norcold fridge

[barney_bugle]

Hi all
Trying to figure out what's wrong with my fridge ?
The freezer is cold 8 degrees f and the fridge is 54 .
Nice blue flame on propane& is also running on ac when I switch it over.
No water appears in the drip tray.realy appreciate your help .

[barney_bugle]

Any idea on wether I should go with the same model,or go for a different type? . Measurements permitting

[barney_bugle]

Thanks ob I'm checking prices on a new fridge now.

[Old-Biscuit]

barney bugle wrote:
Also the norcold guy said no fans on this model as it is an absorbent type , not sure what he means?

Absorbent......
RV fridges are absorption fridges. No compressor. Cooling fluid (ammonia, hydrogen, sodium chromate) is heated and turns into a vapor the vapor absorbs heat from freezer/food sections, condenses back into a liquid as it flows by gravity down thru cooling unit where it is heated again and repeats process.

The 1200 Norcolds have fans in outside compartment (top) to help pull air thru/across cooling unit.....especially when installed in a slide.
Fans are just a means of increasing/insuring enough air circulation for proper heat transfer.

Your model (and many others) use natural draft (like a fireplace chimney) for air circulation from bottom vent up/thru top vent.

Unplugging the thermistor (temp control) causing fridge to go into continuous cooling mode.
With thermistor unplugged and food section is still warm......blockage in cooling unit :E

[barney_bugle]

Also the norcold guy said no fans on this model as it is an absorbent type , not sure what he means?

[barney_bugle]

Hi yc
The thermozistor is on the fins at the back of the inside of fridge .
Have put water in the drain trough directly under the fins and it is draining into a
Reservoir at the back of fridge through a tube

[YC_1]

barney bugle wrote:
Thanks for the responses guys
It is a norcold model n814r serial 1101287 it is a 2003 model and I have operated it leval for the 4yrs I have owned it. It apparently has no fans and is an absorbent type ?
A norcold guy told me to bypass the thermozistor and see if that works . I am trying that now , but it does't appear to be dropping below 52 for one hr now.

What thermistor are you going to bypass? Just might be the fan control. I just helped a friend sort his problems out and due to the intermittent nature it took a bit of effort and patience.

Did you put some water in the vent tube drain to cover the end of the tube? This is just a simple test.

[laknox]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

laknox wrote:

barney bugle wrote:
Thanks for the responses guys
It is a norcold model n814r serial 1101287 it is a 2003 model and I have operated it leval for the 4yrs I have owned it. It apparently has no fans and is an absorbent type ?
A norcold guy told me to bypass the thermozistor and see if that works . I am trying that now , but it does't appear to be dropping below 52 for one hr now.

I've read on here about a "last ditch" solution, prior to replacing anything more than a board. Pull the fridge, turn it upside down for 24 hours, reinstall, then try it again. This supposedly "burps" the ammonia in the system. Dunno; never tried it, though I thought I was going to have to.

Lyle

Strictly a 'bandaid fix' (if that).........the idea behind it is by turning it upside down/rolling it around will dislodge the blockage and allow the cooling fluid to flow again. Might work for a while but the 'stuff' causing the blockage is still there and will in time block the flow again. Sorta like plague, it doesn't dissolve, go away and will plate out again.

Understood, which is why I clearly called it "last ditch".

Lyle

[barney_bugle]

I'm not much of a juggler lol
I've been making inquires for parts ,cw $1500 for new cooling unit.$1200 and change for a new fridge???

[Old-Biscuit]

laknox wrote:

barney bugle wrote:
Thanks for the responses guys
It is a norcold model n814r serial 1101287 it is a 2003 model and I have operated it leval for the 4yrs I have owned it. It apparently has no fans and is an absorbent type ?
A norcold guy told me to bypass the thermozistor and see if that works . I am trying that now , but it does't appear to be dropping below 52 for one hr now.

I've read on here about a "last ditch" solution, prior to replacing anything more than a board. Pull the fridge, turn it upside down for 24 hours, reinstall, then try it again. This supposedly "burps" the ammonia in the system. Dunno; never tried it, though I thought I was going to have to.

Lyle

Strictly a 'bandaid fix' (if that).........the idea behind it is by turning it upside down/rolling it around will dislodge the blockage and allow the cooling fluid to flow again. Might work for a while but the 'stuff' causing the blockage is still there and will in time block the flow again. Sorta like plague, it doesn't dissolve, go away and will plate out again.

[laknox]

barney bugle wrote:
Thanks for the responses guys
It is a norcold model n814r serial 1101287 it is a 2003 model and I have operated it leval for the 4yrs I have owned it. It apparently has no fans and is an absorbent type ?
A norcold guy told me to bypass the thermozistor and see if that works . I am trying that now , but it does't appear to be dropping below 52 for one hr now.

I've read on here about a "last ditch" solution, prior to replacing anything more than a board. Pull the fridge, turn it upside down for 24 hours, reinstall, then try it again. This supposedly "burps" the ammonia in the system. Dunno; never tried it, though I thought I was going to have to.

Lyle

[barney_bugle]

Thanks for the responses guys
It is a norcold model n814r serial 1101287 it is a 2003 model and I have operated it leval for the 4yrs I have owned it. It apparently has no fans and is an absorbent type ?
A norcold guy told me to bypass the thermozistor and see if that works . I am trying that now , but it does't appear to be dropping below 52 for one hr now.

[YC_1]

1. Are your fans running????

2. Is the drain hose intact? No cracks etc. Put some water in the drip tray to cover the end of the hose as a test.

3. Does the temp stay the same day and night? Or does it cool lower after the sun goes down?
4. IF, it is hot outside and the fans are not running, tap on the control board housing with the handle of a screwdriver. If the fans kick on then the board needs to be replaced.
5. Post the exact model and serial number if possible.

[Randyl81]

I have my fridge on a slide out and had the same problem, took it several places and no one could figure what was wrong, finally one did, the door was not closing as it should to have a good seal (they adjusted the seal) also added two fans in the back, has operated perfect every since. Hope this helps you.

[Old-Biscuit]

Don't know what age fridge is or how you have operated it in past BUT

Sounds like cooling unit is toast........blockage (partial) not allowing proper cooling fluid flow thru lower section so freezer works but food section doesn't.
The above info is something I learned from Doug Grainer an RV Tech on this forum

Think you will be needing a cooling unit replacement or a new fridge very soon