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Gas Absorption Refrigerators FAQ

What is the warranty for my refrigerator??

Please refer to the warranty information to determine the conditions and length of the warranty period.

What maintenance should be performed on my refrigerator and how often??

Your refrigerator will give you years of trouble-free service if you do the following simple checks every three to six months. Refer to the operator’s guide provided with your refrigerator for more details:

Care Checklist:

  • Keep the food compartment and the freezer clean. See “Defrosting and Cleaning.”
  • Defrost the refrigerator as necessary. See “Defrosting and Cleaning.”
  • Make sure the door seals correctly. See “Door Sealing.”
  • Be aware of any cooling changes that are not because of weather, loading, or gas control changes. If changes occur, contact your dealer or service center.
  • Make sure the gas supply is LP gas only and not butane or a butane mixture.
  • When in LP gas operation, examine the appearance of the flame. See “Gas Flame Appearance.”
  • Make sure the air flow in the lower intake vent, through the refrigerator coils and condenser, and out the upper exhaust vent is not blocked or decreased.
  • Make sure the area behind the refrigerator is clear. Do not use the area behind the refrigerator for storage of any combustible materials, especially gasoline and other flammable vapors and liquids.
How level must the refrigerator be??

If you have a gas absorption refrigerator, normal leveling of the vehicle is sufficient. The refrigerator is made to operate within 3 degrees off level side-to-side and 6 degrees off level front-to-back (looking at the front of the refrigerator).

Does the refrigerator perform better on gas or electric??

The refrigerator is designed to operate efficiently on both gas and AC electric. The AC electric is dependent upon the AC input voltage to the refrigerator. Be sure that the input voltage is between 108 volts AC and 132 volts AC. The efficiency of the refrigerator while operating in the gas mode is dependent upon the correct burner flame. The burner flame requires correct input gas supply pressure, air input, and burner and burner orifice cleanliness. Refer to the refrigerator’s operators guide, “Refrigerator Maintenance and Care List.”

My refrigerator cools well on AC but not on LP Gas. Why??

Most cases the decrease in LP performance is caused by a dirty burner. Burners must be properly maintained as outlined in your owner’s manual. Service should be performed by a service center.

How soon can I load my refrigerator with food once I start it up??

On initial start-up, allow the refrigerator to cool for 8-12 hours on the coldest temperature setting before loading it with food. Warm foods, high ambient temperatures, and frequent door openings will increase the cooldown time. Do not cover the shelves with plastic, paper, etc. If the unit does not start to cool after two hours, contact your dealer or a Norcold authorized service center.

Can I wash the crispers in a dishwasher??

No, the crispers are not dishwasher safe.

How do I remove the wire shelves inside the cabinet??

The refrigerator shelves are secured with either clips or shelf retainer strips. Refer to your refrigerator’s operator’s guide, provided with the refrigerator, for removal procedures.

How do I replace the interior light bulb??

For current models:
Shut down the refrigerator – touch and hold the ON/ OFF button two seconds and release and unplug wire harness connector.
To remove the interior light remove the two screws, take out the old light and place the new one in its place.

For older models:
Remove the DC power supply wires from the power board at the rear of the refrigerator. Remove the cover by pulling it toward the front of the refrigerator. Remove the light bulb from the holder. Install the replacement bulb. Install the cover and then connect the DC power supply wires to the power board at the rear of the refrigerator. Note: Use only a GE#214-2 bulb as the replacement bulb. This is available at most retail automotive parts centers.

What is causing the door alarm to continue to sound off??

The unit will continue to operate, but if the fresh food compartment door is open and the interior light remains on for two minutes then an audible alarm sounds, a “dr” code appears in the center display, the interior light automatically turns off. Close the door to silence the alarm. If the alarm continues to go off while the unit is in transit and the door has been shut then the door may need adjustment and will need to be taken to a service center.

Why is the section between the freezer and food compartment warm to the touch??

The unit has heater(s) that prevent moisture from forming on the center divider between the two doors. This heater operates only when the refrigerator is ON.

Why does the temp setting flash for ten seconds in the center display whenever the SET TEMP button is pushed or changed??

The flashing indicates that the unit is operating in the backup operating system. Consult the owner’s manual to adjust temp as required and contact a service center to have temp sensor (thermistor) replaced.

How many volts AC are needed to operate my refrigerator on AC mode? How many volts DC are needed??

AC – 108 volts min . – 132 volts max
DC – 10.5 volts min. – 15.4 volts max

Why does it require 12-volts DC to operate when using LP gas??

A 12-volt DC supply voltage is required to maintain the refrigerator’s operating control function and the refrigerator’s interior light.

Why is my refrigerator showing a “no” “co” code in the Center display and an alarm is sounding??

The controls sense that the cooling unit has stopped cooling. The heat source to the cooling unit is turned off and locked out by the controls. Refer to the owner’s manual for instruction to reset the controls.

Why is my refrigerator showing a “n” code in the Center display and an alarm is sounding? (N62, N82 models only)?

The controls sense that the cooling unit has stopped cooling. The heat source to the cooling unit is turned off and locked out by the controls. Refer to the owner’s manual for instruction to reset the controls.

Why does the ON light flash five times every three seconds? (N81X, N61X models only)?

The controls sense that the cooling unit has stopped cooling. The heat source to the cooling unit is turned off and locked out by the controls. Refer to the owner’s manual for instruction to reset the controls.

Why is my refrigerator displaying an “o” code, “oP”, “Li” code, or “ON” light is flashing six times when I turn it on??

The codes indicate the high temp limit switch has tripped or is open. Contact a service center.

Is my refrigerator self-defrosting??

No. Your refrigerator, unlike a home refrigerator, is not equipped with a heater that automatically eliminates the need for defrosting.

Care Checklist:

  • Cover all liquids and moist foods.
  • Let all hot foods cool before storing in the refrigerator.
  • Do not open the door any longer than necessary.
  • Check door seals.
  • Ensure freezer/refrigerator shelves are pushed securely into the freezer/refrigerator cabinets.
Why is frost on the interior cooling fins only on the right side??

It is normal to accumulate frost on the right side of the bank of cooling fins. The coldest parts of the cooling fins are those on the right side of the refrigerator as viewed from the front.

Gas/Electric refrigerators will build frost of varying amounts depending upon the environmental conditions (temperature and humidity), how often the doors are opened, and what is stored in them.

Defrosting is not required until a decline in performance is noted. Refer to your operator’s guide: “Defrosting and Cleaning the Refrigerator Interior.”

Can I defrost my refrigerator using a hair dryer, a heat gun, or boiling water??

Never use these items to defrost your unit. The use of any of these items may permanently damage the liner of the refrigerator. Please refer to owner’s manual for model specific defrosting instructions.

What should I do to increase the speed of defrosting??

Place pans of warm (not hot) water in the refrigerator and freezer.

Can I use bleach to clean the inside of the refrigerator??

Do not use abrasive cleaners, chemicals, or scouring pads because they can damage the interior of the refrigerator. Wash the interior with a mild cleaner or a solution of liquid dish detergent and warm water. Rinse with a solution of baking soda and clean water.

My refrigerator does not currently have an icemaker but I would like to add one. Can I add an icemaker??

If the refrigerator does not have a factory-installed icemaker, one cannot be added at a later time.

At what ambient temps should I stop using my icemaker??

Stop using when temps reach 0 degrees Fahrenheit and store it.

Why does my icemaker overflow??

This is typically caused by a leaking water valve. This is usually caused by improper winterization.

When should I turn my icemaker off??

The ice maker lever arm should be in “Off” position whenever you do not have potable water to the icemaker. Allowing the ice maker to operate dry may damage the mold.

Why doesn’t my icemaker make ice when operating on LP mode??

The icemaker will produce ice as long as there is 108-132 volts AC available to the icemaker. Certain models have independent power sources just for the icemaker while others employ the same power cord as the one that supplies to the power board.

What is the cause of my refrigerator having an ammonia smell??

An ammonia odor detected inside the refrigerator cabinet or at the rear of the refrigerator indicates the cooling unit has developed a leak and requires replacement by your dealer or an authorized Norcold service center.

Remember, you are dealing with a complex appliance that operates on both LP gas and electrical power. Servicing this unit should only be done by a trained technician to avoid potentially dangerous consequences!

Does a fan installed on the back of the refrigerator help performance??

A DC fan may help improve refrigerator performance when the refrigerator is not installed in accordance with Norcold’s installation requirements or when operating the refrigerator in high ambient temperatures (see “Refrigerator Installation Manual”). A DC fan will assist in providing the necessary amount of airflow. Be sure the fan is controlled by a thermostat and begins to operate when the area behind the refrigerator reaches approximately 95 degrees F. The fan should run until the temperature lowers to about 80 degrees F. Consult with your RV dealer for the correct fan and specifications.

Should I add additional fans to a unit that already has factory installed fans for better cooling??

No, additional fans are not needed but we recommend that you contact a service center to verify proper installation.

Should I hear the fans running all the time??

No, fans are controlled by a thermostatic switch and turn on and off automatically.

What effect will high altitude have on my refrigerator when it is running on propane gas??

Altitudes higher than 5500 feet above sea level may cause reduced cooling performance and may cause burner outages. Norcold recommends you operate the unit on AC when altitudes are higher than 5500 feet above sea level.

Can I use the space behind the refrigerator to store items??

No, make sure the area behind the refrigerator is clear. Do not use the area for storage of anything, especially combustible materials like gasoline and other flammable vapors and liquids.

How do I purchase replacement parts??

You may purchase replacement parts through your local RV dealer or authorized Norcold service center.

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