Norcold 1210 - Problem

[mainer]

Hope this isn't considered repetitive, but thought if I just posted the problem it would have more visibility.

Our Norcold 1210 refrigerator/freezer does not seem to be cooling correctly. We defrosted the freezer and noticed that the ice cream does not get firm (left side of freezer). The meats that are frozen, are staying frozen, but it did not freeze the new package of chopped meat that was put in there (right side of freezer). We normally keep the temp at 6-7 and have raised it to 9. Ice in the ice trays are good (no ice maker).

Has anyone else had this problem? If so, what was the cause?
Also, does anyone know what the normal temps should be for the refrigerator, freezer left/right side and the tempisor?

Thanks for your help,
Marge

[DQDick]

Generally the left side of the freezer is the colder side on ours. Ice cream getting solid is a product of both the degree of cold and also the amount of butterfat in the mix. Less fat usually means softer ice cream at the same temperature. That being said make sure the thermistor is firmly attached to the fines.

[mainer]

Thanks Dick. We have always kept the ice cream on the left side, not on the shelf, but on the bottom and had no problems in the past. Jim will check the thermistor again.

Marge

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

Generally the left side of the freezer is the colder side on ours. Ice cream getting solid is a product of both the degree of cold and also the amount of butterfat in the mix. Less fat usually means softer ice cream at the same temperature. That being said make sure the thermistor is firmly attached to the fines.

[1retired06]

I found on our old unit with the 1210 that the door did not seal tightly, causing loss of temperature. I installed window rubber seals from Lowes on the inside of the doors.

[gjetzen]

Refrigerator/freezer temps should be 34-40 degrees for the refrigerator, 0-25 for the freezer and -10 and below for deep freeze according to my NSF refrigerator thermometer. Also the more "stuff" you have packed in there the harder it will be to maintain an even temp through out the interior of the unit.

[WaltBennett]

I started putting a layer of water bottles in the bottom of the freezer about five RVs ago to even out the temp swings as well as use for cooler ice/water. Stops that left/right difference and I believe helps the whole thing some. Does take up some room though.

[DQDick]

We keep a couple of freezer packs in the right hand side on the bottom. We need them when we take lunches etc. in our small coolers and they also help even out the two sides.

[richfaa]

On ours same model the left side temp set on 4 is 8.1 degrees and the right side is 11.8 degrees. We have not had a problem freezing ice cream. The units did however fail within one year.. Fridge temp 38.7 degrees.

[mainer]

Mike,

What a good idea. When we get ours fixed, that might be a possibility too.

Thanks,
Marge

quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

I found on our old unit with the 1210 that the door did not seal tightly, causing loss of temperature. I installed window rubber seals from Lowes on the inside of the doors.

[mainer]

Thanks for checking out the temps for us. We do not have those temps, we are running warmer.

Marge

quote:Originally posted by gjetzen

Refrigerator/freezer temps should be 34-40 degrees for the refrigerator, 0-25 for the freezer and -10 and below for deep freeze according to my NSF refrigerator thermometer. Also the more "stuff" you have packed in there the harder it will be to maintain an even temp through out the interior of the unit.

[mainer]

Thanks Dick, we too keep freezer packs in there, but they are not keeping the temp down.

Marge

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

We keep a couple of freezer packs in the right hand side on the bottom. We need them when we take lunches etc. in our small coolers and they also help even out the two sides.

[mainer]

Rich,

Thanks for the readings. I don't know if our frig/freezer was ever that cold. It worked but always had a build up of frost/ice on the left side of freezer. We normally keep it at a setting of 6.

Marge

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

On ours same model the left side temp set on 4 is 8.1 degrees and the right side is 11.8 degrees. We have not had a problem freezing ice cream. The units did however fail within one year.. Fridge temp 38.7 degrees.

[mainer]

Thanks Walt & Lorraine for another great idea.

Marge

quote:Originally posted by WaltBennett

I started putting a layer of water bottles in the bottom of the freezer about five RVs ago to even out the temp swings as well as use for cooler ice/water. Stops that left/right difference and I believe helps the whole thing some. Does take up some room though.

[JandC]

We have the same Norcold. I put a thermometer in the freezer about 2 weeks ago when we noticed that the ice cream wasn't freezing and it was taking 2 days for water to freeze in the trays. I have had readings from 5 degrees to 22 degrees in the freezer, this morning the freezer is holding at 14 degrees. A couple days ago it didn't want to go below 22 degrees so I turned it off and then back on and it seemed to start cooling down better.

Where do I check to see if the "thermistor is firmly attached to the fines" as mentioned earlier?

[richfaa]

Just a note.. Our freezer doors leaked really bad. Norcold advised putting a couple of washers on the door to raise it a bit. That helped some and our dealer said they "warmed" the seals for a better fit and that seems to be helping more.

[richfaa]

Which way does the thermistor go to control the coldness. Not in the book and the search function does not work..and I forgot..which way it goes...

[JandC]

I think I found my thermistor. Little clip on long wire that is hooked onto back fins? If that is what it is, mine is attached on second fin from the right, about half way up.

[K0LCB]

Higher number is colder

[richfaa]

[quote]Originally posted by K0LCB

Higher number is colder
[/quote
]
Where should that thermistor be on the cooling fin.. Is up cool and down warmer????

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by JandC

I think I found my thermistor. Little clip on long wire that is hooked onto back fins? If that is what it is, mine is attached on second fin from the right, about half way up.

That's it but I forgot where on the fin it should be Is up colder and down warmer????