Norcold AC Heater Replacement

[WindsorDave]

My Norcold 1200 LRIM trips the GFI breaker. I thought it was the AC outlet because after cleaning the outlet and plug it worked for a time without tripping the breaker. Unfortunately the problem has returned.

FYI: The serial number of the cooling unit, as opposed to the reefer itself, is 1217013 which is relevant in deciding which heater part number to order.

I checked resistance of the heaters and both were in spec at 63 and 65 ohms. However, one of the heaters was presenting a resistance from wire to body that varied between 2 meg-ohms and 90 k-ohms depending on how the wire was held. That path of conductance is almost certainly the cause of the GFI tripping. BTW: I plugged the reefer into a non-GFI residential outlet and it worked fine in AC mode.

The parts manual says to order heater # 618872 for cooling unit serial numbers 11231145 and below and heater # 630807 for cooling unit serial numbers 11231146 and above. On the face of it, my unit should take heater # 618872 but I seem to recall something funny about the cooling unit serial numbers - that a leading or trailing number(s) needed to be dropped?

So I have two questions:

1. Is 618872 the correct heater for cooling unit 1217013?

2. How are the heaters removed and replaced with the cooling unit in situ? I cannot see how to make the exchange without cutting away the insulation. Please see "007" 's picture below from the recall thread. Mine is the same configuration.



Thanks,

[Troubleshooter]

According to the parts manual for the 1200LRIM, there is only one part number for the 120V/255W heating elements. That part number is 618872

Bill

["007"]

I have same condition on one element with mine, once it heats up will trip a GFI outlet. Doesn't effect the Surge Protector but will if GEN is run through the SP.
Thought the wires for elements were causing problem running behind the cooling coils so redressed from back to front of cooling coils. There is no way of changing rods with refridge setting as it is the rods hit frame of opening for vent so have not replaced.
You have to cut away insulation just where the rods turn into stack and don't move insulation around to much as it will crumble as mine did, same year coach.
Have some tin foil tape to closeup. You may find the rods stuck in tube use some rust penetrating oil to get loose and rods will lift up once you have the clearance moving refridge.
You only need a couple of inches to clear vent would have to remove screws top and bottom of faceplate and screws in rear deck so you can slide refridge forward enough to get clearance for element removal. I would dress wires for them over face of coils and tie away from heat sources.
Would need help to move and gas line should be ok for short distance of move.
Just shut off gas and electric.
You have correct part number.
1200 Refrigerator

[WindsorDave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troubleshooter According to the parts manual for the 1200LRIM, there is only one part number for the 120V/255W heating elements. That part number is 618872 Bill

Thanks, Bill, for the response. I've attached my parts manual which may be a different revision than yours. The heaters are on page 15, item number 4.

That said, I'm happy to accept that 618872 is the correct heater number.

Dave

[WindsorDave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007" I have same condition on one element with mine, once it heats up will trip a GFI outlet. Doesn't effect the Surge Protector but will if GEN is run through the SP...

Thanks, "007". It's never as easy as it first appears! I got the service manual and parts list from the same place that your link references. Both you and Bill confirmed my guess that 618872 is the right number for the heaters.

Thanks again.