Forum Discussion

dclark1946's avatar
dclark1946
Explorer
Aug 28, 2018

Elevated Fridge Temp Issue

We are planning on leaving in two days for a three week camping trip but am concerned about fridge interior temp on a Norcold N81X Model N811FRT. Here is what I know:

Fridge location: slide
Fridge interior temp: 60 F
Freezer temp: 0 F
Outside temp: 96 F
Trailer interior temp:78 F (running A/C)
Fan output temp: 114 F (just before the fin assy)
Operation: propane
Temp setting: 5 (max cold)
Indicator lights: gas light on other indicator green
Fan: operating and sounds normal
Burner: can see blue flame
Time on: 20 hours turned on last night outside temp was 78 this morning. Set A/C thermostat for 75 F
Internal fan: Yes standard 2 D cell fridge fan.

We have prepped all of our trailers during the high 90s many times and don't think we have had this issue. This trailer is 2 years old and the fridge has always been operated level. The fridge was removed this spring to replace the warped slide floor. We used the trailer once since then for a Easter campout with cooler temps and it seemed to be ok and food and drink seemed to be pretty cold.

I would like some technical input on this issue so we can make a decision about taking this trip.

Thanks
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Aug 29, 2018
    1. You ARE level?
    2. Your temps do not compute 0 in the freezer but only 60 in the refer?
    3. Based on your temp readings, your Norcold should be in LOCK OUT(n or NO/CO)
    4. I believe your temp readings from your last post, but the refer should be locked out.
    5. Based on your temp readings, it would indicate a blocked Cooling unit. Your temp readings are exactly what a blocked cooling unit would do. But, I do not believe you have a blocked Cooling Unit.
    6. You need an LP pressure test to verify the LP pressure is correct (11.5 inches w/c).
    7. You need to operate on 120 and see what happens. Doug

    PS, since the refer was removed for the repair, it is possible when they reinstalled, they caused some type of rear ventilation blockage or damaged the upper cabinet that seals off the rear top cabinet of the refer. Being in a slide room, the ventilation is critical, but as I stated, the refer should be in lock out mode.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Aug 29, 2018
    goff1256 wrote:
    Turn it off and get a technician these norcold refrigerators burned down motorhomes they have a heating element to help it defrost and they catch on fire this is very abnormal for a refrigerator not to cool down in the interior box when the freezer is down to zero this refrigerator has a problem find the technician turn it off before it burns down your house


    ABSOLUTE NONSENSE. Where did you get this bs? Doug

    They do NOT have a defrost Heating element
    They do NOT catch on fire
  • dclark1946's avatar
    dclark1946
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2018
    mike-s wrote:
    How and where did you measure the interior temp? Is the fridge empty? Do you have an interior fan?


    I have a wireless sensor sitting on the middle shelf in the middle of the shelf. I also have a glass of water with a digital temp probe and the two agree within o.5 deg. Not much food in there now except 6 soft drinks and 2 personal size bottles of water. We took out the egg carton, milk, some produce and some fresh fruit. I do have one of those battery operated inside fridge fans sitting on the bottom shelf.

    Condenser fan exhaust temp at top exterior panel on the slide was 134 deg F with inlet air temp at lower fridge panel was 95 deg late afternoon.
  • mike-s's avatar
    mike-s
    Explorer
    Aug 28, 2018
    How and where did you measure the interior temp? Is the fridge empty? Do you have an interior fan?
  • MDKMDK's avatar
    MDKMDK
    Explorer
    Aug 28, 2018
    From the DE-EV0061 Owner's Manual - may not be relevant, or it might?

    "CAUTION: Do not operate the refrigerator when the
    ambient temperature is higher than 110° F. Operation of
    the refrigerator when the ambient temperature is higher
    than 110° F will start the over heating shut-off device on
    models DE0041T and DE0061T only. See the “Overheating
    shut-off device” section.
    Operation of other models when the ambient temperature
    is higher than 110° F. can cause poor cooling
    performance and permanent damage to the compressor."

    Note the warning/reference to other models and the ambient temperature. I know it may be apples/oranges, but a lot of this fridge thermal stuff applies across the board.
    Based on your posted numbers, you may be pretty close to too hot outside, but your inside trailer temp is reasonable. I'm not sure how much of an effect the external air temperature has on the fridge, but some part of it has to be exposed to those temps, if only the back side and the external venting, if any. Food for thought? (sorry, no pun intended)
  • Larryect's avatar
    Larryect
    Explorer
    Aug 28, 2018
    Have you tried it on electric?

    I have similar issues with my N811, but my box temp was lower, but after loading with food I coudn't get the thermometer to read below 40 I was lucky to get 50. Haven't come to a conclusion yet. However, certain things froze in the fridge box and I also have an interior fan. That made me wonder about the thermometer. But my ice cream was also VERY soft. Sorry, not helping.
  • goff1256's avatar
    goff1256
    Explorer
    Aug 28, 2018
    Turn it off and get a technician these norcold refrigerators burned down motorhomes they have a heating element to help it defrost and they catch on fire this is very abnormal for a refrigerator not to cool down in the interior box when the freezer is down to zero this refrigerator has a problem find the technician turn it off before it burns down your house
  • bgum's avatar
    bgum
    Explorer
    Aug 28, 2018
    I added a second exterior fan and an interior fan for the same problem. Haven't tried it yet but hopefully it will do the trick.

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