Forum Discussion

RJsfishin's avatar
RJsfishin
Explorer
Feb 10, 2015

Fridge won't stay burning in hot sun

Fridge works perfectly until the hot sun get on the outside grill, usually starts going out (F code) about 2 pm. It will lite back up no problem, but will burn only 10-15 minutes. At about 6 pm, it work like a new one again.
I'm sure it must be electrical shutting off the gas valve,.....pointing to a control board over heating ???

Think a small fan moving some air in the outside compartment mite help ?.
It really isn't a problem as long as I remember to relite it, but if it mite be a simple fix, such as a small fan, I'd try it.
  • marcsbigfoot20b's avatar
    marcsbigfoot20b
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2015
    It's extremely difficult to troubleshoot your problem over the internet when we don't know what year, make, model of trailer with or without slides, etc.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Feb 10, 2015
    The heat build up from the sun is minor compared to the heat generated by the LP burner. I have NEVER had or heard of a heat issue causing a Control board malfunction on a refer. When this happens again, fire up the refer on LP and immediately lite the stove top burners(all 3 or 4). See if the stove top burners either do not all light or the flame is very low. I would suspect heat causing the LP regulator to malfunction. You DO have clear unobstructed ventilation all the way up the refer roof top vent? Doug
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2015
    I'm near positive its not a propane problem, but I'll check the stove. If that is still burning right on flameout, I'm thinking I should watch the voltage on the gas valve when it flames out.

    Thanks Doug

    dougrainer wrote:
    The heat build up from the sun is minor compared to the heat generated by the LP burner. I have NEVER had or heard of a heat issue causing a Control board malfunction on a refer. When this happens again, fire up the refer on LP and immediately lite the stove top burners(all 3 or 4). See if the stove top burners either do not all light or the flame is very low. I would suspect heat causing the LP regulator to malfunction. You DO have clear unobstructed ventilation all the way up the refer roof top vent? Doug
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Feb 10, 2015
    I know the sun beating on the fridge side of our coach interferes with its cooling. It's never cut off, though. I added a couple little computer fans to help the air flow over the coils and that's been enough to get satisfactory temps.
    I don't believe our 12-year-old Norcold N811 has a thermal cutoff to shut down if the coils overheat. But I wonder if yours does. Maybe the additional heat load from the sun is enough to trip it if the coil temp was already toward max.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Feb 10, 2015
    That's what I have ,....a 12 yr old Norcold.
    I am in pc fan heaven here in QZS,...hunerds of them,....think I'll pick up some. I see 2" up to 6", from 2 to 6 bucks each. Seems a couple 3".....maybe 4" ought to work.
    Thanks.

    j-d wrote:
    I know the sun beating on the fridge side of our coach interferes with its cooling. It's never cut off, though. I added a couple little computer fans to help the air flow over the coils and that's been enough to get satisfactory temps.
    I don't believe our 12-year-old Norcold N811 has a thermal cutoff to shut down if the coils overheat. But I wonder if yours does. Maybe the additional heat load from the sun is enough to trip it if the coil temp was already toward max.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Feb 10, 2015
    j-d wrote:
    I know the sun beating on the fridge side of our coach interferes with its cooling. It's never cut off, though. I added a couple little computer fans to help the air flow over the coils and that's been enough to get satisfactory temps.
    I don't believe our 12-year-old Norcold N811 has a thermal cutoff to shut down if the coils overheat. But I wonder if yours does. Maybe the additional heat load from the sun is enough to trip it if the coil temp was already toward max.


    The Thermal cutoff is NOT if the coils overheat. It is for the FLUE column. If IT overheats, the Thermal switch trips. So, as I stated, the sun is a minor heat source compared to the LP flame on the burner flue. The Normal operating temp of the flue column is about 350 degrees, so I doubt a 100 degree in the sun day would have any affect on it. Doug
  • newman_fulltime's avatar
    newman_fulltime
    Explorer II
    Feb 10, 2015
    If in a hot climant running the ac its pulling alot of amprage your converter or basttery is not keeping up for the smount needed. Once the temp cools of the demand goes down voltage goes up and fridge comes on.
    Check wiring connectoins for corrosion and tightness battery for proper voltage

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