Norcold refrigerator

dougrainer wrote:
I assume you have the 1200 series. That is no secret. It is the diagnostics mode. The sensor is ONLY for the lower section and gives the Evaporator fin temp, NOT the refer temp. The evap fin temp will be 10 degrees colder than the refer temp. There is NO sensor for the freezer. Doug

Yep. I just used it as a reference. If it hits 17* or below, it seems to be working properly. I was trying to use 'air quotes' around the word 'secret' :)

Thanks to all that responded to my inquiry, Everything is working ok, I was just not patient enough.

Wishbone51 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Might be just a difference in 'wording'

Doug-----"24 hours to reach operating temp" (Freezer 0*F/Food Section 38*F)
Soundguy----"have it sufficiently cool within 4 hours" (Freezer cold/Food Section cool)

I don't buy the fridge at full operating temps within 4-6 hrs. but can feel cooling difference in freezer/food section within that time

Until recently, I had been going off the sensor temp that Norcolds will give when you're in the 'secret menu' .. Sometimes it will show 17* in 4 hours or 17* in 16 hours, not even in hotter weather sometimes.

I recently installed thermometers and found out that when the sensor is at 17*, the freezer is sufficiently cold, but the fridge is not... Conversely, after driving for two hours, the sensor might say 31* while the food is only a degree or two warmer. Now I just ignore my sensors, don't worry about them and enjoy camping.

I still fuss over my black tank sensors though :) Someday I'll learn to ignore those too.

I assume you have the 1200 series. That is no secret. It is the diagnostics mode. The sensor is ONLY for the lower section and gives the Evaporator fin temp, NOT the refer temp. The evap fin temp will be 10 degrees colder than the refer temp. There is NO sensor for the freezer. Doug

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Might be just a difference in 'wording'

Doug-----"24 hours to reach operating temp" (Freezer 0*F/Food Section 38*F)
Soundguy----"have it sufficiently cool within 4 hours" (Freezer cold/Food Section cool)

I don't buy the fridge at full operating temps within 4-6 hrs. but can feel cooling difference in freezer/food section within that time

Until recently, I had been going off the sensor temp that Norcolds will give when you're in the 'secret menu' .. Sometimes it will show 17* in 4 hours or 17* in 16 hours, not even in hotter weather sometimes.

I recently installed thermometers and found out that when the sensor is at 17*, the freezer is sufficiently cold, but the fridge is not... Conversely, after driving for two hours, the sensor might say 31* while the food is only a degree or two warmer. Now I just ignore my sensors, don't worry about them and enjoy camping.

I still fuss over my black tank sensors though :) Someday I'll learn to ignore those too.

dougrainer wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
RV Absorbsion refers take a minimum of 24 hours to reach operating temp.

With a small 1.7 cu ft manual light gas absorption fridge, maybe ... but I'd have to disagree when it comes to a ~ 6 cu ft fridge / freezer typical of those found in most TTs, 5ths, etc. We may not see quite the extreme summer temps here in Ontario that you see in Texas but high 80s, low 90s aren't that uncommon yet I can easily turn on my fridge and have it sufficiently cool within 4 hours ... anything longer than that and I'd be looking for a problem with the fridge. I've owned both Norcold and Dometic and can't say one works any better, or cools any quicker, than the other ... 4 hrs and I'm good to go. :B

Yea, what do I know. Just 36 years as a Professional RV Tech. You call Dometic or Norcold and state your refer does not seem to be cooling and they will state----CHECK AFTER 24 HOURS, then see. I make good money off people that bring the RV in and complain about cooling problems. $130 later I call them and ask what the problem is after I can find nothing wrong on both 120 and LP. They tell me they checked after running 6 hours and such and they figured there was a problem. IF they call me first, I tell them 24 hours, and most of the time they find out they do NOT have a problem. Doug

Might be just a difference in 'wording'

Doug-----"24 hours to reach operating temp" (Freezer 0*F/Food Section 38*F)
Soundguy----"have it sufficiently cool within 4 hours" (Freezer cold/Food Section cool)

I don't buy the fridge at full operating temps within 4-6 hrs. but can feel cooling difference in freezer/food section within that time

SoundGuy wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
RV Absorbsion refers take a minimum of 24 hours to reach operating temp.

With a small 1.7 cu ft manual light gas absorption fridge, maybe ... but I'd have to disagree when it comes to a ~ 6 cu ft fridge / freezer typical of those found in most TTs, 5ths, etc. We may not see quite the extreme summer temps here in Ontario that you see in Texas but high 80s, low 90s aren't that uncommon yet I can easily turn on my fridge and have it sufficiently cool within 4 hours ... anything longer than that and I'd be looking for a problem with the fridge. I've owned both Norcold and Dometic and can't say one works any better, or cools any quicker, than the other ... 4 hrs and I'm good to go. :B

Yea, what do I know. Just 36 years as a Professional RV Tech. You call Dometic or Norcold and state your refer does not seem to be cooling and they will state----CHECK AFTER 24 HOURS, then see. I make good money off people that bring the RV in and complain about cooling problems. $130 later I call them and ask what the problem is after I can find nothing wrong on both 120 and LP. They tell me they checked after running 6 hours and such and they figured there was a problem. IF they call me first, I tell them 24 hours, and most of the time they find out they do NOT have a problem. Doug

dougrainer wrote:
RV Absorbsion refers take a minimum of 24 hours to reach operating temp.

With a small 1.7 cu ft manual light gas absorption fridge, maybe ... but I'd have to disagree when it comes to a ~ 6 cu ft fridge / freezer typical of those found in most TTs, 5ths, etc. We may not see quite the extreme summer temps here in Ontario that you see in Texas but high 80s, low 90s aren't that uncommon yet I can easily turn on my fridge and have it sufficiently cool within 4 hours ... anything longer than that and I'd be looking for a problem with the fridge. I've owned both Norcold and Dometic and can't say one works any better, or cools any quicker, than the other ... 4 hrs and I'm good to go. :B

At home I used to load the reefer with six or eight bags of blue ice. Left them for three hours, then snagged them. Really sped up the cool down. The ONLY way I have ever found gas absorbsion to be effective is when the chiller is conformed to a chest design. Not exactly practical in an RV.

Often mine will get all the way cold in just a few hours. Sometimes it doesn't and freaks me out. 24 hours will always do it. Flip it on the day before.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Most folks I know start up their gas refrigerator the night before. I start up my Vest Frost 2 hours before I load it.

I am plugged in to electric, but I am not leaving until the 20th, just getting ready. I have no experience with Norcold, but the Dometics I have had in the past units were quicker on cooldown.