Community Forums

onebrit · 06-06-2017, 04:25 PM

Just wondered if anyone has a problem with there Norcold refrigerator not cooling while travelling. Works fine when parked, even tried running gen set on route but still gets warm on long drive loosing food as a result. Service centers have not found a problem it just fails when on a long drive any suggestions.
Thanks for any input on this issue.

marcham · 06-06-2017, 05:02 PM

Is it in a slide out? Ie: is it vented to the roof or out the side of the RV? Does it have fans and do they work?

onebrit · 06-06-2017, 06:03 PM

Thanks for your reply, no its not in a slide and keep in mind that several service centers have checked it out and say all is working fine which it does until we take along trip. We even tried running the gen set as we thought maybe the gas was the only problem I have my suspicions that the moving vibration is causing a component to breakdown or loose connection some where and shutting the refrigerator off. With this being difficult for a service center to prove with out them taking it on a long trip, we all know intermittent problems can be a pain to find.
Again any advise or suggestions really appreciated.

MSHappyCampers · 06-07-2017, 06:19 AM

My first thought would be that while traveling a suction is being created at the bottom vent, preventing enough air flow through the condenser fins at the top. You might try fans in the top vent. Look at my post #25 in the thread below.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f54/fridg...-218996-2.html

marcham · 06-07-2017, 09:42 PM

Did you check to see if there are fans? Are there baffles to control the airflow, sometimes they fall out, sometimes the manufacturer forgets to install them. Refer to the installation manual and see if the installation was compliant.

Jake21 · 06-09-2017, 07:16 AM

Are the fans working?

**Lt Dan** · 06-09-2017, 10:36 AM

We had the same situation with the Norcold in our Itasca. It would cool great when sitting still, but on the road the temperature would rise. I suspected the same thing that Joe mentioned, the air flow down the side of the coach was creating a vacuum or not allowing air to be drawn through the cavity. Proper cooling on these units relies on air flow across the condenser fins at the top of the unit on the back. I was going to experiment with some "air scoops" on the intake grill on the side in an attempt to force air through the cavity, but we traded the unit before I could complete the process.

onebrit · 06-09-2017, 02:28 PM

Hi Guys
Thanks so much for all your help I particularly want to say thanks to Dan as he appears to be the only one that has had the same exact problem although couldn't confirm fix. But will pursue installing fans to see if that is a fix and will let you know if fans solve the problem any other Idea's always interested.
Thanks again for all your help its great that we are willing to contribute our knowledge and help where we can.
Kindest Regards to all.

Pataul · 06-11-2017, 06:14 AM

we have a 2005 Pheaton that had the same problem. the previous owner had the Amish unit installed on the refrigerator but the installer had not properly insulated the unit. we took it to Indiana and had the manufacturer remove the unit and insulate it per instructions and have not had the problem since. hope this helps.