Need help with Norcold Troubleshooting

[CAJW]

Ain't it always the case. Camper loaded, 4 kids excited about going camping tomorrow and our Norcold N621FL (2way) fridge is giving me fits! Plugged into AC, freezer is down to 20 degrees and falling after about 3 hrs. in 90 degrees OAT. Fridge 79 degrees. Switched to Propane, burner is going, still not cooling the fridge part, just the freezer. Unit is running, sounds normal. Followed manual suggested troubleshooting, no error codes of any type. Have cycled the unit off/on 3x, changed temp setting from 1-9, no difference.
Any ideas out there? Really hate to have to carry a large ice chest for the cold stuff.

[Old-Biscuit]

sleepy wrote:
And, when it isn't working because you weren't level for a prolong period of time the "fix" is to turn it off for a couple of days, let the coils "rest" so the system equalizes... drive around, shake up the ammonia... then and only then with the fridge level restart it's heat source (110 VAC, 12 VSC, or propane flame)

There is no 'fix' to the damage done by off-level operation.
The accumulative damage is permanent.
Off-level operation interrupts the gravity flow of the ammonia solution and the corrosion inhibitor gets overheated from lack of proper flow. It then plates out on the inside of the tubes like 'plaque' and is permanently affixed to the tubes....further restricting proper gravity flow of solution...more plating....more restriction....until blockage occurs.........no more cooling.

Here is a visual and explanation of the actual process in an absorption fridge and the permanent damage........LINK

[sleepy]

This is the way our RV refridgerators function.

How things work

If you read the article above you should understand the importance of being level.

And, when it isn't working because you weren't level for a prolong period of time the "fix" is to turn it off for a couple of days, let the coils "rest" so the system equalizes... drive around, shake up the ammonia... then and only then with the fridge level restart it's heat source (110 VAC, 12 VSC, or propane flame)

Doing the above first will save you a bucket full of money.

If it still doesn't function... phone the manufacture... it may be under warrenty or a system board might be under recall...

... then (and only then) take a look at replacing the control board

---------------------------

Notice... you do not ever have to turn the fridge upside down... you didn't have to replace the coil, you didn't pay a jack leg up to a 1400 dollars to fix or replace it.

There is nothing in the coil to plug up... you can have a vapor lock from parking with the unit out of level for an extended time

These are the simplist pieces of equipment that we have, turn off for a day or two, let it completely return to the ambient temperature, have patience, drive around, shake up, save money....

Sleepy

[Old-Biscuit]

RichieC wrote:
As others have implied, the freezer runs the whole fridge.
The freezer "leaks" cold air down into the fridge part.
Unless there is something blocking the air passages, and the freezer is working, then the fridge will eventually get cold.

Absorption fridges don't work like that.
A simple description.....
Freezer section has an evaporator and the food section has an evaporator..each section cools based on it's own evaporator.
The 'fins' in food section transfer the cool from it's evaporator.

Freezer section and food section are sealed from each other.

[CAJW]

SD, great minds think alike. I've actually got the ice chest loaded up and will do the same. Wife & Old Biscuit nailed it, I'm just excited to get up in the cool mountains. I never was good at waiting for something i really wanted to do.;).

[Super_Dave]

CAJW, My frig also bombs when it is as hot as the weather was early this last week. I've gone to bringing a small ice chest for drinks so that the door isn't opened quite so often when it is 90 - 100 degrees here in N.CA during the summer.

[bighatnohorse]

As others have implied, the freezer runs the whole fridge.
The freezer "leaks" cold air down into the fridge part.
Unless there is something blocking the air passages, and the freezer is working, then the fridge will eventually get cold.

[CAJW]

As is often said, patience is a virtue. Outside air temp this morning 59 degrees, fridge temp after running 12 hours, 17 degrees! Guess I'll stick to my old routine of always starting the fridge a day early. Thanks for the suggestions just the same.

[ticki2]

CAJW wrote:
Really hate to have to carry a large ice chest for the cold stuff.

FWIW a block of ice in the frig works as a great cooler .

[Old-Biscuit]

Hopefully you are just too excited (like the kids) and haven't waited long enough for the fridge to cool down.

Freezer section cools first ans has to get cold before food section can begin to cool down. On initial cool down freezer evaporator sucks most of the cooling effect so not much left over for food section evaporator until freezer is cold.


Hopefully........but cooling units with blockage problems can have freezer section cool way down and food section NOT due to blockage in between the 2 evaporators

[CAJW]

robsouth wrote:
A fridge can take as much as 24 hours to cool down. If you put anything in it that was not already cool, it can take longer. Mine takes at least 12 hours to reach temps and then I load with stuff that has already been refrigerated. Maybe you have just not waited long enough. Usually if the freezer is working well, the fridge will also as there is only one cooling unit for both.

That's the plan, since I have no other. Normally this unit is quick to cool down and within a few hours, it's down in the mid 40's. I agree, if the freezer is working, the fridge should be as well. Guess I'm spoiled to a quick cool down, so in the morning I'll either find it cool or will be loading an ice chest up. Thanks for the feedback and hope your right.

[robsouth]

A fridge can take as much as 24 hours to cool down. If you put anything in it that was not already cool, it can take longer. Mine takes at least 12 hours to reach temps and then I load with stuff that has already been refrigerated. Maybe you have just not waited long enough. Usually if the freezer is working well, the fridge will also as there is only one cooling unit for both.