the fins on the control display.
  • There are two box fans mounted about 1/2 way up the rear of the fridge, just above the lower heat exchange coils. They are standard Norcold issue with all 1200 refers. If you don't hear them they are likely broken. This if another Norcold fopa.. the OEM fans probably lack the IP rating to live in that enviroment.
  • Ours is in the main body and we have never seen or heard any fans. Don't think we have them.