Norcold fan not working

[lukidog]

We're headed out to an FMCA rally tomorrow and started packing the coach today. After turning the fridge on, we could hear the fan starting and stopping, over and over. It would only stay on for 1-2 seconds. We turned the fridge off, waited 10 minutes, and turned it back on. Now, there's no sound of the fan at all.

It's been on LP for about 3.5 hours and has cooled from 84 down to 55 in the fridge and 20 in the freezer. So it IS cooling, but I'm just wondering about that fan. We usually hear it on a hot day like today. The thing that worries me is the way it was constantly cycling very quickly, and now it's not on at all. Is there anything we can check? Don't suppose there's a fuse for the fan. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Mary & Dennis
06 DutchStar

[HappyCamper2]

Hi Mary & Dennis,
It is typical for the thermal switch to cycle depending on the outside temperature, especially when first turning it on. If it is still occurring after 2-3 days, then you might want to have it checked. Asked a couple of RV techs and they agree this is normal behavior when turning the fridge on and not to worry. Have fun at your rally and...

Have a great day!

[Sammie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukidog We're headed out to an FMCA rally tomorrow and started packing the coach today. After turning the fridge on, we could hear the fan starting and stopping, over and over. It would only stay on for 1-2 seconds. We turned the fridge off, waited 10 minutes, and turned it back on. Now, there's no sound of the fan at all. It's been on LP for about 3.5 hours and has cooled from 84 down to 55 in the fridge and 20 in the freezer. So it IS cooling, but I'm just wondering about that fan. We usually hear it on a hot day like today. The thing that worries me is the way it was constantly cycling very quickly, and now it's not on at all. Is there anything we can check? Don't suppose there's a fuse for the fan. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Mary & Dennis 06 DutchStar

lukidog, It would be helpful to know what model fridge you have. I'm assuming it's a Norcold 1200 because it has fans. Normally it takes at least 8 to 10 hrs for the fridge temps to get down to normal cold levels. The normal temperatures are 32 to 40 degrees fridge and around 8 to 10 degrees freezer. If your loading the fridge while it's trying to cool down it will need to be on overnight to reach its normal levels. As for the fans, they will cycle on and off depending on how hard the fridge is working to cool down and the outside air temperature. There is a "Fan Thermal Switch" located at the very top of the fridge (on the back). It's attached to the condensor fins and turns the fans on at 130 degrees and off at 115 degrees, thus the cycling. As long as the fridge is cooling down you should be good to go, but the fans do play a big part in keeping your fridge at an acceptable level. If you would like to see what the fans and thermal switch looks like watch this short video.

‪Norcold 1200 to Amish Cooling Unit Conversion.mpg‬‏ - YouTube

If your fans continue to not work like they should, you should get it checked out when you get home. Its possible to have a bad Thermal Switch.

Sammie

[Airtool]

I have to agree that its the thermal switch.They tend to be effected more by the AC heating element then when running on LP in my mind.The thermal sensors that have been used on the fan circuit are mounted tightly to this area of the cooling units.

Dick.