Forum Discussion

kmb1966's avatar
kmb1966
Explorer
Feb 05, 2020

Norcold 1200 operates without ground connected

I have been working on my Norcold 1200 again and have noticed that the unit will power up and operate when only connecting the 12 volt (+) supply to the rear control board connector labeled "12V". The connector labeled GND can be disconnected totally. Obviously there refrigerator is somehow already grounded somewhere, but I am wondering if this is a problem or is normal??
  • DFord's avatar
    DFord
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2020
    Those fuses carry 120v to the heating elements. If the heating elements short out, the fuse should blow. There's one for each element in the 1200 model.
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Feb 06, 2020
    Those fuses failing is fairly common, the holder gets loose and/or corroded, and the ~300-450 watts continuos heats them up.
    Checking fit and a bit of dielectric grease eliminates the problem.
    The real tricky problem with the glass fuses is if they heat up the element can come unsoldered from the end cap- fuse looks good visually but doesn’t conduct.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Feb 06, 2020
    kmb1966 wrote:
    I have been working on my Norcold 1200 again and have noticed that the unit will power up and operate when only connecting the 12 volt (+) supply to the rear control board connector labeled "12V". The connector labeled GND can be disconnected totally. Obviously there refrigerator is somehow already grounded somewhere, but I am wondering if this is a problem or is normal??


    I think you all missed the question "Is this a problem or is it normal?".
    No it is not normal which you can gather from all the responses trying to help you figure out how it's possible. But is it a problem? Probably not but I guess that's where you have to define your meaning of the word problem. Should the actual ground be fixed or attached? Absolutely.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    Feb 06, 2020
    opnspaces wrote:
    kmb1966 wrote:
    I have been working on my Norcold 1200 again and have noticed that the unit will power up and operate when only connecting the 12 volt (+) supply to the rear control board connector labeled "12V". The connector labeled GND can be disconnected totally. Obviously there refrigerator is somehow already grounded somewhere, but I am wondering if this is a problem or is normal??


    I think you all missed the question "Is this a problem or is it normal?".
    No it is not normal which you can gather from all the responses trying to help you figure out how it's possible. But is it a problem? Probably not but I guess that's where you have to define your meaning of the word problem. Should the actual ground be fixed or attached? Absolutely.

    Sounds to me like it is normal to have grounded copper piping. The OP has the ground wire disconnected and intends to put it back so also no problem that I can see.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Feb 06, 2020
    It is normal to have metal pipe grounded to stop any potential (or at least reduce the chance) arcing.
    It could be a higher resistance then a good solid ground connection via a copper wire.
  • kmb1966's avatar
    kmb1966
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2020
    enblethen wrote:
    It is normal to have metal pipe grounded to stop any potential (or at least reduce the chance) arcing.
    It could be a higher resistance then a good solid ground connection via a copper wire.

    yes. I have it re-connected to the ground wire.
    I was re-connecting everything when I noticed that if I connected the 12V before the ground wire, the propane igniter engaged and the burner lit. I now have the GND connector on the ground copper wire again.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,191 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 19, 2025