Forum Discussion

AlexESL's avatar
AlexESL
Explorer
Jun 13, 2015

Help! - Installing a Condensor Fan for Norcold Refrigerator

My question is, How do I hook up a 12v DC computer fan(s) to this dc power box to cool my fridges condenser coil? please see below for pictures and details. My trailer is 30amp if that matters.

I live in South Texas...so anyone that lives down here knows how hot it gets in the summer. In the winter my fridge works just fine, I have one of those little battery powered fans that circulates the air inside the fridge.

But the condenser is another issue. I have no condenser fan, and when it gets hot (80-90F) it is 70 degrees F, in my fridge......

If you will look at the photos below, you can see what I have available to work with, I am planning to use a computer fan or two (12VDC) to hook up to these connections.

#8 has 15 AMP, 12V power going to it. (I assumed 15 amp, my meter read 14.32amps when I tested). Also with 12v, it read (10.XX volts) I am also assuming DC
When testing #8 I used wet tarmac as a ground, (the frame of my trailer wouldn't work for some reason) Maybe not the smartest idea...I could not test the AMPs without touching 7 and 8 together, meter wouldn't show anything when touching #8 and ground. Normal?

I tested both using the DC (amp and voltage) settings on my meter, I assumed it was DC, I never checked for AC...

#7 apparently has no power whatsoever going to it. (shows negative volts when touching ground)





The top vent is where the condenser sits. The bottom vent is where the power "box"? is located

Hope you can help, I don't have a refrigerator right now!

Any other solutions/recommendations would be welcome.

4 Replies

  • Joe417's avatar
    Joe417
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2015
    From the picture of the terminal board and the schematic, the two empty slide-on terminals should be 12v. That's terminals 7 and 8. Check them with a volt meter to verify.

    Terminals 1, 2, 5, and 6 are 120v ac per the schematic, so to be safe, remove AC power while you have your finger in there.

    Your frig isn't on a slide but it exhausts through the side. Norcold instructs manufactures to use a frig with a fan when this is done. The manufacturer saved some money.

    You can also fish some wire from inside the camper if necessary. My frig came with a fan but I added a second fan and a switch inside the camper to help exhaust the heat. Helps on those extra hot days.

    You need to reduce the size of your pictures when you post. 800x600 will keep all the margins so no one has to move the screen to view.

    Look in the photo instruction for the photobucket widget and put it on you desktop. When you need to post a picture all you do is pull up the widget, drop your photo into the re-sizer, copy the address info returned, and past it into your message. Makes everything much easier to read.
  • AlexESL's avatar
    AlexESL
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2015
    Dakota98 wrote:
    I see a diagram directly behind the connections in the pic. Does that not tell you where the 12 volt Positive & Negative is ?

    Also, make sure your + is fused to the fans.

    Are you going to use a thermostat for the fans ?


    Here is the wiring diagram, I found it

    Wiring Diagram
  • AlexESL's avatar
    AlexESL
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2015
    Dakota98 wrote:
    I see a diagram directly behind the connections in the pic. Does that not tell you where the 12 volt Positive & Negative is ?

    Also, make sure your + is fused to the fans.

    Are you going to use a thermostat for the fans ?


    I wasnt planning on using a thermostat, it's usually hot here in South Texas. (I'm always hooked up, im full timing so..)

    It doesn't say anything except 12v. It has a picture of a battery and an electrical plug, it's not really a diagrahm. My main concern is that 15 amps seems like a lot for a 12v fan...will it just pass through? won't 15 amps be too much for such a small gauge wire? I don't want to cause a fire.

    I don't understand exactly what "also make sure your + is fused to the fans" means.
  • Dakota98's avatar
    Dakota98
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2015
    I see a diagram directly behind the connections in the pic. Does that not tell you where the 12 volt Positive & Negative is ?

    Also, make sure your + is fused to the fans.

    Are you going to use a thermostat for the fans ?

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,361 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 18, 2026