Norcold N641 stops working during heavy rain storms
I have a Norcold N641 that was installed new in a mortorhome approx. 12 - 13 years ago. It's worked perfectly until about 2 or 3 years ago started to stop working, (one or two times a year), during or after heavy rains storms, which aren't that frequent in our area. After it sits for a while usually from a half to full day it starts to work again.
Several days ago there was another heavy rain storm and the N641 stopped working as before.
I checked that the PCB is ok (no corrosion, plug-ins,etc.) and that it has both AC and DC. Unplugged the AC let it sit for a half day plugged it back in and still wouldn't turn on.
After another 5+ days still wouldn't turn on so I went online and ordered an electric compressor 10 cu foot Magic Chef with dimension to fit into the rv frigs cutout.
After purchasing the Magic Chef I later learned for what ever reason the designer placed the coils somewhere on the sides of the frig (instead of the back) and the frig requires at least 5 inches of space on both sides, a min. of 34 inches in width. Further reading of it's installation manual shows that it's not designed to be installed in an enclosure and only as a free standing frig.
So I'm going to cancel the order or return it for a refund. As there was no mention of the space requirements and the coils being on the sides instead of the rear.
Why they would design any frig with coils on the sides and a min 5 in. space requirement on both side is beyond me. Most frigs have their coils attached to the back side and often slid into compact spaces without any side clearance.
Back to the Norcold. Tonight the frig light came on so I held the on button and the N641 turns on and is working again. it's not the AC or DC but some circuit that controls both the cooling unit and the frig light.
It's still raining but not as severe as a few days ago.
I'm still thinking of replacing the N641 with an electric 10 cu. fit (with coils on the back side) as the cut out has plenty of ventilation on the back of the cut-our for the absorption frig. and stays in one spot (doesn't travel often) mainly stays connected to pud, water and sewer in a RV park.
I'm thinking of restoring the N641 but wondering why severe rain storms would cause it to stop working? Perhaps the PCB? It's the original one that came with the frig.
Several days ago there was another heavy rain storm and the N641 stopped working as before.
I checked that the PCB is ok (no corrosion, plug-ins,etc.) and that it has both AC and DC. Unplugged the AC let it sit for a half day plugged it back in and still wouldn't turn on.
After another 5+ days still wouldn't turn on so I went online and ordered an electric compressor 10 cu foot Magic Chef with dimension to fit into the rv frigs cutout.
After purchasing the Magic Chef I later learned for what ever reason the designer placed the coils somewhere on the sides of the frig (instead of the back) and the frig requires at least 5 inches of space on both sides, a min. of 34 inches in width. Further reading of it's installation manual shows that it's not designed to be installed in an enclosure and only as a free standing frig.
So I'm going to cancel the order or return it for a refund. As there was no mention of the space requirements and the coils being on the sides instead of the rear.
Why they would design any frig with coils on the sides and a min 5 in. space requirement on both side is beyond me. Most frigs have their coils attached to the back side and often slid into compact spaces without any side clearance.
Back to the Norcold. Tonight the frig light came on so I held the on button and the N641 turns on and is working again. it's not the AC or DC but some circuit that controls both the cooling unit and the frig light.
It's still raining but not as severe as a few days ago.
I'm still thinking of replacing the N641 with an electric 10 cu. fit (with coils on the back side) as the cut out has plenty of ventilation on the back of the cut-our for the absorption frig. and stays in one spot (doesn't travel often) mainly stays connected to pud, water and sewer in a RV park.
I'm thinking of restoring the N641 but wondering why severe rain storms would cause it to stop working? Perhaps the PCB? It's the original one that came with the frig.
