Norcold fridge - Page 2

86Scotty · 07-14-2013, 07:59 PM

Norcold's are ammonia units aren't they? (like most other RV fridges) I don't think there is coolant in them, it's a chemistry project inside using lots of pipes, ammonia, etc. I could be totally wrong about this. If it was a conventional compressor type fridge so many people wouldn't have trouble with it.

**daveb** · 07-14-2013, 09:26 PM

Very possible but the question is are they rechargeable?

86Scotty · 07-14-2013, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveb

Very possible but the question is are they rechargeable?

I have always been told ammonia units are NOT serviceable. The burping technique is the only fix.
Burping technique - unhook and remove fridge. Flip upside down. Wait awhile. Turn back upright. See if it cools.
Believe it or not this often fixes old RV fridges.

**daveb** · 07-15-2013, 08:00 AM

Maybe I'll take it to Jage's house...I'm sure he will soon be an expert in burping

**BroncoHauler** · 07-15-2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveb

Maybe I'll take it to Jage's house...I'm sure he will soon be an expert in burping

Better to have your fridge needing to be burped, rather than your fridge taking a dump.

Herb

Ford_6L_E350 · 07-15-2013, 08:16 AM

I believe Norcold 2-way's (AC/DC) are compressor units (freon) and 3-way's (AC/DC/Propane) are ammonia based.

Mike

86Scotty · 07-15-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

I believe Norcold 2-way's (AC/DC) are compressor units (freon) and 3-way's (AC/DC/Propane) are ammonia based.

Mike

That makes sense. The ammonia ones are all propane (+ ac/dc usually). I'm guessing the older SMB fridges are these. The telltale is usually the outside vent/access.

scatter · 07-15-2013, 05:33 PM

Any fridge that uses propane as the "power" for one of it's options is ammonia based. The AC & DC selections just do the same thing as the propane, but not as efficiently. Fridges with a compressor (99% of those that don't have a propane option) use a freon type of coolant. Burping really doesn't do much with a compressor type. It does with the ammonia ones.

NVHillHiker · 08-11-2013, 02:54 PM

I have a 2006 Ford and the norcold has worked flawlessly right up until last week. The unit usually chilled down to about 40 with no problem and kicking on and off normally. But on a trip last week it ran constantly and would not get below 60. This occured two days out. Outside temp was 74 during the day and down to 50 at night. Elevation was 9500 feet (probably does not matter). I shut it off for a bit hoping to "reset" something, but it did not work. Finally we put a hunk of ice in the freezer shelf and it seemed to help a lot. But here's the confusing part.....a couple of days later it reverted to running like normal,,,,cycled on and off, and chilled down to 40 again. A visit to the norcold website was no help. Although I did learn that this particular unit is not made anymore as norcold was bought by Thetford (thetford.com). Another unit is available that appears to be the same dimensions, but I am not sure of model numbers etc. This is listed on the thetford website. BTW the new models seem to retail for about $700 bucks. I need this thing to be reliable if I have our food in it. Hopefully it can be serviced or something.
I am calling sportsmobile this week and will post anything of use that I might find out from them.

Ford_6L_E350 · 08-11-2013, 04:56 PM

That happened to my Norcold once. Seems that heat can buildup behind the refrig and it kind of stops cooling. Especially if that side of the van is in the sun.

Make sure nothing is restricting air movement into (bottom) and out of (top) of the cabinet.

Mike