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prstlk's avatar
prstlk
Explorer
Apr 03, 2016

Norcold (Nevercold) fridge issues - AGAIN!

We are again having issues with our wonderful Norcold Fridge.

After many, many, many calls and letters to Thetford late last year they finally agreed in January to replace our cooling unit. This was to replace a cooling unit that was installed in February of 2015. So within 11 months we have now had 2 new cooling units installed. Both were installed by authorized repair people. The person who installed the last one says that the ventilation is all good and the fridge compartment placement is correct.

Everything worked fine for 2 months. We were stationary for those 2 months at a work camping job.

We left the job on the 3rd of March and now, 1 month later, we are having issues again.

The first issue is that it has quit working on AC. It will only work on LP.

The other issue is that we now have temps in the fridge compartment that are over 50 degrees and we have things spoiling before their use by date. We have it turned up as high as we can to 9.

The freezer is working great still and the ice maker is making ice.

The black 1 liter cylinder on the back of the unit is very warm to the touch but the fans are on and working. I reaching up on the coils they are only slightly warm.

The weather where we are located has been in the 60's and 70's so nothing too hot.

Again, I will ask, does anyone have any suggestions?

Our rig is a 2007 Holiday Rambler and the fridge is the Norcold 1200 but it has the newest cooling unit they have on it.

Please don't answer with "replace it" or "ditch it". Cuz we are looking at option. We are wanting good, reasonable help from preferably someone who has been here before.
  • How level were you during the two months? It sounds as if the fridge cooling system has been overheated.
  • Obviously, you need to get the A/C side working. My experience has been that the 1200's performed worse as you raised the temp past 5 on the thermostat.
  • hanko wrote:
    residential frig might be the answer for you


    Ummm... :S

    Please don't answer with "replace it" or "ditch it".

    Seeing as the freezer portion seems to be working apparently the cooking unit itself is working as it should. Moving the thermistor is a simple, easy suggestion that makes perfect sense.
  • 1. ANY codes?
    2. IF not working on 120, there should be codes
    3. The new cooling unit came with 2 new 120 elements, so they should be good
    4. GAS pressure and clean burner and orifice will cause cooling problems. Also verify the LP baffle is installed.
    5. Since you were stationary for 2 months, does that mean it ran 24/7 on 120 volts for those 2 months and you never had a chance to see performance on LP?
    6. Odds are you just need a competent Technician to check the parameters I have listed above.
    7. Is this unit in a slide room?
    8. It is also possible the upper rear area, the air ventilation baffles have shifted and are causing a rear air flow problem. Doug
  • What is the altitude at your last place and the new place? According to the Norcold owner's manual, reduced cooling above 5500 feet is to be expected. May not be the issue, but had to ask.

    Jim
  • Move the thermister farther from the core of the fridge, mine is on the second to last fin on the right. Moving it away from the core lowers the inside temp.

    You can make sure that you have good airflow in the outside compartment and the roof vent (or top vent) is not blocked by something like a bird or mud dauber's nest.
  • Is the control box giving you any kind of code. Last time I had something like what you are experiencing I called a repairman when I was in Klamath, Ca. He went to the outside and opened a black box that had a couple of five amp fuses. He replaced one and the Norcold started working again on AC power.