Norcold 3 way reefer modal # 683

[kartvines]

Prior to our failed maiden voyage I read a lot on what to do before leaving so we pluged the power plug in and turned the reefer onto auto and in the AC mode it cooled down nicely, but once we departed thing warmed up quite quickly and it seem to have been the partial cause of my battery drain, so what did I do wrong?

Do most of you used the reefer while trailering or wait until you get to where you are going? Needless to say we lost all of our food stuff, and once we turned the engine off we had total power lost in all 3 batteries the 2 house and the starter.

I didn't want to turn it to propane not wanting to have to turn if off at every fill up and before entering tunnels etc.

[Glenn and Kathy]

Do you have a 3 way refer? Most are 2 way AC or propane. If you disconnect the AC and have the propane turned off on a 2 way you will have no refer. The no 12v is probobly a different problem not connected with the refer, unless the refer kept trying to start and ran the battery down.

Glenn

Sorry I missread the heading

[Wanabee FTer]

I read your other post about loosing the alternator belt. Most 12v refrigerators will take around 350 watts to operated. Since the alternator was not charging the battery, it would not take very long for the fridge to run down your house batteries. Hopefully once the belt problem is resolved, this issue will be resolved also.
Good luck

[kartvines]

Yes it is a 3 way, AC DC and propane

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn and Kathy Do you have a 3 way refer? Most are 2 way AC or propane. If you disconnect the AC and have the propane turned off on a 2 way you will have no refer. The no 12v is probobly a different problem not connected with the refer, unless the refer kept trying to start and ran the battery down. Glenn

[Cat320]

Turn on AC power, the propane and put the switch in "auto." That way, when you disconnect AC power, it goes to propane automatically. As a suggestion, after you turn the propane on, light the stove...that will get all the air out of the lines and the refer will light much easier.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The 683 is a three way fridge. If you have the DC switch set to ON, the 683 will pull about 16 amps from the batteries and will do so pretty much continuously unless it is pretty cold inside the rig and out. The DC ON position will override the AUTO or LP setting. So do not have DC ON unless you really want to use your batteries and you should do so for only a short time unless the engine is running or sore power or generator is recharging the batteries continuously. For most situations, it is better to leave DC OFF and let AUTO handle the cooling mode.

If you have to shut off the LP for some reason, e.g. in a tunnel, you can use DC ON mode while driving to keep the fridge cooling. Just don't forget to turn it back off when you stop and turn off the engine.