Norcold Fridge acting up.

[Winged_One]

I have a Norcold 12 cu ft Fridge (no icemaker). Probably a 2010 model year.

Started it Saturday on gas. Ran fine Saturday-Tuesday on electric. Temp set at 6. Temperatures in the fridge ranged from 32 to 38 degrees.

Wednesday the temp started rising and held at 42-44 degrees during the day. Weather was right around 80. Fridge is in slide out with topper and was mostly shaded by trees. Humidity was a bit higher, but nothing bad.

Raised the temp setting to 7 (to reduce temp). No effect.

Opened the lower outdoor access door and noted that it appeared the electric was working. Switched to gas anyway. No appreciable drop (1 degree) in 30 minutes. Gas appears to be working as specified.

There are two good size fans (original from manufacturer) at the top outdoor access door and they were working (could verify air being pulled up from the bottom access door).

Pulled out the trusty infrared thermometer and started taking readings inside the fridge. Contents were all reading in the low 40's. However the fins at the back of the fridge were reading 29-31 degrees. The fins were wet, but not frosted or frozen.

We know to keep open spaces on each level to allow air flow. We also use 3 Camco fridge fans to move air.

I checked all around the fridge and noted no leaks to the inside of the trailer. Sealed tight.

Finally, after 7pm the temp dropped back down into the 30's and low 30's over night.

So, what happened?

Why would the Fridge be in the 40's when the fins are in the 20's-30's?

Is it normal for the fins to be that cold, but the fridge to be in the 40's?

Dang, I just thought I should have checked the temp of the fins when the fridge got back down in the 30's. Doh!

Are using 3 fans inside the fridge creating too much heat?

Edit - Oh the freezers were fine, both sides were 0 degrees.

[Chris_Bryant]

Winged One wrote:

Chris Bryant wrote:
If the fins stayed the same temperature but the box warmed up, the door did not seal correctly- any one of the four doors.

I was thinking that too but, I checked all around the fridge and noted no leaks to the inside of the trailer. Sealed tight. I used the infrared thermometer around all the edges. It showed 70 degrees or so all the way around (it was about 70 degrees in the trailer).

It should actually be hotter in the center (between the doors from the outside), as the flap heater is on. That said- that's not something I have ever measured.

[dougrainer]

Your refer is in a slide room. The rear cooling fans are CRITICAL for adequate cooling when a 1200 is in a slide room. Upper baffling where the convection air comes out is critical in a slide room refer. I would bypass the fan tstat and run the fans 24/7 and see if your problem continues. Doug

[Winged_One]

Chris Bryant wrote:
If the fins stayed the same temperature but the box warmed up, the door did not seal correctly- any one of the four doors.

I was thinking that too but, I checked all around the fridge and noted no leaks to the inside of the trailer. Sealed tight. I used the infrared thermometer around all the edges. It showed 70 degrees or so all the way around (it was about 70 degrees in the trailer).

[Chris_Bryant]

If the fins stayed the same temperature but the box warmed up, the door did not seal correctly- any one of the four doors.

[Winged_One]

Norcold's response:

If you are not getting good temperatures in the fridge I would recommend turning it to a colder setting. We don't recommend adding any fans to the refrigerator because it can hurt more than it can help if they directing the air flow in the wrong place. If you are getting cooler temperatures in the fridge at night or when the outside temperature cools down it would normally be a ventilation issue or an issue with the cabinet of the fridge. I would recommend going through an authorized service center to diagnose the issue.

I guess I am not surprised about their rejecting the use of fans inside the fridge. If they were to admit they would help, then they would be open to: "then why don't you put fans in them".

My response:

Thank you for your response.

In my original email I noted that raising the temp setting did not lower the inside temp. As you say, it may be the interior fans, exterior temp/sun, or the cabinet.

I ran the fridge again at home. It cooled down to mid 30's again overnight. I checked the fins, they were the same temp as when the fridge was at 44 degrees. So I would guess it was in the fridge unless somehow the walls of the fridge overheated.

If you have any further idea's based on this information, I appreciate any response.

Thanks again,


Looks like I am on my own. No use taking it in for service if it works fine now.

[Winged_One]

I ran the fridge yesterday and checked it this morning. 35 degrees set at 6. Opened and checked the fin temps. High 20's to low 30's, just like the other day when the fridge was at 44 degrees.

Only difference is no food in it now and the fins on the right side are frosted, they were not frosted the day it spiked. Norcold's site says that is normal for the fins to frost on the right side.

No warm food was added to cause the temp spike.

I am baffled.

I sent my issue to Norcold, see if they have any ideas.

[RJsfishin]

quote:
Pulled out the trusty infrared thermometer and started taking readings inside the fridge.
---------------------------------------------------------------
If a thermometer had not entered into the picture, would there have been any known noticeable problem ?
I don't use a hydrometer either, and I don't have any battery trouble either.
Not that I never have a problem, but I don't look for problems that are likely not there.

[dougrainer]

RonWSl wrote:
Could it have been the auto defrost cycle?

That only lasts 2 hours and he seemed to indicate it went up after more than that. The Auto defrost cycle is every 48 to 54 hours and just shuts the refer OFF for that 2 hours. Not long enough to cause a drastic rise in temp unless you open the door a lot. If you are concerned about the Auto defrost cycle causing problems, all you have to do is once a day, turn the refer off for 5 seconds and then turn it back on. Every time you turn it off and on the 48/54 time restarts.

[USMC1968]

Ford's RV... Benton, KY fixed ours...

[RonWSl]

Could it have been the auto defrost cycle?

[dougrainer]

newman fulltimer wrote:
Good chance the interior light was stuck on

If so, the refer will beep like crazy. Doug

[Old-Biscuit]

Fin temps run 10*F lower than food compartment temp....that is how it works.

Higher humidity........less ability for ambient air to absorb heat.

[newman_fulltime]

Good chance the interior light was stuck on