Norcold Refrigerator

brunoboy · 08-07-2016, 02:06 AM

We have a 2014 Redwood 31SL and have had nothing but problems with our Norcold refrigerator. We have a Norcold Model #1210 which is a four door model. We purchased the Redwood new and have gone through 3 cooling units along with numerous high temperature sensors. Just today, our RV guy was here to diagnose the latest issue of the fridge working then blowing the fuse near the sensor. He got to looking up at the upper vent for the fridge; took it apart and come to find out the cutout for the heat to escape is too small for the cooling unit, thus not all of the heat is getting out and the sensor goes out. The cutout is about 8 or 9 inches too narrow for the cooling unit. Our question is, does anyone out there have the same Norcold model we have? The four door fridge was an option and it appears that the venting on the outside was done for a single door unit. If so, are you having or have had the same problem?

mhs4771 · 08-07-2016, 02:56 AM

We had the same Norcold in our '12 36RL and no problems in three years of ownership. Now we were never able to keep icecream really firm, if you adjusted the temp up high enough to firm up icecream, you ended up freezing things in the fridge section.
And yes, they are using the same vents as would be used with the smaller fridge. And in regard to the upper vent, part of that is supposed to be blocked to force the air to travel over the coils at the top.
It seems those units either work or give constant problem. PiperGuy just finished up replacing his NOcold with a Samsung Residential unit because of the headaches he had.

Kaidocl · 08-08-2016, 01:51 AM

Would replacing my 1210 for a residential fix this issue ? I'm having the exact same issues with freezing stuff. I can put a water bottle in freezer for a week with out freezing but if already frozen will stay that way.

Shane Wood · 08-08-2016, 03:26 AM

Yes a residential with a 2000 watt invertor will solve your problem. You will need 2 batteries to run it and 3 would be better

mhs4771 · 08-09-2016, 07:49 PM

And four are even better!

BradPAjax · 08-14-2016, 02:11 AM

Our Norcold has been a dog since we bought our coach. Went to National RV Refrigeration right after the Rally and got the entire cooling unit replaced. Leon completely redid the baffles with metal instead of wood and installed a ball bearing squirrel cage fan on the top vent cover to pull the heat away from the unit. Used to run at 9 with almost no ice and very marginal cooling in the lower section. We are now freezing lettuce with frig set at 6! Really happy now...

ET156 · 08-14-2016, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradPAjax

Our Norcold has been a dog since we bought our coach. Went to National RV Refrigeration right after the Rally and got the entire cooling unit replaced. Leon completely redid the baffles with metal instead of wood and installed a ball bearing squirrel cage fan on the top vent cover to pull the heat away from the unit. Used to run at 9 with almost no ice and very marginal cooling in the lower section. We are now freezing lettuce with frig set at 6! Really happy now...

I have a Norcold 4 dr. and have it set on 4 every think seems to be working ok

Rick and Mindy · 08-14-2016, 02:55 AM

I just read in this months Trailer Life Magazine an advertisement from Dometic and Camping World that Dometic is now offering an RV fridge with a compressor. I went to Dometic website and Camping World website and couldn't find anything about it. It's about time the RV manufacturers start to produce what the buyers are looking for. If not, they will be out of business.

r time soon · 08-14-2016, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick and Mindy

I just read in this months Trailer Life Magazine an advertisement from Dometic and Camping World that Dometic is now offering an RV fridge with a compressor. I went to Dometic website and Camping World website and couldn't find anything about it. It's about time the RV manufacturers start to produce what the buyers are looking for. If not, they will be out of business.

Looked at Dometic's website , specifically their 2016 catalog, and yes they have a compressor refrigerator. Not sure I want to downsize to a 6 or 8 cu ft. We like our 12 cu ft with ice maker. Same page shows a 'super hybrid' type of absorption refer that has a sliding bottom freezer drawer. This one is a 9 cu ft. When our Norcold dies, I am sure we will replace it with a residential like Vaughan did

http://www.dometic.com/QBankFiles3/E...alog_32016.pdf

page 16 of their catalog, or page 17 of the .pdf

Chris

Rick and Mindy · 08-14-2016, 03:31 PM

What I thought of when I saw the ad was the Crossroads Rushmore that was being built with 2 RV refrigerators next to each other. I thought that was an incredible idea, especially for those not fulltiming. If you were just doing a weekend camp, 1 fridge would work great and even if fulltiming, in the event of one fridge not working right you could have a spare. I saw the size of the new Dometic compressor fridge and wondered if 2 would work side by side in the same area as the 12 cf Norcold. I'm sure the price would be huge, much more than just converting to a residential, but I was just curious.

r time soon · 08-14-2016, 04:18 PM

Also know that a few Keystone Outback TT floor plans ( 326 RL for one ) have 2 separate 8 cu ft refers. 1 LH and 1 RH. Like you said, if just a few people for a short weekend use one refer, If longer trip or with more family along use both. Redundancy makes sense but also heavy.

Chris

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