Norcold N611 Defrost mode issue

past-MIdirector wrote:
If you have frozen food or even ice packs in the freezer it should not get that warm. My fridge get to 40 but freeze stays well below freezing. The only think effected is the ice maker for a couple of hours,

Definitely agree. The freezer should not be affected by the defrost mode. What really upsets me is that Norcold has been no help up to this point to the dealer. My freezer cannot be the only one which is having or has had this problem. The dealer said they need to get the refrigerator into defrost mode and do so tests, so they can call Norcold back.

KJINTF wrote:
rossi6998

I was not aware the Norcold had a defrost cycle. I have the 2009 Itasca Sunstar 26P on the Workhorse chassis w/8.1L engine. It also has the Norcold 611 which has never gone into a defrost cycle maybe Norcold made some changes over the years. Since it's in the slider I installed the ARP unit and a small blower fan powered from the 12Volt gas solenoid. We never use electric operation. Might be something for you to think about it gets darn hot inside that closed rear frig area and the stock top side thermostat controlled 4" muffin fan is almost useless.

How do you like you rig?
I see they made several changes over the years, guess to save weight they eliminated the bedroom slide. The lack of kitchen counter space was easily overcome with a flip up table top on the stair side and a cover for the stove. Be careful with the stove top washers that hold the grill in place they self destruct. Four small flat washers fixed that up.

Hello,

I love the rig. We upgraded from an Itasca Cambria. This was roughly the same length as our new rig, but it was a Class C instead of a Class A. We definitely like the Class A layout much better. There seems to be a lot more room.

I am looking into a flip-up counter top. The Cambria had one and it was very useful. Already have the cover for the stovetop and the covers for the sink.

Doug,

The temperature is being taken by thermometer. I am using the same thermometer that is registering -10 degrees when the freezer is working. The door seals are good. I know others have suggested to turn the refrigerator off a few seconds then back on to reset the 49 hour clock for the defrost cycle. I really don't want to do this because there obviously is some type of problem with my refrigerator. I want to have it repaired while it is still under warranty.

It's at the dealership now, but they have already contacted Norcold and they were of no help as of right now. The dealership needs the refrigerator to go into defrost mode so they can do "some tests."

The "defrost" mode in certain Norcolds is NOT really a real defrost. It is just shutting down the refer for 2 hours every 48 to 54 hours IF RUN CONTINUOUSLY. What this does is stop the cooling process for less than 2 hours and allows the evaporator to defrost any ice and drain. This will NOT affect the freezer as it is a separate box from the lower refer. As long as you do not open the doors too much when this defrost is happening, the refer should not warm up that much. There is NO WAY shutting down the refer for 2 hours would allow a -10 freezer to warm up 40 degrees in 2 hours unless your freezer door is not sealed, but if that were true, it would not get to -10 degrees. HOW are you taking this temp measurement? Doug

Since a put a fan in Frig, my defrost cycle seems much shorter, this may help you.

rossi6998

I was not aware the Norcold had a defrost cycle. I have the 2009 Itasca Sunstar 26P on the Workhorse chassis w/8.1L engine. It also has the Norcold 611 which has never gone into a defrost cycle maybe Norcold made some changes over the years. Since it's in the slider I installed the ARP unit and a small blower fan powered from the 12Volt gas solenoid. We never use electric operation. Might be something for you to think about it gets darn hot inside that closed rear frig area and the stock top side thermostat controlled 4" muffin fan is almost useless.

How do you like you rig?
I see they made several changes over the years, guess to save weight they eliminated the bedroom slide. The lack of kitchen counter space was easily overcome with a flip up table top on the stair side and a cover for the stove. Be careful with the stove top washers that hold the grill in place they self destruct. Four small flat washers fixed that up.

If you have frozen food or even ice packs in the freezer it should not get that warm. My fridge get to 40 but freeze stays well below freezing. The only think effected is the ice maker for a couple of hours,

Back in the very old days when I served on Coast Guard ships, the Chronometer was wound every day at noon.

So now, every day at noon I turn our Norcold off for 15 seconds and back on. Resets the defrost time cycle. Yep, never defrosts. I can go a month that way and by then we're usually home. If not, I've started carrying a little gardening tank sprayer that's dedicated to Water Only use. I spray the fins with that fine spray and make sure the drain is flowing outside.