Discovery: Norcold 1200 temp setting

[Lofty591]

Hi all

I have a norcold 1200 in our discovery 39s 2006, and when you press the temp setting button, the display doesn't change or do anything. The button does work, because I can get it into diagnostic mode, but it won't bring up the current setting.

Coupled with that, it won't cool any more. I have it on diag page 3, and the fin temp is say at room temp.

Running on AC. Any clues?

P

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by Lofty591

Hi all



I have a norcold 1200 in our discovery 39s 2006, and when you press the temp setting button, the display doesn't change or do anything. The button does work, because I can get it into diagnostic mode, but it won't bring up the current setting.



Coupled with that, it won't cool any more. I have it on diag page 3, and the fin temp is say at room temp.



Running on AC. Any clues?



P

Probably time for a residential fridge.

[Cajun2Stepp]

Mine had 2 settings, Normal and Defrost

Now have a Samsung, along with another motor home.

[Old-Biscuit]

Sounds like upper display has failed

AS for lack of cooling
With that bad upper display is the AC heater elements even getting energized?
Feel the area on stack where the 2 elements are installed...both have to work in order to cool
S/B HOT

With bad upper display had to tell if cooling unit/controls work
To Test
Unplug the element leads from lower circuit board
plug them leads directly into a working 120VAC outlet
This energizes the elements continuously -----bypasses all controls
Run for 12 hrs them check freezer/food compartment temps
BOTH COLD.........cooling unit is working
Freezer cold/food not..blockage

Still have the issue with upper display
No sense in spending $$ on new upper display until you know cooling unit works

[bneiva]

Originally Posted by Cajun2Stepp

Mine had 2 settings, Normal and Defrost

Now have a Samsung, along with another motor home.

DANG! Bo, your words, along with these side-by-side pictures make one heck of a lot more impact then any warning I have ever seen!

After the first recall from Norcold.... I couldn't wait to get that Samsung installed!

I just wish more people can see your post!

Bill
03 American Tradition

[Bonron]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Sounds like upper display has failed

AS for lack of cooling
With that bad upper display is the AC heater elements even getting energized?
Feel the area on stack where the 2 elements are installed...both have to work in order to cool
S/B HOT

With bad upper display had to tell if cooling unit/controls work
To Test
Unplug the element leads from lower circuit board
plug them leads directly into a working 120VAC outlet
This energizes the elements continuously -----bypasses all controls
Run for 12 hrs them check freezer/food compartment temps
BOTH COLD.........cooling unit is working
Freezer cold/food not..blockage

Still have the issue with upper display
No sense in spending $$ on new upper display until you know cooling unit works

You have a very old refer, it works on AC but nothing else. You can replace the mother board, thermister and display board and probably get it working but if it were me, just change it out for a residential and be done with it. Either replace the dometic or add a Samsung, either way it’s gonna cost about the same, $1400+/- as for me, my 1200 was giving me fits after five years so we went to J&R refrigeration in Indiana and had them replace the whole cooling unit. You can also do it your self just sayin..🤓

[VIETVET72]

If you like the size and fit of the Norcold you can get a 12 VDC compressor upgrade put into it, or buy a 12 VDC unit to replace it. The 12 VDC compressor units use a little less electricity than a 120V unit. And they're better if you like to boondock. https://jc-refrigeration.com/product...vac-12-24v-dc/

[mrrebel77]

I have a 2008 discovery 40 x my problem is freezer works fine my refrigerator doesn’t get to about 55 degrees. I was thinking about replacing with new domedic 1200 are they any better built or should I just change to household refrigerator. Could anyone tell how you replaced in and out rv

[jacwjames]

We fought our Norcold 1200 for ~10 years, never did cool great, freezer worked some times. I installed remote temp monitor in both to be able to check and kept freezer blocks to move to fridge when it was acting up. It finally died
Installed a Samsung in 2019, works great, will drop ice all day long no matter what the temperature.

I was able to take the Norcold out the front door by taking it apart. Samsung came in through a window. Removing a window is pretty simple but it does intimidate people.



I was in Wy in July, temps were over 100F, sun beating down on side with refrigerator, Samsung never missed a beat. I would have had to have thrown all the food away with the Norcold.

[mrrebel77]

What model Samsung did you get

[bneiva]

Samsung "RF 18" is the most compatible ( dimensionally )with the Norcold 1200.

Bill

[Cajun2Stepp]

I went with the RF18 as well.
I elected to go through the door with it, but would probably rethink that now.
After what happened to my previous coach, I couldn't wait to get that time bomb out of my motorhome.
It was well worth the trouble!
BTW - there were scorch marks on the wall behind this one too, so it was only a matter of time before another bon fire.
After 2 claims on motor homes (one to flood, the other to fire) State Farm would have probably dropped me.

Edit- I don't know why the picture is sideways, and before you ask, I DID NOT flip my coach over haha!

[brobox]

NoColds did not work well when new. Google Norcold Class Action and you will see 13 years to get settlements from all of the Norcold losses people suffered. I was one of them. Do yourself a favor and do not put any money into the 1200, it will still not cool even on a good day. I was throwing food away on my first trip in 2003 with a NoCold in a new Travel Supreme. It never got better even after all of the recalls and repairs.

[mrrebel77]

So it fits through door