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Topic: Norcold flashing error. (Read 2028 times) previous topic - next topic

Norcold flashing error.

First, Happy Holidays to all.  Hoping they were fun, safe and y'all got what you wanted.
I dry camped last light, ran the genny before turning in and when I woke up to take the puppers out,  I noticed the Norcold display was flashing:
Hi Ac
Or
Ac Hi.
Turned off then back on and it's running fine.

 What's the warning mean?
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Norcold flashing error.

Reply #1 –

1) If the AC light is blinking twice, pause, blinking twice, pause.
The unit is seeing AC voltage but it's either too high or too low - Using a voltmeter check the AC voltage at the outlet the refrig plugs into - this generally means it's either under 108 or over 132 Volts AC

2) If the AC light is blinking once, pause, blink, pause.
The unit is seeing no AC power at all. On the back of the refrig remove the cover to the control board. Inside you'll find a small glass fuse, should be 5AMP rated - check it. *Unplug the AC line before removing the control board cover - even if the fuse is blown there will be AC voltage present on the fuse holder..
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Norcold flashing error.

Reply #2 –
Noting the dry camping comment - are you trying to run the fridge off the inverter rather than LP?  AC would seem to indicate the fridge was in 120V operation.

An RV fridge will suck down a standard-capacity battery bank pretty fast if trying to run off the inverter.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Norcold flashing error.

Reply #3 –
Further info:
Unit was in "auto" mode.  It selects how to run.
Was charging batteries before shutting down gen set and turning in.
Display was flashing
  AC
  HI
  AC
  HI
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Norcold flashing error.

Reply #4 –
Refrigerator 120 VAC outlet should NOT be on inverter when dry camping. 

Yes, I have seen where some have wires an inverter powered outlet for the refrigerator so that they can run the refrigerator on inverter power when driving, but definitely not recommended for dry camping.

Did you check voltage at any of your electrical outlets in the coach to verify correct voltage from the generator?
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Norcold flashing error.

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Noting the dry camping comment - are you trying to run the fridge off the inverter rather than LP?  AC would seem to indicate the fridge was in 120V operation.

An RV fridge will suck down a standard-capacity battery bank pretty fast if trying to run off the inverter.
I was under the impression most rv refers run off only propane and 120v.  Never seen a rv refrig fact wired thru th inverter.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Norcold flashing error.

Reply #6 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Did you check voltage at any of your electrical outlets in the coach to verify correct voltage from the generator?

Not at outlets, but power watch meter says 120V.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Norcold flashing error.

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Moby –
Further info:
Unit was in "auto" mode.  It selects how to run.
Was charging batteries before shutting down gen set and turning in.

OK, so with gen running it would be on AC.  Once gen was shut off it should detect no 120Vac and switch to LP mode.  It sounds like it didn't auto switch over.

Unless of course you had it plugged into an outlet that was powered by the inverter and had the inverter on, then it wouldn't switch over. 

Quote from: Jack Lewis –
I was under the impression most rv refers run off only propane and 120v.  Never seen a rv refrig fact wired thru th inverter.

Behind many fridges in a FT (not sure about Moby's) there are 2 outlets.  One is shore power only, 1 is run off the inverter.  Typically the inverter-powered one is for an ice maker.  So technically you can run an rv fridge off the inverter, but given its power draw, you really shouldn't except in an emergency.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Norcold flashing error.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Michelle –
OK, so with gen running it would be on AC.  Once gen was shut off it should detect no 120Vac and switch to LP mode.  It sounds like it didn't auto switch over.

Unless of course you had it plugged into an outlet that was powered by the inverter and had the inverter on, then it wouldn't switch over. 

Behind many fridges in a FT (not sure about Moby's) there are 2 outlets.  One is shore power only, 1 is run off the inverter.  Typically the inverter-powered one is for an ice maker.  So technically you can run an rv fridge off the inverter, but given its power draw, you really shouldn't except in an emergency.

Thank you Michelle for unlocking another mystery for me.  Yes it could have easily been mis plugged into the inverter plug.

About a year ago when installing a new residential refrigerator I ran a new duplex plug and 120V wire from there to my inverter area where I was going to install a separate low power inverter for the new refrigerator.  Oh was I surprised finding this plug you mentioned, already wired to my current and efficient Xantrex SW2000 inverter.  The new low power inverter has been unnecessary to install.

Thank you again, I should have known better, to question, knowing and having previously followed your guidance.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan
 

Re: Norcold flashing error.

Reply #9 –
This may not have anything to do with this particular refrigerator problem but the dual 110 outlet behind the refrigerator in my 1993 U225 has one 110v outlet powered by one circuit and the other outlet is powered by another circuit. I discovered this when I disconnected one of my 110v circuits at the service box and hooked it up to a 750 watt inverter. (This coach had no inverter originally)
Regardless, if a refrigerator is set to auto, it should switch to lp automatically when no AC is available. If it doesn't, I would suspect a problem with the lp burner or the control board. As long as Moby got the thing going by "rebooting it" I wouldn't worry about it.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird