Refrigerator Question/Problem!

[PackerFan]

Our freezer is not keep things cold enough. I picked up 3 thermometers (One for each freezer compartment & 1 for frig.) If I set the temp setting cold enough to keep things frozen in the freezer then things start freezing in the frig.

I tried adjusting the thermistor down a little to compensate and it gets the frig temperature just right but then everything in the freezer is soft. I also added one of those small fans inside the frig to help move the air up and around.

Seems I am just chasing my tail or should I say the Temperature curve. Is there a way to adjust the temperature in the frig separately from the freezer? Any tips or thoughts anyone might have to find the right balance or procedure would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Update: Sorry, Should have added type of frig: Norcold 1210, 4 door model. Also checked the vents in back and all is clear

[jlb27537]

Scott, The temp is sensed on the fins in the frig. The temp difference between the 2 freezer compartments is normal. The frig being over cold makes me think of a cooling unit issue.

Are the fans working??

Have you verified good air flow over the back coil, removed both upper and lower grills, no bird nests, etc.

I have included a couple of links. Not knowing the brand or model you can pick the correct one.

Bryant RV, go to the service manual section and pick yours.
http://bryantrv.com/

RV Cooling Warehouse, might give them a call and get their thoughts.
http://rvcoolingunit.com/

I have used both in the past with excellent results.

If I were to guess, if the fans are working, I would bet on a cooling unit failing.

Jim

[Larry-P]

No, you cannot adjust the frezzer from the frig.

I have been experiencing some what the same issue for the past year. Next week they'll be replacing the cooling unit of our frig. We have a Norcold 1210 frig.

Seems that crud begins floating around in the tubes & begins to block the flow of chemicals & causes the problem. You can pound on the outside tubes/tank or drive around & it may unclog. But I just cannot live with the uncertainty of the unit working or not.

[mhs4771]

Our Norcold operates the same, adjust so it doesn't freeze eggs and the freezer will not keep ice cream hard, it will make ice cubes and freeze things, but not good for ice cream. Our solution: Trading the unit for a new one with a Residential Fridge and Induction Cook Top, kind of expensive fix but what the hey.

[Rondo]

Scott-- At one time there was a recall on Norcold 1210's but that was back on units that were made from 2009-2011 but you might want to check and see if it may apply to you even though you have a 2013 unit. I had some thing to do with the High Temp Sensor in the unit.

If you are in a "warmer" winter climate, like Florida or down South somewhere, you might need to install an additional fan to keep the air flowing over the cooling tubes in the back of the refrig to get the heat away from them. There have been numerous posts on the installation of such fans. See if you can find them by going to the Search engine at the top of the page and type in Norcold cooling problem or something similar and see what you come up with.

I would call Norcold at 800-767-9101 and talk to one of their service techs or engineers and see what they can do for you. They normally will work with you and help out as much as they can. Let us know what you find out!

[PackerFan]

Rondo: Thanks for the phone number, I will try calling them and see what they suggest. Will post their advice.

[DAR]

We Recently had to replace our cooling unit, there was a blockage in the tubes right at the bend, mobile tech said that Norcold updated the cooling units a couple of years ago. Now in our 1210 the Fridge and freezer both kept getting warmer till we emptied the freezer and used it as a fridge. I did the diagnostics using the Norcold Service Manual (coutesy of MOC). Then contacted the Mobile Tech with my findings and he confirmed the cooling unit as suspect ordered the new one andonce it was installed works better than since it was new. Not sure if any of this will help you just my recent experience.

[2Wanderers]

I don't know how cold it is where you are but when I came down to Arizona in December I loaded up my refrigerator and freezer. It was in the 50s when I loaded it and I had no problems. By the time I left home it was in the 20s and things began to thaw in the freezer!!! Had to throw out the ice cream. Things didn't get cold again until I was in lower New Mexico and the temperatures were back in the 50s. Found out since then when the temperature is below freezing, run it on propane as electric will not get the coils hot enough to cool/freeze the interior. Live and learn. Will get it right next year.

[DQDick]

In addition to the above advice, only put ice cream in the left side of the freezer. The right side of the freezer is warmer. Also, low fat ice cream will not freeze as hard as real ice cream without having a really low freezer temperature. That's why most soft serve is low fat.

[PackerFan]

2Wanderers: Never heard of running unit on gas if outside temp. below freezing. Where did you learn that trick?

DQDick: Is the left side of the freezer closer to the cooling coils? The thermometers I have in each side usually read about the same.

[Rondo]

We were advised at the past Fall Rally's by Norcold and Dometic to put any ice cream on the left side as DQ stated. They both said the left side, of the freezer, does get colder than the right. I had problems with ice cream while at the Fall Rally last year and found out it was low fat as Dick stated. I took care of that problem by going to Dairy Queen which was a short distance from the fair grounds several times a week. Got my fill and the gals behind the counter got to know me by name!

[JandC]

Scott, my Nevercold 1210 was doing about the same thing a few months ago. I posted on it but I never really had any repairs completed. I would see the temps in my freezer at 7-10 degrees in the evening and then in the morning it could be 22-24 degrees. There were some days it took 24 hours for a couple trays of ice cubes to freeze.

I tried turning it up to 8 and it didn't make any difference. Then I just left it on 5 and when I noticed the temp had went up past 20 degrees in the freezer I would turn the frig off, wait about a minute, and turn it back on. The freezer would start cooling back down again. It seemed like after a couple days or so I would be doing the same thing again.

I have no idea why, but it has been freezing good and I have not had to adjust or turn it off and on for about 3 months now.

[PackerFan]

Thanks Joe. This frig is driving me crazy. It works great for a few days and then starts acting up again. Our last Montana had the same frig and never gave us a problem. I'll figure it out sooner or later. (I Hope!!!)

[MIKENLINDA]

We have a 2011 3455SA and have had recurring trouble with the fridge not staying cold enough when the outside temps are over 90. We installed the Amish cooling unit a couple of years ago and thought that would be the solution but we are currently staying where the outside temps are near 90 and the fridge is up to 60. The freezer seems to be holding OK, so I don't know what else I can do. Any suggestions?

[DAR]

My Service guy would not install an Amish Cooling unit said he had to many problems with them. It might be prudent to have checked hopefully all will be good.

[winter texan]

Guys, I have a dometic RM 1350 SLM in my 2015 Montana. Having the same problem. Work a few days to a month. I'm south of Tampa and temps have been 80+ for the past month. With all that said I called Dometic n got the name of a mobile authorized repair. Checked out n concluded it's the cooling unit. Dometic sent a new which wasn't for my fridge. Another unit due in today

[jimcol]

quote:Originally posted by DAR

My Service guy would not install an Amish Cooling unit said he had to many problems with them. It might be prudent to have checked hopefully all will be good.

I replaced my oem with the Amish cooling unit. The thin walled OEM unit burned through at the boiler resulting in an ammonia leak. Only difference is the Amish cooling unit has thicker wall tubing. Just curious what your service guy said the problems were he was experiencing with the Amish unit. Jim

[DAR]

I dont recall exactly what his concerns where. I believe he was having to replace to many under warranty which does not look good on him. He told us the Norcold unit had been updated and I could see the difference in the way the tube is bent on the new one it is more of a rounded bend. The Norcold unit is a few hundred more but I felt it was worth the extra.
I could also see in the old unit where the clog was and how the heat had damaged the tube. If i had continued to try to use it I think it could have very easily burned through the tube in time.

[jlb27537]

I have bought from these folks before. Their stuff works.

http://rvcoolingunit.com/Default.aspx

Jim

[jimcol]

That is where I bought mine. They are the Amish unit. Jim

quote:Originally posted by jlb27537

I have bought from these folks before. Their stuff works.

http://rvcoolingunit.com/Default.aspx

Jim