Norcold refrigerator

skipperdude · 04-14-2011, 11:40 AM

My little Norcold keeps tripping it's little breaker and shutting down.

A friend who works for an R/V dealer, told me to turn it upside down for a day then plug it back in again.

I pulled it out and inverted it.

Do you think this will work.

SD

sunchaser · 04-14-2011, 12:06 PM

Yes, that technique will work. Especially if you invert over 100 fathoms, drop and then buy a NovaKool.

skipperdude · 04-14-2011, 12:28 PM

I,m laughing my ass off.

HeyJude · 04-14-2011, 03:29 PM

Tripping the breaker doesn't sound like a symptom requiring inverting. Advise how your test works.

FF · 04-15-2011, 03:34 AM

IF this is a propane style fridge , at times lack of cooling CAN be cured by rotating the entire unit in the proper sequence.

Blowing a breaker is an electrical problem , loose or small wiring?

Ventilation IS critical on absorbtion fridges , clean the rear .

If this is a compressor style fridge , send your "mechanic" home, FOREVER!

rwidman · 04-15-2011, 05:47 AM

Quote:

skipperdude wrote:
My little Norcold keeps tripping it's little breaker and shutting down.

A friend who works for an R/V dealer, told me to turn it upside down for a day then plug it back in again.

I pulled it out and inverted it.

Do you think this will work.

SD

*You already pulled it out and inverted it so why are you asking?* You will be the first to know if it works.* Please let us know.

BTW:

"A friend who works for an R/V dealer, told me to turn it upside down for a day then plug it back in again.

I pulled it out and inverted it."

Did he tell you to put it back in it's original orientation before reconnecting it?*

-- Edited by rwidman on Friday 15th of April 2011 06:47:39 AM

-- Edited by rwidman on Friday 15th of April 2011 06:48:09 AM

Rob · 04-15-2011, 06:57 AM

Skipperdude- I think that you problem might be that you are trying to run your fridge when the outside temp is Colder then the fridge temp. Don't real Alaskans simply scoop up a chunk of Glacier Ice to keep the dinner and drinks cold? There is just nothing like the Snap, Crackle and Pop of Glacier Ice when you pour a little Scotch in to your glass.

Rob Hays

*

skipperdude · 04-15-2011, 07:46 AM

I won't know if it worked or not I took it to a Norcold repair shop.

It seems*that the inverting thing *may occasionally work on a propane fridge,

There is a little red button on the inverter. Or what ever you call it. With a light *that comes on when it trips. *So like FF said it may just be an electrical issue.

sd

*

JD · 04-15-2011, 07:49 AM

I think the invert it idea is from the old days of the unit setting idle for long periods*and the gas in the solid state gets trapped on the wrong side of the expansion valve.* But I believe the refrigerant in those systems was Ammonia and not Freon.* Also these were the three way units, Gas, 12V and 120V.**

This is a lot like turning your fire extinguisher over every year to keep the contents from settling in the bottom.

skipperdude · 04-15-2011, 08:49 AM

Are the Norcolds ammonia or freon?

the thing is probubly about 20 years old.

*I have no idea.

SD

FF · 04-15-2011, 12:15 PM

Are the Norcolds ammonia or freon?

Depends on which one someone bought.

The freon fridges (every brand) are power hogs and will flatten a batt set with ease.

The Ammonia use propane , so there is no DC load, just a 20# bottle to refill every month or so.

Capn Craig · 04-15-2011, 03:38 PM

If it's *a 120volt/12volt is has a compressor and uses freon. *Don't turn it over and back and fire it back up without waiting for a few hours for the gas and liquid freon to migrate back to where it should be. *Failing to do this, will likely blow the compressor since it will be pumping against liquid instead of gas. *

A small Norcold pulls about 3 to 4 amps at 12 volts when running. * Mine runs about 1/2 the time, in 90 deg. heat exposed to the sun. *I never had a bit of trouble going 2 1/2 days running from 4 6v GC-2's. * which also run a 1800W inverter to make the microwave work to make coffee in the morning as well as a toaster, run the cabin and anchor light.

Other than being ridiculously expensive, I can't say anything bad about them.

*

*

**

**koliver** · 04-16-2011, 07:22 AM

If it is an AC/DC unit, that is the problem. Get it switched over to DC only and you will have reliability, economy, cold food, and never need to ask about your *&@$* Norcold again.
See my several earlier rants on this subject for full reasons.

FF · 04-17-2011, 02:55 AM

"Get it switched over to DC only and you will have reliability, economy, cold food, and never need to ask about your *&@$* Norcold again."

Not usually , the Norcold works on some strange voltage 29 ?32? so a 12v supply is still subject to the electronic workings of the unique system.

skipperdude · 04-19-2011, 07:51 AM

Turning it upside down does not work.

*I now have a 31 c.i. anchor.

So what is the best deal on a small fridge?

Brand names?

SD

JohnP · 04-19-2011, 08:16 AM

This is no joke.* If I lived in Alaska I would seriously consider setting up a nice icebox.

I have used ice boxes successfully in mild climates, the ice can last quite a while if done right.* A 50lb block could last a week.

Quiet and no electric needed.** JohnP

rwidman · 04-19-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

skipperdude wrote:
Turning it upside down does not work.

*I now have a 31 c.i. anchor.

So what is the best deal on a small fridge?

Brand names?

SD

*Isotherm or Nova Kool.

*

**koliver** · 04-19-2011, 08:41 AM

Fred:

My point exactly. Get away from the Norcold system, go to a Dan Foss ( or other reliable 12v only) and get away from problems altogether.

skipperdude · 04-19-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

JohnP wrote:
This is no joke.* If I lived in Alaska I would seriously consider setting up a nice icebox.

I have used ice boxes successfully in mild climates, the ice can last quite a while if done right.* A 50lb block could last a week.

Quiet and no electric needed.** JohnP

Thanks.

*You know I have used ice for years in the past. I usually just collect it off a glacier.

It is just nice to have a plug and play.

In the winter it does more to keep things from freezing than refrigerating.

I want to do the gentelman boating gig.**Drive to the harbor get on the boat and go. Not have to worry if I have enough ice.

Big coolers are bulky and clutter up the deck.

Thanks but in this day and age I should be able to have a fridge on the boat.

SD

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*

rwidman · 04-19-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

skipperdude wrote:
I want to do the gentelman boating gig.**Drive to the harbor get on the boat and go. Not have to worry if I have enough ice.

Big coolers are bulky and clutter up the deck.

Thanks but in this day and age I should be able to have a fridge on the boat.

I would like to do that also.* I have a refrigerator and it works fine.* For some reason, my wife thinks we need 24 bottles of cold water and a dozen bottles of beer (even though we no longer drink) on the boat so we have to stop for ice anyway.

What do we run out of first on a trip?* Fuel?* Water?* Holding tank capacity? *Food?* Electrical power?*

No - Ice!

*

*