Norcold Refrigerator Fire

[Jim_Arndt]

We have two N841R refrigerators on our houseboat at Lake Powell. Yesterday while running the generator with the refrigerators in AC mode, one of the refrigerator powerboards caught fire where the AC powercord attaches.

Fortunately several were on board and were able to quickly put out the fire.

We are having our dealer come out, but it is interesting to note that Thetford customer support provided no assistance, and refused to let us talk to a technician to determine root cause.

Surprising lack of support, we've bought 4 of these refrigerators in the past 5 years, you think they could at least take our phone call.

Link to pics:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wqr5zK7TbjtHwf373

[Jim_Arndt]

SidecarFlip wrote:
Looking at the picture the OP linked to. I'd agree with Mr. Biscuit, corroded connections and high resistance creating heat and fire...

Don't Lake Powell have a fairly high percentage of salinity? (maybe it don't but I recollect reading that somewhere), maybe in the book 'Cadillac Desert'.

No, Lake Powell is very much fresh water, it's one of the main reservoirs on the Colorado river ( I think you are thinking of the Salton Sea in California.)

As I also have a sail boat in a slip in the Pacific, to me, there is very little corrosion on the houseboat. The mercruisers, refirs, and other all looks in great shape with little to no corrosion compared to systems on the sail boat.

Time to check every connection on the houseboat, sail boat, RV, home, I thought a fuse would protect against this...

[dougrainer]

You thought it was suprising that you received lack of support or help in determining what happened??? WHERE have you been the last 60 years? For ANY company to even attempt to help would be inviting a lawsuit. You think if your Auto caught on fire the Auto maker would talk to you at all? Hardly. From your pic, that is where the 120 cord plugs into the control board. That is BEFORE the fuse for the 120 heater. Bugs/rodents/lizards/ small snakes anything could have burrowed in there and caused a direct draw that would not trip a breaker. I have had small geico's get in my 220 pool pump timers and get fried. Funny thing is, I tried to call GEICO, and they too would not discus why their employee was in my pool timer:B Doug

[SidecarFlip]

Looking at the picture the OP linked to. I'd agree with Mr. Biscuit, corroded connections and high resistance creating heat and fire...

Don't Lake Powell have a fairly high percentage of salinity? (maybe it don't but I recollect reading that somewhere), maybe in the book 'Cadillac Desert'.

[Jim_Arndt]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Well
Electrical fire at AC terminals on circuit board was probably due to loose/corroded connections.

Water environment requires higher degree of maintenance.

Wow, ok, so the fuse would not blow? There is a 5 amp fuse on the powerboard, and a circuit breaker at the main ac panel.

So, are you saying there was resistance at the powerboard AC connector, causing it to heat eventually igniting the wire insulation or other?

I guess I thought a fuse would blow, but I guess not in the above scenario as the current never exceeded the fuse rating.

Scary, as this would apply to a residential fridge or any appliance on board.

So how do you maintain this, after the applicance has been powered on for a while feel the wire for warmth? Learned something new today, thanks guys...

[ScottG]

WILDEBILL308 wrote:

Jim_Arndt wrote:
We have two N841R refrigerators on our houseboat at Lake Powell. Yesterday while running the generator with the refrigerators in AC mode, one of the refrigerator powerboards caught fire where the AC powercord attaches.

Fortunately several were on board and were able to quickly put out the fire.

We are having our dealer come out, but it is interesting to note that Dometic customer support provided no assistance, and refused to let us talk to a technician to determine root cause.

Surprising lack of support, we've bought 4 of these refrigerators in the past 5 years, you think they could at least take our phone call.

Pretty much why more and more people are going with a residential refrigerator.
Bill

Wouldn't have made any difference; A loose 120V connection would cause excessive heat regardless if it had a compressor or not.

[Jim_Arndt]

ctilsie242 wrote:
I'm confused. The N841R is a Norcold product...

My bad, post edited... :S

[ctilsie242]

I'm confused. The N841R is a Norcold product...

In any case, I would highly recommend a TF2600 from TruckFridge or a similar compressor system. It takes five amps (60 watts), but it will be reliable.

[Old-Biscuit]

Well IF the model number is a N841 it is a NORCOLD so that is probably why Dometic was of no help :S


Electrical fire at AC terminals on circuit board was probably due to loose/corroded connections.

Water environment requires higher degree of maintenance \



Glad fire was localized.

[WILDEBILL308]

Jim_Arndt wrote:
We have two N841R refrigerators on our houseboat at Lake Powell. Yesterday while running the generator with the refrigerators in AC mode, one of the refrigerator powerboards caught fire where the AC powercord attaches.

Fortunately several were on board and were able to quickly put out the fire.

We are having our dealer come out, but it is interesting to note that Dometic customer support provided no assistance, and refused to let us talk to a technician to determine root cause.

Surprising lack of support, we've bought 4 of these refrigerators in the past 5 years, you think they could at least take our phone call.

Pretty much why more and more people are going with a residential refrigerator.
Bill

[SidecarFlip]

I'd say it got a little hot. Looks like something shorted out.