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cooldavidt's avatar
cooldavidt
Explorer
Jul 27, 2016

Any ideas on the best Norcold fridge service in Vancouver BC

My fridge works, but is slowly failing as it cannot keep a cold temperature. Running about 50 degrees now.

Needs a service.

I don't think I can do this myself, but could try if anyone has experience.
  • Ate you running on electric or lp? Has the find inside the fridge iced up? What is the model?
  • I was away for 5 days returning yesterday. 4 of those were 'off grid' running on propane.

    The interior temp then kept slipping downwards. On the 5th day we moved and had a powered site. Same. I could here the power panel cooling fan come on repeatedly. The only draw was the fridge at that time.

    There is no ammonia smell, no service codes showing up as would be suggested by the Norcold owner manual.
  • The fan was probably running because the battery was being charged after being off grid. If the battery was discharged significantly, the fridge may have just stopped working.

    On propane, biggest culprit is usually a clogged burner or flue. The flue just needs to get blown out with pressurized air to clean out any soot buildup. The burner is easy to check by opening the little inspection cover and examine to make sure the flame is pure blue, no yellow.
  • Thanks kolhdad

    My volt meter showed my twin Interstate golf cart batteries to be in good shape as we used very little power off grid as it was sunny and light here in the north country well into the evening.

    The guy at the local RV repairs says it needs to be replaced!

    Waiting for the quote........
  • Wait a minute. Don't jump to replace the fridge just yet. Don't know the model you have but google search Norcold fridge re-set. this worked for me and is very possible to do although it is a lengthly procedure. Also if the unit fails on gas, these are notroious for rust scale falling down on to the burner. Check it out before replacing the unit.
  • If you have to replace, consider going to a 120 volt residential model, add solar panels and an inverter to run it. Cost will be quite similar.
  • Did they tell you "Why" it had to be replaced? About the only reason it would need to be replaced is an ammonia leak which they can show you the greenish/yellowish discharge at the leak. But odds are you should have been smelling it too.
  • My understanding is that most absorption fridges die from blockages not from leaks.

    kohldad wrote:
    Did they tell you "Why" it had to be replaced? About the only reason it would need to be replaced is an ammonia leak which they can show you the greenish/yellowish discharge at the leak. But odds are you should have been smelling it too.

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