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Topic: Norcold Basement Freezer (Read 447 times) previous topic - next topic

Norcold Basement Freezer

Can anyone please explain the power selection for the Norcold basement refrigerator/freezer in the Grand Villa basement, e.g., will it operate on 12vdc with the coach not on shore power? Does the battery master (salesman) switch control its circuit?

I'm wondering whether or not I can turn the freezer on the day before departure, and if doing so would drain the house batts. Also, does it require the inverter be on?

Thanks in advance.
1989 Foretravel U300 Grand Villa
Build #3410

Re: Norcold Basement Freezer

Reply #1 –
If it is operating on 12 volts then the inverter doesn't need to be on and yes it will be running on the house batteries. They do not pull much current. I don't know if turning off the salesman switch will turn off the power to the Norcold
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Norcold Basement Freezer

Reply #2 –
Quote from: red tractor –
If it is operating on 12 volts then the inverter doesn't need to be on and yes it will be running on the house batteries. They do not pull much current. I don't know if turning off the salesman switch will turn off the power to the Norcold
I was able to test the Norcold unit, and it is wired directly to the house battery bank—independent of the "salesman" switch. I will cautiously run the freezer tomorrow and monitor the voltage to see if I can run it overnight prior to departure. Thanks again for the information!
1989 Foretravel U300 Grand Villa
Build #3410

Re: Norcold Basement Freezer

Reply #3 –
It will not drain the batteries enough to worry about unless you have weak ones. Mine is set at 38 degrees and will run no problem. It is not the house batteries that start your engine and while running it will quickly make up the difference.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Norcold Basement Freezer

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Twig –
It will not drain the batteries enough to worry about unless you have weak ones. Mine is set at 38 degrees and will run no problem. It is not the house batteries that start your engine and while running it will quickly make up the difference.
Thanks!
1989 Foretravel U300 Grand Villa
Build #3410

Re: Norcold Basement Freezer

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Twig –
38 is beer temperature, btw. I hope that's what you were considering.
I agree! Actually, I need the deep freeze for this trip, so will be taking it down as low as it will go.
1989 Foretravel U300 Grand Villa
Build #3410

Re: Norcold Basement Freezer

Reply #7 –
I kept the basement chest fridge/freezer from my previous coach and have it mounted on a sliding tray on the big full basement pull out tray. I still need to wire it, good to know how the factory had it wired.

Curious does anyone know if the 120v side is on the invertor or shore/Genny only? There is an outlet in the wet bay and was thinking of tying into that circuit. Have not tested it out yet.

Re: Norcold Basement Freezer

Reply #8 –
nbluesky  Should that outlet not be wired the way you want:  On my 1997 U295 40', behind the refrigerator are both an inverter powered ac outlet and a shore power ac outlet, and yes, pretty easy to test and identify.  Also it is pretty easy to do a run across to where it is needed from the back of the factory refrigerator. 

The original wiring for the rv refrigerator was set up so you ran the shore power ac outlet, to run the gas/electric refrigerator heating element, on 110 electricity with the gas powered  mode running from the 12V system.

I am not sure if my current 110V plug in the baggage bay on the passenger side or wet bay ac outlet on the drivers side runs off of the inverter to get 110V or shore power. As you say, needs to be tested, as any previous owner could have re wired the plugs to meet their needs.
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 Basement Freezer

Reply #9 –
The receptacles on the passengers side in my coach run off the inverter. 
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport