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Norcold not cold enough

Yahoo Message Number: 105147
For the last three days, our Norcold 1210IM in our 2007 Allure 470 has not obtained a temperature below 50 degrees F. I know that it has been in the high 80's around here but it does not matter if on propane or AC and both are working. Tomorrow the wife and I will defrost it and see if that helps. I am looking for suggestions on where to look next.

Slopoke

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105148
Hi There. You must be new to these late-model Norcolds in RVs. Here is where I usually pop up, so bear with me.

You will be given lots of fix-it advice by the usual techies, but my advice is to:

Disconnect it from electricity and gas, shield any wiring that lies below the tubing at the back of the fridge, look for yellowish powder around and below the tubes in the back, keep fire extinguishers close inside and outside, get a fire alarm that alerts to change in ions, stay alert for an ammonia-type odor, and place ice in leak-proof containers and put the containers in the Norcold to keep your food safe. Then, go shopping for a residential refrigerator, but do not leave your pets or children in the RV while you are gone.

We wish we had known how dangerous these were before one torched our Country Coach. It had not shown any malfunction and was running on electricity at the time. Your fridge is warning you. And, a new Norcold will not be an improvement as long as the tubing is made in China, which it is.  s/Terry Apple

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105149
Terry has given the best advice. Get rid of the Norcold and get a residential fridge installed in its place. A friend of mine just sent me pics of a motorhome in the RV park where he was in Orlando.....Norcold torched the coach, total loss.

There are any number of residential units that will fit in the same space as your double door Norcold. You will never regret making the change.

Gary

07 Allure 470 Siskiyou Summit

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105150
Fear can be a big motivator to spend a lot of money, but in reality a new condenser unit will likely fix the old Norcold like new. There are enormous numbers of these units out there, working without issue. If anyone wants to worry, why not worry about a tire blowout from a new tire, or a number of other "threats" to our safety and comfort. I have had three MHs in 22 years, all with Norcold or equivalent, and never had an issue until 2 years ago when my 10 year old refrig. displayed the same symptoms as your. Two days and $2400 later we had a new condensation unit installed and it's been running perfect ever since. Your call.

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105151
Jeff, I've been in your camp for years. However, with the coach approaching 10 years old, much of the technology and appliances were showing their age.

Sooner or later I'd have to sell it. I figured some new 'stuff' including the Norcold would help the sale, so why not do the upgrades well before the sale came, so we did and now enjoy them. Besides, many have upgraded to a residential frig and it seems buyers are now expecting that.

Lee (leozbrowski@...) President, CCI

2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105153
Thanks Lee, and good to hear from you. I debated the same thing, and realized that I could buy a brand new coach from several sources that would come with a Norcold, so mine shouldn't be too archaic to a prospective buyer when I sell or trade. Add to that the fact that I have a 32 gal. propane tank that only my 2-burner stove and the refrigerator use, and I just couldn't justify the additional expenses of going to residential. Over the road and dry camping have been easier to enjoy without adding extra batteries, heavier inverter, and whatever else was needed. Safe travels.

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105154
I have to agree with Lee. Our Norcold died last year and we updated to the Samsung all electric frig. It has not kept us from doing anything as far as camping etc... We had put new control boards etc into our Norcold when finally enough was enough. Yes, you can put the new compressor unit in but by the time you do all that it is a push on what the Samsung costs installed.
We have not looked back and the wife loves it and that is more than half the battle.
Choices, that's what keeps us all going no matter what they are.
My 2 cents.

Ken Mikkelson

2005 Inspire 51494

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105155
Well and good, though you don't need more batteries or inverter for the residential frig.

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105156
I also have an Allure 2007 470 42' coach. I have an electric Amana large side by side. Been traveling for years and only experienced one issue, which was easily cured {defrost condensation line in pan} Had Norcold and the likes with nothing but problems. I see stacks of these in the back yards of repair shops. You might consider swapping out. By the way, I repair most of my issues myself and have a lot of knowledge of the CC. My coach is perfect now, however I have rebuilt most of it. I bought it new as the last sale before CC went out of business in 08. They are a great Coach, but require a lot of work in every facet of issues. I dont think they ever drove one for more than a day! Any issue you are welcome to call me.

Brian H Morrow

bhmmorrow@... 949-677-2221

From: "spearson81@... [Country-Coach-Owners]" To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2016 10:52 PM Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Norcold not cold enough

For the last three days, our Norcold 1210IM in our 2007 Allure 470 has not obtained a temperature below 50 degrees F. I know that it has been in the high 80's around here but it does not matter if on propane or AC and both are working. Tomorrow the wife and I will defrost it and see if that helps. I am looking for suggestions on where to look next.

Slopoke

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105160
No ammonia smell? Then check temperature probe on right side interior for obstruction.
Robert McClernon
2000 Intrigue
40 one slide cummins 375

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105165
You could also get a Dometic, they don't catch on fire, mine is 14 years old and still working perfectly. But unless you Boondock, it's pointless and I would go with the residential.
Rich 2002 Magna

Sent from Outlook Mobile

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105170
I suggest you do some research about "Norcold Fires". This reading may cause you to rethink your position.

Mikee

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105172
Can you hear the two circulation fans running inside the coach mounted on the back of the refer. They are DC powered, so check for a blown fuse. You may have debris or varment pollution causing the fans to have failed. ANOTHER POSSIBILITY might be you have lost some of the coolant from a small leak or the cooling coil has separated from the back of the refer. TWI 2004 11731

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105176
While there is a chance of a fire from an absorption fridge, yes all brands. So is there with the furnace and water heater.

When you compare the number of units on the road to the number of units that burned it is a very small percent. Now I understand if YOURS is the one that burns none of the working ones matters to you.

My reason for changing to residential is for more usable space for a given size and better efficiency in coolin. Residential fridges have come a long way since RV'S first started getting fridge instead of icebox.

Bottom line is choose the one you are comfortable with neither is an absolute electric

Ray

-------- Original message --------

From: "Mbaul@... [Country-Coach-Owners]"
Date:03/19/2016 03:52 (GMT-08:00)

To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com
Cc:

Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Norcold not cold enough

I suggest you do some research about "Norcold Fires". This reading may cause you to rethink your position.

Mikee

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105192
Raty,

Maybe you should check about the issues. There are numerous recalls for the issue and they still catch fire. It is usually caused by the electric elements and poor connections. While you say the numbers are few there are class action law suits about this issue.

Mikee

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105199
OK, as the original poster, let me say Thank You for responding to my post. Let me bring you all up to date. My wife defrosted the freezer and frig. After 24 hours it still would not go below 50 degrees. Then I contacted an RV tech that resides in the park. He came over and after checking that I did not have an ammonia smell or any yellow residue determined that I had a blockage in the boiler section. He had me turn off the frig and he hit lightly it with a sledgehammer 5 or 6 times. Then he asked me to wait an hour before I turned back on (no charge for the service call). After 24 hours the frig seems to be working normally. For how long I do not know. But this will give us time figure out what we want to do. The wife is leaning towards replacing the cooling unit because the stainless doors on a residential would look out of place. Her opinion and that is what counts.

Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105200
Great news on the reprieve and time to research and make a decision.

Residential fridges do come in other finishes, just to add to your decision variables.

Ray 
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Re: Norcold not cold enough

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 105201
Based on their dangerous history (fires), I'd get rid of the Norcold. Just my 2 cents.

Larry