Community Forums

oceandansar · 01-04-2016, 12:14 PM

our Norcold Refrigerator caught fire New Years Day 2016 Looking for help on what to do Read a post of the man who was involved in the case against Norcold and he talked about The "ammonia" smell I would like to speak more to him but can not find it now. Does any one have any info. It was our first trip in this 5th wheel Happy New Year !

**CLIFFTALL** · 01-04-2016, 12:20 PM

Sorry to hear this. Hope everybody was OK. Welcome to irv2 ( your first post ).Here's a link to some threads on this that may be helpful.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Norc...com&gws_rd=ssl

Cliff

Gary RVRoamer · 01-06-2016, 03:28 PM

If you have questions about how an RV absorption fridge works, or what happens when it fails, Paul Unmack is the go-to guy. He has even patented a device that detects fridge overheating and shuts it down before damage occurs. Paul is a industrial control systems engineer and so is his wife, so they really know their stuff!

You will find a wealth of info on his website. ARPRV.COM.

Contact info at Contact Us | ARP FAQ | ARP Questions | ARP Control Answers

Gary RVRoamer · 01-06-2016, 03:33 PM

The refrigerant in an Absorption fridge is basically ammonia and hydrogen, with some sodium chromate added to help prevent corrosion. It is under high pressure and runs at extremely hot temperatures when in use - around 350 degrees. If you smell ammonia, the cooling unit is leaking it's refrigerant. Likewise, if you see a yellow powder, it's the sodium chromate that leaked out with the ammonia. If you smell or see either one, the cooling unit is already a goner.

oceandansar · 01-07-2016, 05:59 AM

It's a goner already sitting on the floor of the barn in a charred mess.

Papa_Jim · 01-07-2016, 09:42 AM

Ouch!

Obviously you managed to get the fire out before losing your RV. Was there much damage to the RV?

Jim

Larry Geese · 01-07-2016, 09:52 AM

I lost my Camelot motor home in Dec of 2009 due to the Norcold ref fire.
First I smelled to smoke...next heard the flames form the LPG. Nest big fire..totaled the rig.
Norcold was great...sent and inspector to verify it wass the Norcoold that caused the fire. Progressive Insurance also was fair.
I didn't touch the Camelot/Norcold until inspectors made their reports.
Larry

oceandansar · 01-08-2016, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa_Jim

Ouch!

Obviously you managed to get the fire out before losing your RV. Was there much damage to the RV?

Jim

Thankfuly not much damage just to the back of the cabinet. I was inside when it started and thanks to quick action by others it was put out within a couple of minutes.