Tip for resetting Norcold Recall box

[caheath]

Just want to share some info to perhaps save others some hassle:

The smallish black recall box installed as a "fix" to the fire hazard in Norcold fridges is a PITA. Moisture from rain or washing the motor home can cause this box to go into an error state, indicated by a red LED on the box. When this happens, an internal relay trips and the 12vdc needed for operation (LP and AC mode) is not passed to the fridge control board. Fridge will not operate at all.

When this happens to my recall box, I hold a 1" magnet on the box to the right of the LED..after 20-30 seconds, the internal relay resets and I'm back in business.

I now keep this magnet on hand. I bought it at Ace Hardware.

I also installed a halon auto release fire extinguisher in the fridge compartment. Bought fromac the Fire Guy My Business - Home. This will save my life, not that recall box.

BUT be sure to have the recall box installed or your insurance may refuse to pay ii there is a fire.

[kalynzoo]

I was told the same thing by my mobile tech, but sadly I did not share my information. Thank you, I am sure it will be helpful to many others. It is a shame that Norcold chose a fix that fails so often that people must find of the book ways to overcome the many faults. Also, although this will restart the frig if the black box shutoff is not noticed in time people will suffer the lose of food. My new rig has a residential frig.

[Wayne M]

My concern is what caused it to trip in the first place. Was it water, etc., or did the stack heat up enough to trip it.

Any yellow residue inside the compartment?

[caheath]

Originally Posted by Wayne M

My concern is what caused it to trip in the first place. Was it water, etc., or did the stack heat up enough to trip it.

Any yellow residue inside the compartment?

Initial post: "Moisture from rain or washing the motor home..."

[JGrosman]

I has been almost two months from the refrig fire. I noticed the refrig not working about 3am. No red light in back of refrig. Everything look OK. At 5:30 I drove to the grocery to get some dry ice. At 6:10 I come into the campground to see fire at my coach. I got my wife up and out of the coach. I garbed two fire extinguishers and they did nothing. I could hear something like a jet engine from the back of the refirg. Hooked up a hose and put the fire out myself. Insurance is paying for most of the cost but there are limits and deductibles. Also they will not pay for a new refrig because that is a known defect. So far Norcold is of no help. $800 deductible and 250 deductible for personal property and then a new refrig, about $9,000 out of my pocket. My advice is get rid of the refrig. Almost lost my wife. Fix does not work all the time. So far two months living in motels finding someone to repair from a fire and insurance deciding what to do ,and with another 2 months to go with me paying because it is over the dollar total limit. I think I will be out about $12,000. We are full timers with no house to go home to.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The ARPRV website has tips on troubleshooting and resetting the Norcold Recall Module - see Troubleshoot Norcold Recall| Reset Recall | Fridge Off | Norcold Not Working

Those who want to keep their Dometic and Norcold absorption fridges should consider adding the ARP controller to their box. It goes a major step further in managing the boiler temperature and will prevent many of the issues that lead to failure and fires. No, it's not foolproof either, but it makes an absorption fridge quite a bit safer as well as extending its useful life. I have one on mine, as do many other IRV2 members.
ARPrv | RV Refrigerator | RV Fridge Control | Install by Cooling Unit | RV Fire

[fastcat]

Don't know if they're all the same but on mine the power has to be on to the box or it will not reset.

I built a shield out of thin aluminum flashing and installed it over the outside of the black box to keep from spraying it with the hose again.

[DAJO]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

The ARPRV website has tips on troubleshooting and resetting the Norcold Recall Module - see Troubleshoot Norcold Recall| Reset Recall | Fridge Off | Norcold Not Working

Those who want to keep their Dometic and Norcold absorption fridges should consider adding the ARP controller to their box. It goes a major step further in managing the boiler temperature and will prevent many of the issues that lead to failure and fires. No, it's not foolproof either, but it makes an absorption fridge quite a bit safer as well as extending its useful life. I have one on mine, as do many other IRV2 members.
ARPrv | RV Refrigerator | RV Fridge Control | Install by Cooling Unit | RV Fire

I also have the ARP unit installed. Other than being a monitor or boiler temps it helped me greatly in troubleshooting my Amish unit when it cooled poorly. The suppliers of cooling units and the Amish do not like the ARP unit, they don't want us to know what is happening and don't want us to ask questions and know what our cooling unit is really doing.

[Wayne M]

Originally Posted by caheath

Initial post: "Moisture from rain or washing the motor home..."

Originally Posted by Wayne M

My concern is what caused it to trip in the first place. Was it water, etc., or did the stack heat up enough to trip it.

Any yellow residue inside the compartment?

Let me rephrase my concern. Are you sure it was from water or moisture? Was there any yellow substance/residue inside the compartment?

I have had the fix (black box) since 2008 and water/moisture has never gotten into the box. Is it a sealed box? I'll have to look at mine again.

I also spent the money to put in an automatic fire extinguisher. Just in case.

[caheath]

Originally Posted by JGrosman

I has been almost two months from the refrig fire. I noticed the refrig not working about 3am. No red light in back of refrig. Everything look OK. At 5:30 I drove to the grocery to get some dry ice. At 6:10 I come into the campground to see fire at my coach. I got my wife up and out of the coach. I garbed two fire extinguishers and they did nothing. I could hear something like a jet engine from the back of the refirg. Hooked up a hose and put the fire out myself. Insurance is paying for most of the cost but there are limits and deductibles. Also they will not pay for a new refrig because that is a known defect. So far Norcold is of no help. $800 deductible and 250 deductible for personal property and then a new refrig, about $9,000 out of my pocket. My advice is get rid of the refrig. Almost lost my wife. Fix does not work all the time. So far two months living in motels finding someone to repair from a fire and insurance deciding what to do ,and with another 2 months to go with me paying because it is over the dollar total limit. I think I will be out about $12,000. We are full timers with no house to go home to.

Awful, but so glad you made it out safely! Norcold's "fix" is NOT a real fix. This is why I installed the auto release halon extinguisher.

[caheath]

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Let me rephrase my concern. Are you sure it was from water or moisture? Was there any yellow substance/residue inside the compartment?

I have had the fix (black box) since 2008 and water/moisture has never gotten into the box. Is it a sealed box? I'll have to look at mine again.

I also spent the money to put in an automatic fire extinguisher. Just in case.

Yes, positive. Many people have reported problems with moisture triggering the error state. You are fortunate. As I initially posted, I installed an auto-release halon extinguisher because Norcold's "fix" is a joke.

[Wayne M]

It's not really a "fix," it is a "work around."

The extinguisher is a good approach in any compartment that could have a fire.

Thanks.

[racerb]

Can someone put up a picture of the Black Box with red light? Not sure about it.
Thanks

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by racerb

Can someone put up a picture of the Black Box with red light? Not sure about it.
Thanks

YES ..Control Module (Recall Box) Can be 'reset' using a strong magnet.

2 questions should be asked/answered prior to resetting

1) Did this trip occur due to high stack temp........sensor is set for 700*F
2) Am I sure that the trip did not occur due to high stack temp