Community Forums

DaveBunker · 03-28-2018, 08:29 PM

Does the gas/ac Norcold refrigerator need to be almost be perfectly level before it will come on? Funny thing I got home from the coast, while there everything worked great. Got home,backed down my 6% grade driveway parking spot, went in to change from LP to AC and the mode/on and off panel is dead. Checked all obvious breakers and can’t figure it out. Then, that’s when I wondered if being level makes a difference.

jacwjames · 03-28-2018, 08:45 PM

What is the grade of your parking spot??

Did you check the black box installed during the recall, assuming it was done.

My Norcold crapped out last month, went out and checked and the black box red light was on. Reset it with a magnet but it tripped 2 more times within a day. Gave up, the Norcold has gone to the very hot place (where is should be).

Bought a Samsung RF18 but haven't installed it yet.

Old-Biscuit · 03-28-2018, 08:54 PM

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DaveBunker · 03-28-2018, 09:02 PM

Jim, I estimate the grade is at least 6% maybe more. I pulled the outside cover just to see if I could figure out anything. There is a little black box placed on one f the tubes with a on/off, reset and another button. It has digital number read out. It was reading 24 and 20m later down to 16. Not sure what it is. You have to understand....I just took delivery of this coach on March 6th. I'm still figuring out systems and getting use to it. It's so much different and better than my 2014 Fleetwood Storm gasser. So, I run into questions everyday.

jacwjames · 03-28-2018, 09:09 PM

I would be hesitant of parking on a 6% grade and trying to use the refrigerator, seems awfully steep and is right at what Norcolds recommends.

Old-Biscuit · 03-28-2018, 09:21 PM

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DaveBunker · 03-28-2018, 09:22 PM

Understand Jim. What your saying is Norcold wants you to be as level as possible. Ill pull up into my driveway tomorrow and see if that makes a difference.

tinstar 1114 · 03-28-2018, 10:34 PM

I wouldn't let it run on that grade. It may kill it if it runs overnight. The ammonia can't flow through the tubes and it can crystallize.

barmcd · 03-29-2018, 06:34 AM

My rule of thumb has been if its comfortable to walk the floor, it's level enough for the fridge to work. If I could really feel the tilt, then I'd level the RV. I was more conservative with the Norcold 1200 than I had been with my other RV fridges which were smaller Dometic units.

kgchampagne · 03-29-2018, 06:49 AM

The small black controller with a digital readout sounds like an ARP controller to me. It is an aftermarket (and fantastic) product that is designed to prevent an overheating of your absorption refrigerator system. So if you were on a 6% grade for any length of time, perhaps you have an ARP that shut your system down as designed.

Google ARP controller, and see if that is what you have. You can download the manual or call them if that is in fact what you have.

oldguy70 · 03-29-2018, 08:33 AM

At 6% grade I don't think the fridge will work

TANDD · 03-29-2018, 09:11 AM

It doers sound like an ARP unit. Mine will sometimes trip when driviving passes/hills especially in hot weather; that is what it is supposed to do, long before damage to fridge. I just turn it off and back on and away the fridge goes, all happy. A great accessary to absorption fridge. TB

DaveBunker · 03-29-2018, 10:07 AM

Yes to everybody, it is a ARP unit. While backing down my driveway (15m) it must have tripped doing its job. I will bring the coach up to level and restart the fridge. Hope all will work as designed. Thanks to all of you for your input.

Dave