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Old 11-12-2012, 08:53 AM   #1
Allen in MT
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Up in smoke

This imperial motor coach went up in smoke the other night. There was nobody home at the time and it was found to be started by the refrigerator. The tow truck is here today to move it out of the park. Just glad nobody got hurt.
 
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Old 11-12-2012, 09:03 AM   #2
Bigboomer
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WOW, Thank GOD no one got injured or worse yet. Any info on the frig make? Running on propane or electric at the time?
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Old 11-12-2012, 11:13 AM   #3
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A little Eternabond tape and she'll be good as new.
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Old 11-12-2012, 12:20 PM   #4
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I stopped at Colaw Rv Parts&salvage in Carthage,Mo. today. They have dozens in various conditions from fire. Many rv's were wrecked , some just used up. It was interesting to walk thru the lot. Bill
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Old 11-12-2012, 01:04 PM   #5
snfexpress
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We purchased an automatic fire extinguisher and put it in the fridge compartment.
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Old 11-12-2012, 01:10 PM   #6
Allen in MT
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On guy said that the fridge as it tries to ignite like from electric to propane just started clicking untill it got hot and burst into flames. Don't know the make of the fridge.
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Old 11-12-2012, 02:50 PM   #7
Irlpguy
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I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem with their Norcold double fridge. While in Arizona last March I washed down the unit to get rid of the sand that had been blowing around and was all over the unit. A while later I noticed the fridge had quit working. I was able to get a mobile repairman out in short order (great service) and he said the part was on recall and he had a kit to replace the unit. (pictured below)



While it was covered under warranty and did not cost me anything he indicated that he thought water had gotten into the component when it was being washed, causing it to fail.
As you can see the electronic High Temperature Limit switch is exposed and if you look into the lower cover on the back of the fridge you can actually see it. It certainly is exposed to water if you are unaware.
I took an ordinary sandwich bag and put it over the electronic component as it cannot be moved to a higher location due to the length of the wires and the space required. The bag has been on there now for many months and through several washes, when everything else in there gets wet the bag covered component now remains dry.



I don’t know for sure if it was an issue with the component or was actually water related. Has anyone else run across this issue or know of the recall.
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Old 11-12-2012, 03:25 PM   #8
snfexpress
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The main reason that the Norcold refrigerators catch on fire is due to an engineering decision to reduce the thickness of the coils, presumably to increase efficiency, but also to reduce costs. With the thinner tubing, they are more susceptible to leaking. Just my opinion.
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Old 11-12-2012, 06:23 PM   #9
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That's true, on the other hand Dometic has had their own similar issues.
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Old 11-13-2012, 12:28 AM   #10
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by snfexpress

We purchased an automatic fire extinguisher and put it in the fridge compartment.
Michael,

Do you have info on the automatic FE? Certainly sounds like a very good preventative measure regardless of cost.

Les

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Old 11-13-2012, 01:33 AM   #11
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I have bought the fire extinguisher that automatically comes on when a fire starts. But....I can't put it in the lower part of the fridge area because there is absolutely no room for it anywhere. So my next move will be to go up to the top access area and see if I can install it in there. I'm hoping so because this is the most common fire in them!

Dave
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Old 11-13-2012, 10:15 AM   #12
snfexpress
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We bought an SS-30 extinguisher and placed it in the refer compartment above the 120 volt receptacle. It is a tight fit.
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Old 11-14-2012, 11:08 AM   #13
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Hey Tripguy I had the same thing happen but our mobile repair guy didn't have a clue. When I got home 2 or 3 days later I took it to the Norcold dealer and he said it worked fine. I have had no further problems with it. I also have not had the Monty washed since. I don't know if that was the cause or not. Maybe it just dried out and started working again. I will sure try the baggie idea.
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