Running Norcold refer off Inverter ??

[Golfwannabee]

I have a Norcold 1210 IM running off 110VAC or LPG. It works OK for now. When driving at altitude the LP side drops out and error messages occur. I've had it checked out, cleaned, etc. and no trouble found. I know these things can be altitude sensitive.

My question is, why not run it off my inverter (Xantrex RV2012GS) when driving? It is not presently wired to do so. I know I can run the generator to operate it as another alternative, but prefer less noise for me and others.

Any thoughts on whether it should work off inverter and suggestions on how best to proceed?

Thanks.

[Dr4Film]

When I still had my NotSoCold, I did it just once while traveling one day. I stopped to do some shopping, have lunch at a local restaurant and a small hike afterwards. Came back to the coach and the fridge was beeping, NO AC. The batteries had gotten too low to provide power to the fridge.

I totally forgot to switch it over to LPG when I parked the coach.

I never did it again as it wasn't worth the effort to remember plus I have severe CRS.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[Lt Dan]

Originally Posted by Golfwannabee

I have a Norcold 1210 IM running off 110VAC or LPG. It works OK for now. When driving at altitude the LP side drops out and error messages occur. I've had it checked out, cleaned, etc. and no trouble found. I know these things can be altitude sensitive.

My question is, why not run it off my inverter (Xantrex RV2012GS) when driving? It is not presently wired to do so. I know I can run the generator to operate it as another alternative, but prefer less noise for me and others.

Any thoughts on whether it should work off inverter and suggestions on how best to proceed?

Thanks.

According to the Norcold 1210 service manual, the 120volt current draw for that unit is 660 watts (5.5amps). Your inverter is a 2000 watt capable and will handle the draw if you have a large enough battery bank. You could run it for a short while but it will probably drain the batteries pretty fast.

Just my $.02 worth.

[dnystrom]

Yes they do draw the power while on electric.
Ours does not go out while on LP at altitude or for that
matter has never gone out while traveling. I would
see if there is something you can do to keep it lit.

[336muffin]

I tried it once from NC to Las Vegas, burned up the alternater before I got there. Can't definately say that is what caued it but the gen fuel is a lot cheaper than $400 repair bill!

[vsheetz]

I operate our Norwood 1200 on MSW inverter while traveling, without any issue. It does draw a fair amount of current and can draw down the batteries relatively quickly without the engine/alternator charging. But not during a typical lunch or pit stop period of time.

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

According to the Norcold 1210 service manual, the 120volt current draw for that unit is 660 watts (5.5amps). Your inverter is a 2000 watt capable and will handle the draw if you have a large enough battery bank. You could run it for a short while but it will probably drain the batteries pretty fast.

Just my $.02 worth.

Just for clarification, as long as your engine is turning the alternator, you should not have any battery drain unless you are running a lot of other stuff. I can't speak to 336muffin's problem but theoretically, there shouldn't have been a reason with his set up either. But...that is theoretical.

Now...not knowing what your house battery capabilities are, running it with the engine shut down could drain them fairly quickly if you forget to change the refer to gas only.

Personally, after getting a second opinion from a good RV tech I would opt to run the generator. Keep in mind that you wouldn't have to run it all the time if you keep the refer doors closed. Consider alternating the use of the generator with it being on for an hour then off for an hour if you are getting an LP alarm.

BTW...my previous gasser had a generator at the rear and while driving it I couldn't really hear it. My DP generator is up front and I can hear it if I listen real hard but that is generally when it is cranked up for both AC units and maybe Sandee is running the microwave to warm something up. I'm surprised your generator would be very noticeable if you are going down the road.

[MSHappyCampers]

We run the fridge (Norcold 1200LRIM) on inverter all the time while driving. There are two AC outlets behind our fridge. One is hot when the inverter is on and the other one is not. Works for us!

[gemini5362]

There are a lot of posters that run all electric refrigerators on inverters while they are traveling. I am one of them. The engine alternator charges the batteries while I am traveling and I do not have any problems. Been doing that for two years now. Longest trip doing it so far was about 5000 miles. Keep in mind that the only time a refrigerator is using current is when the temperature has gotten warm enough in the refrigerator that it has to cool back down. The rest of the time it is just a big ice chest and does not require any current.

[Dr4Film]

Originally Posted by gemini5362

There are a lot of posters that run all electric refrigerators on inverters while they are traveling. I am one of them. The engine alternator charges the batteries while I am traveling and I do not have any problems. Been doing that for two years now. Longest trip doing it so far was about 5000 miles. Keep in mind that the only time a refrigerator is using current is when the temperature has gotten warm enough in the refrigerator that it has to cool back down. The rest of the time it is just a big ice chest and does not require any current.

I completely agree with your post as I have a residential fridge.

However, running a residential fridge on an inverter is TOTALLY different than running an absorption fridge on an inverter.

Apples and Oranges.....Let's stick with the topic, please!

Dr4Film ----- Richard

[SpursMVP]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

We run the fridge (Norcold 1200LRIM) on inverter all the time while driving. There are two AC outlets behind our fridge. One is hot when the inverter is on and the other one is not. Works for us!

We swapped our plugs for this. In other words since we will run the refer on LPG while running down the highway, by plugging the icemaker of the Norcold into the inverter plug, I can leave the inverter on and it will continue making ice in the freezer. This also works great when we are boondocking.

With our solar panels the only time we will run the genset is to run the AC units. Just a matter of what each person likes because I know just 1 thing...LPG is much cheaper than diesel so running the refer on gas instead of running the genset seems to make sense to me.

Good luck!

[phranc]

I do exactly what MShappycampers does . Works like a charm