Norcold not freezing.

Topic: Norcold not freezing. (Read 989 times) previous topic - next topic

Norcold not freezing.

July 05, 2019, 09:48:21 pm

More travel issues:
Norcold refrig not freezing correctly. Ie: icecream is ice mush instead
There is some condensation on the ceiling of the freezer compartment that is frozen, but water I put in for cubes around 1-2Pm not frozen all the way through at 8pm.
Temps outside were 96+.
Unit set to run on propane.
I have propane.
Cool section feels cool, not cold
Thermostat set on highest setting.
I looked in the access door to check things out.....
1) chimney feels warm to touch but not hot.
2) rotating the observation door open, I can see a small but nice blue flame.
3) turn off the gas at the unit, flame goes out and you can hear the igniter clicking. Turn gas on and it instantly lights.
4) forgot to close rotating flame observation door, went out to do so and noticed chimney noticeably hotter.
5) No noticable blockage of access door grills.

Given the 97 and above temps, am I just being paranoid and the unit is giving all it can?

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #1 – July 05, 2019, 09:53:22 pm

When was the last time you did a "burner area tune-up"?

All it takes to reduce cooling is dirt or rust in the burner tube, a tiny flake in the propane jet, etc.

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #2 – July 05, 2019, 09:57:54 pm

Never.
Just now found out about it.
Will do a search.
You're suggesting the unit should do better than im experiencing given this heat?

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #3 – July 05, 2019, 10:01:35 pm

Face the coach so sun does not beat down on the fridge wall. Add an aux fan to the back of the fridge. Buy an IR thermometer and write down before and after temps.

Pierce

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #4 – July 05, 2019, 10:03:45 pm

Quote from: Moby – July 05, 2019, 09:48:21 pm

More travel issues:
Norcold refrig not freezing correctly. Ie: icecream is ice mush instead
There is some condensation on the ceiling of the freezer compartment that is frozen, but water I put in for cubes around 1-2Pm not frozen all the way through at 8pm.

Given the 97 and above temps, am I just being paranoid and the unit is giving all it can?

Maybe, as in maybe you're being paranoid, and maybe the unit is giving all it can. But as Mr. Wolfe pointed out they do need help from time to time. Taking off the chimney top and vacuuming out the accumulation can help. There is a baffle suspended in the chimney, the chimney looks like a 1" pipe by the way, and pulling that out and cleaning out the accumulated "stuff" helps. Don't forget to put the baffle back in place, it directs the heat from the flame to the bottom of the percolator, excuse me "pump."
These refrigerators need about 300 watts of heat to work and for a propane flame that's not much fire. And no, more heat won't help.

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #5 – July 05, 2019, 10:14:19 pm

Ok.
Searched burner tune up and no instructions, but I'm getting the basic idea:
Clean it up, get rid of dirt and debris.
Is access to the chimney from the side or top vent?
Think I'll put the pop up canopy on that side to see if it helps. No shade nor awnings available there.
Pierce, you talking about a secondary fan inside the freezer or outside to help move heat up and out of the vent?
Over night lows in the 80's so she'll still have to work.

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #6 – July 05, 2019, 11:28:32 pm

Inside. Check this page for installation and sources: rv fridge fan aux kit - Google Search

Pierce

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #7 – July 06, 2019, 06:28:19 am

Also, a fan outside on the back of the unit will help. I had two and one had quit working. I replaced it and added a third. You can get a kit that includes a thermostat. I added a switch so I can go automatic or manual on the outside fans.

I also have the interior fan. That also helps a lot.

Shade on the outside of the coach certainly can't hurt the operation of the fridge.

If you tap on the chimney, a lot of rust will probably fall down on the burner. Vacuum or blow it out. Make sure everything is clean and you have a good flame.

Hope this helps,

Rich

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #8 – July 06, 2019, 07:57:53 am

Quote from: Moby – July 05, 2019, 10:14:19 pm

Ok.

Is access to the chimney from the side or top vent?

Over night lows in the 80's so she'll still have to work.

If you're lucky, access to the chimney can be gained through the top vent. I don't know how well they work, but there is a solar powered fan option for that chimney cover. Otherwise, leave the door shut.

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #9 – July 06, 2019, 09:10:35 am

Moby, do you have access to power that you can determine if your reefer will cool better running on AC?

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #10 – July 06, 2019, 10:32:37 am

My Norcold (model 841) has an automatic defrost cycle to keep ice from building up on the refrigerator fins. This happens roughly every 50 hours and when it's hot the temperature in the lower part can reach 50 or even higher as a result. I can keep the defrost cycle from starting by turning off the refrigerator for 30 seconds every other day. I also keep an indoor outdoor thermometer in the fridge to monitor the temperature without opening the door. If I see the temperature get to the upper 30's or higher I know that the defrost cycle has started and I'll shut it off and turn it back on to abort the defrost cycle.

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #11 – July 06, 2019, 10:47:00 am

Forgot to add that our Norcold works great in hot weather and is the same AC or propane. I did cover the entire compartment with Backerboard and it does act as an insulator besides making the compartment fire resistive.

Pierce

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #12 – July 06, 2019, 10:53:22 am

Quote from: Travelin' Man – July 06, 2019, 09:10:35 am

Moby, do you have access to power that you can determine if your reefer will cool better running on AC?

Yes. Just switched over to AC.

Re: Nor cold not freezing.

Reply #13 – July 06, 2019, 10:57:24 am

Getting 20 degrees in the freezer overnight on propane (who knew refrigerator thermometers would be hard Yup find?)
90 outside right now.
Will see what I can do when the tribe wakes up so i don't disturb them.

Re: Norcold not freezing.

Reply #14 – July 06, 2019, 11:23:32 am

If it were me, this being the original fridge, I'd replace the cooling unit as a fix and as a precaution. I've been happy with mine from JC Refrigeration.

Re: Norcold not freezing.

Reply #15 – July 06, 2019, 11:25:20 am

Give the AC a chance. If it cools properly on AC then you can do what's necessary to get it to cool on LP.

You need good unrestricted airflow through the cooling unit as others have mentioned for both AC and LP operation.

Re: Norcold not freezing.

Reply #16 – July 06, 2019, 12:53:44 pm

Quote from: Moby – July 06, 2019, 10:57:24 am

Getting 20 degrees in the freezer overnight on propane (who knew refrigerator thermometers would be hard Yup find?)
90 outside right now.
Will see what I can do when the tribe wakes up so i don't disturb them.

Shooting the fridge interior with a IR thermometer can be done at night, in the morning, afternoon and you can instantly see how efficient your insulation is along with any difference between AC and propane. IR gun is cheap and also good for brakes, tires, AC output, etc, etc. You can even shoot a baked potato.

For as little as $16, the world is yours: Amazon.com: ir thermometer gun

Pierce

Pierce

Re: Norcold not freezing.

Reply #17 – July 06, 2019, 02:38:06 pm

AND, for $13 you can see the fridge's inside temperature without having to open up the door...
Acurite 00782A2 Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer | eBay

Re: Norcold not freezing.

Reply #18 – July 06, 2019, 02:45:48 pm

Quote from: Dakota Slim – July 06, 2019, 02:38:06 pm

AND, for $13 you can see the fridge's inside temperature without having to open up the door...
Acurite 00782A2 Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer | eBay

But you have to buy two, one for the freezer, one for the fridge. My Indian can ride the buffalo better than anyones'.

For the $10 saved, my wife and I can go to Taco Tuesday!

P

Re: Norcold not freezing.

Reply #19 – July 07, 2019, 01:52:03 am

I use the AcuRite 00986 to monitor both the refrigerator and freezer at the same time. You can also set temp alarms at the limit you set. Reasonably priced and works well. Can be purchased at Amazon.
John M.

Amazon.com: AcuRite 00986 Refrigerator Thermometer with 2 Wireless Temperatur...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Norcold not freezing.

Reply #20 – July 07, 2019, 09:45:35 am

Just one more thought...
If you can run the fridge on AC, can (or are) you running the air conditioning as well?
I know that in extreme heat it is very hard for an absorption refrigerator to stay cold -- especially when you are frequently opening the doors.

Re: Norcold not freezing.

Reply #21 – July 07, 2019, 08:14:32 pm

Quote from: Dakota Slim – July 07, 2019, 09:45:35 am

Just one more thought...
If you can run the fridge on AC, can (or are) you running the air conditioning as well?
I know that in extreme heat it is very hard for an absorption refrigerator to stay cold -- especially when you are frequently opening the doors.

Yup, when it's 90+ outside, y'all can bet the AC is humming.
PS: freezer down to 2°. But I moved.
Guess its time to clean the burner.

Re: Norcold not freezing.

Reply #22 – July 08, 2019, 09:45:51 am

What is the fridge temp when the freezer is at 2 degrees?
A lot of times when the freezer is cold and the fridge isn't
it is indicative of a bad cooling unit. Hope that is not your case.

Re: Norcold not freezing.

Reply #23 – July 08, 2019, 09:54:44 am

Quote from: Moby – July 07, 2019, 08:14:32 pm

Yup, when it's 90+ outside, y'all can bet the AC is humming.
PS: freezer down to 2°. But I moved.
Guess its time to clean the burner.

Moby, did you move so the refrigerator is now on the North (shady) side of the coach? I know that helps a lot. Being level also helps.

Re: Norcold not freezing.

Reply #24 – July 08, 2019, 10:20:24 am

Quote from: Dakota Slim – July 08, 2019, 09:54:44 am

Moby, did you move so the refrigerator is now on the North (shady) side of the coach? I know that helps a lot. Being level also helps.

Actually, I did not move the coach before it started cooling off.
Yesterday was a travel day, so shade was off and on.
Parked with unit where there is heavy shade.
Was and am level.

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