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Fisherguy's avatar
Fisherguy
Explorer
Sep 12, 2013

Norcold fridge making weird noises, not be working

Our fridge has been working fine on this trip but today after coming down a rough road we noticed a strong ammonia smell in the trailer (while we were cleaning up the broken dishes and emptying the tanks). We got setup tonight and when I started the fridge on propane I could hear it making some weird noises like I've never heard before. Now after 5 hours the temps are 11* C in the fridge and 2 in the freezer. Normally it would be a lot colder than that by now.

I fired up the genny and am trying it on ac right now but I'm guessing the ammonia smell means I'm outa luck? (My wife just reminded me about the smell)

9 Replies

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  • Fisherguy's avatar
    Fisherguy
    Explorer
    Sep 24, 2013
    Found the leak, the 1 screw that holds the condenser in place came out so it was basically flopping all over the place on the bumpy road and the tube broke where the lines go into the freezer. Actually that joint must been under a little stress, it looks like the condenser woulda needed a ¼" spacer under it for it to line up with the pip that broke.




    New cooling unit, baffle, rear fans and evaporator fans on order.
  • Fisherguy's avatar
    Fisherguy
    Explorer
    Sep 18, 2013
    Found this Amish cooling unit, anyone dealt with this place?

    rvcoolingunit.com 811 cooling unit

    He sells a fan kit for $35 (2 computer fans and a temp switch), $20 for the fan mounting kit and also a baffle for $15, good idea while I'm at it?
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Sep 12, 2013
    Cooling units can crack as the cool down. Local rebuilder told me it's best to leave them on rather than turn it on and off everytime you go camping.
    At any rate you'll need a new unit.
  • APRSRVer's avatar
    APRSRVer
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2013
    Yes, they can be soldered and recharged. But, it has been my experience that if it leaked out once it probably will again from somewhere else. If your handy, I've had luck replacing the cooling unit with a rebuilt one. There are a couple of places on-line that you can get them. Return shipping is part of the exchange deal. In either case, it has to come out.
  • path1's avatar
    path1
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2013
    IN the mean time I would turn frig off at the normal place and then pull fuse if you can. And in back where frig outside cover is near the coils(not the roof vent)I would unplug the elec and turn shut off the gas valve to unit and use it as big ice chest and continue your travels. Just me, maybe others would do something completely different.
  • Fisherguy's avatar
    Fisherguy
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2013
    Not sure how to do that test, guess our trip will be ending a few days earlier than expected.
    Will look into this more when we get home.
    Thanks
  • path1's avatar
    path1
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2013
    It wasn't even running when it sprang the leak, could something have gotten pinched or something I wonder? Won't know till I take it out I guess...

    If I find the leak was because a line sprung a leak on the rough road, was pinched or something could that be repaired and the unit "recharged"?



    Get some litmus paper or sulphur sticks and test the coils? Better to check out and find out for sure before replacing. Those things are big bucks. You might not have to take out depending on what you find. Do you see any yellowish caked up mess on coils?
  • Fisherguy's avatar
    Fisherguy
    Explorer
    Sep 12, 2013
    Damn.
    It wasn't even running when it sprang the leak, could something have gotten pinched or something I wonder? Won't know till I take it out I guess...

    If I find the leak was because a line sprung a leak on the rough road, was pinched or something could that be repaired and the unit "recharged"?
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 12, 2013
    Ammonia is part of the cooling medium INSIDE the tubes/coils.........

    Ammonia smell means it has leaked out....cracked tube/tank

    Cooling unit is toast.

    Time to replace cooling unit, replace fridge or go residential.

    You get to choose which option.

    Option #1...replace cooling unit.....check with these folks LINK

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