Norcold Fridge Not Cooling in 05 Winnie Voyage

[JC2]

While camping this last weekend, I noticed some inconsistancies in the cooling of our fridge (Norcold Model N842IMR)when in AC mode.
1.) Temp Setting 5: Fridge 46-48 Freezer 0, +-5 Degrees
2.) Temp Setting 6: Fridge 43-47 Freezer 0, +- 5 Degrees
3.) Temp Setting 7: Fridge 42-46 Freezer 0, +- 5 Degrees
Outside temps were 75-80 during the day and low 50's at night. Inside fridge temps would drop to the upper 30's at night; freezer stayed the same. Unit is level, outside compartment clean, input voltage consistant at 120-125. When on LP, the freezer temps are consistant but the inside will get down to 30-33 degrees.
Doesn't seem like it is cooling the lower fridge side and was wondering if anyone has has similiar problems with the same model fridge/MH? In our previous 5ver, we had a Dometic Americana with auto temp control and after I found the right position for the clip on the fins, we regularly saw 0 degrees in the freezer and low 30's in the fridge.

[JC2]

While camping this last weekend, I noticed some inconsistancies in the cooling of our fridge (Norcold Model N842IMR)when in AC mode.
1.) Temp Setting 5: Fridge 46-48 Freezer 0, +-5 Degrees
2.) Temp Setting 6: Fridge 43-47 Freezer 0, +- 5 Degrees
3.) Temp Setting 7: Fridge 42-46 Freezer 0, +- 5 Degrees
Outside temps were 75-80 during the day and low 50's at night. Inside fridge temps would drop to the upper 30's at night; freezer stayed the same. Unit is level, outside compartment clean, input voltage consistant at 120-125. When on LP, the freezer temps are consistant but the inside will get down to 30-33 degrees.
Doesn't seem like it is cooling the lower fridge side and was wondering if anyone has has similiar problems with the same model fridge/MH? In our previous 5ver, we had a Dometic Americana with auto temp control and after I found the right position for the clip on the fins, we regularly saw 0 degrees in the freezer and low 30's in the fridge.

[RV Wizard]

Check the venting and add fan especially if the top vent is on the side wall. If it has a fan be sure it comes on in warm temps. Ar the doors fully closing? Do not block the evaporator coil and add a fan if you want. Let us know what you find and we will try to be more helpful.

[JC2]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RV Wizard:
Check the venting and add fan especially if the top vent is on the side wall. If it has a fan be sure it comes on in warm temps. Ar the doors fully closing? Do not block the evaporator coil and add a fan if you want. Let us know what you find and we will try to be more helpful. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Thanks Wiz for the reply. This weekend I plan on rechecking the exterior vents/insulation/door seals etc.; and to possibly install a large 12v thermostaically controlled fan that I got from CW and possibly install a PC case fan on the inside. It just seemed to me that the reefer part should be cooler better in AC mode considering the mild outdoor temps.

UPDATE: 4/24/07 5pm
Just got an E-Mail from Norcold wanting my fridge sn. They seem to think possible bad heating element.

[CWHTRAINS]

I installed a PC cooling fan inside our Journey this winter. Finally got to de-winterize this weekend and started up the Norcold 1200 LRIMSS unit. Now, we are not going in it more than once a day (in storage lot), but when I checked it, using the setting of 8 it was 34 degrees in the refrigerator section. Our refrigerator already had the exterior fans installed. This cooling is much better performance than I ever got last year without the interior fan. Will be out some this coming weekend, so we will see how it goes with some more normal use of the refirgerator.

[JC2]

After using the unit this last weekend on a setting of 7 and 8, the freezer stayed at -5,-10 and the reefer at 30-34. I'm going to try a setting of 6 and see what temp results. After corresonding with Norcold by E-Mail last week, they think it might be a defective heating element in AC mode and if so would be a warranty item. Brought the unit home and just checked and it seems to be holding at 34 on a temp setting of 7. Maybe I am being to optimistic on the fridge's capabilities and will have to run it on 7-8.

[JC2]

After several days the reefer has been maintaining temps in the low to mid 30's and 0 to -5 in the freezer on a setting of 6-7. It seems to be working ok now but I'm still going to add a fan in the outside compartment and inside the reefer along with having it checked out by an authorized service center in June. Need this to get the extra 1yr on the warranty. Still haven't figured out why it was sluggish before though..

[Ray,IN]

I suggest the sluggishness was because the weak ammonia solution settled during storage. This link explains the process very well.

[JC2]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ray,IN:
I suggest the sluggishness was because the weak ammonia solution settled during storage. This link explains the process very well. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the informative article. Still cooling ok as of this date and hope it continues to do so.