A couple yrs ago, I installed 2-4" computer fans, with a snap switch that comes on at 85* and then turns off when the temp falls below the 85* mark, in the back of the reefer to blow air up thru the heating coil section towards the roof vent, to help reduce the heat in this area, and make the reefer operate with less strain etc.Everything worked perfectly when I used last yr, temps running 95-100+, for a couple of days.This yr for the last week or so, the temps have been 90*+ to 105*, so far, direct sun contact on the side that contains the reefer.I connected the manual stitch and the fans were doing as they supposed to. The better half makes the remark that the reef inside temp is/was getting warm??I check it out and sure enough the reefer section is warm and the top freezer section is starting to thaw out. ??I am thinking that the reefer blew up or is having a major melt down etc.I disconnect the fans, while checking everything and going over every thing possible.All systems are a go, Houston......The total time spent checking and reading the OEM manual etc, was about 2 hrs, the wife walks by and states, the reefer is getting cold again, HUH???What happened?? Did the 2 fans cause this problem, as it appears so?TOO much air flow up thru the coil?Any suggestions and or Ideas?Tia,Don

I run a small 120 volt fan all the time blowing up from the bottom of the coils all the time during spring, summer and early fall. It has real hot for the 2 Norcold fans to come on. If your fridge is a No Cold 1200 series, it may just have been going thru the defrost cycle. Our does this about ever 48 hours.

Doubt that the fans caused the problem.Is the refer in a slide? Could be ventilation problem. Check distance between the lower vent door and the exterior wall. It should be less then an inch. I used foam board to close it up to force more air through the coils.

Had a similar problem, cold then not cold, I shut things down, powerd up again , all has been OK for 2 years, spoke to a few techs, the main circuit boards can be glitchy. I don't think the fans caused it....

Possible the refrigerator simply froze up or iced up, like an air conditioner can do. When that happens air cannot circulate outside the refrigerator causing no air flow, like iced over. While you waited the outside thawed enough to start working again.

Some friges have defrost after it has been on for a certain amount of time.

What went wrong??????? | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

gotsmart
Explorer
Jul 06, 2015
I can't kill the Norcold fridge in my former Rent-A-Wreck, and the fridge is broadside to the sun (facing SSW). I offset the the affects of the sun by setting the temperature 1 setting colder. I think my fridge might be bipolar though (arctic/antarctic pun intended). It has 2 stickers inside the door with the same serial number but different model numbers:

Model Number: N621

Model Number: N623RT

The fridge just plain works. That's all that I care about.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
RJsfishin wrote:
My Norcold always has a nervous breakdown whenever severe hot sun gets directly on the exterior fridge door. It has done it since new. I have tried fans just for the challenge in it, but to no avail. I don't even care any more, it doesn't happen that often, and fires right back up.
I've read there in no fix, and that many other Norcolds do it too.
If this sounds like your problem, live w/ it.

X2 RJ. I had to construct a shade tarp to keep my Norwarm from ruining my food.n
nvreloader
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
Thanks Guys,

This is a Norcold 821 model,
and to my knowledge it does not have a defrost mode.

It is not in a slide out, and never had any vent problems.
When doing the checking of the unit, after the discovering,
there was NO ice build up any where, inside or outside I could see.

When the heat returns next week,
I'll the fan operation again and recycle it while the fans are running to see what happens next.

Tia,
Don
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
My previous camper, the fridge did not like to cool in cooler weather. I figure it was a problem with the fridge.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
My Norcold always has a nervous breakdown whenever severe hot sun gets directly on the exterior fridge door. It has done it since new. I have tried fans just for the challenge in it, but to no avail. I don't even care any more, it doesn't happen that often, and fires right back up.
I've read there in no fix, and that many other Norcolds do it too.
If this sounds like your problem, live w/ it.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Jul 05, 2015
Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.
Toddupton
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
Some friges have defrost after it has been on for a certain amount of time.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
Possible the refrigerator simply froze up or iced up, like an air conditioner can do. When that happens air cannot circulate outside the refrigerator causing no air flow, like iced over. While you waited the outside thawed enough to start working again.
GENECOP
Explorer II
Jul 05, 2015
Had a similar problem, cold then not cold, I shut things down, powerd up again , all has been OK for 2 years, spoke to a few techs, the main circuit boards can be glitchy. I don't think the fans caused it....
enblethen
Nomad
Jul 05, 2015
Doubt that the fans caused the problem.
Is the refer in a slide? Could be ventilation problem. Check distance between the lower vent door and the exterior wall. It should be less then an inch. I used foam board to close it up to force more air through the coils.

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What went wrong???????

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