Fridge runs almost all the time

[artfuldodger]

We've got a 2017 3720 with a Norcold 2118 fridge and we run it a lot on gas. We had Mac install the ARP protection device on it at Quartzite about 3 yrs ago. The fridge seems to run excessively. It is set on #4 temperature wise. The ARP cooling fans run most of the time too. They are set on the ARP to turn on at 125 and to turn off at 115. Are others out there finding this with the 2118?

[Loneoak]

Check to see if the fins are icing up. If they are, you need to run it on a lower setting.

[artfuldodger]

The fins are clear of ice. The fridge can be set from 1 to 9,; 9 being the coldest. The fridge is usually on the north side when parked because we have solar pointed south on the other side. I think the fridge box is just not well insulated.

[rames14]

We had an issue on our last issue where the center flap did not close completely. Keystone fixed it at rally in 2015. Now, our new 2021 has the same issue. Check to make sure it is closing properly every time. It may be that simple. Hope you can find it. The fix was to add a washer on the bottom left door hinge (Norcold 2118).

[Jk5305a]

That happened to ours as well. Who knew it could be the center flap!

[the social hermits]

We've had all kinds of issues with ours- doors not being level- fixing the center flap with washer. We called Norcold so much they sent us a repair document with some of the different issues and fixes. I've attached it here.

We have been told several places that fridge is just under engineered and we believe it. Condenser isn't big enough for the size.

We are going to have JC Refrigeration put in a new dual compresser unit at rally- can't wait.

[raygreg]

Mine runs about 23 1/2 hours a day.
Perfectly normal according to the dealer service department.

[Montana Man]

Check also the door seals. Ours runs a lot but does cycle.

[Bad Moon]

At least it runs! Obviously not a Dometic.

[DadsHemi]

We’re on Shore power 99% of the time so ours is in electric, we keep the setting at 5 depending on the time of year, as said.. make sure the center flap is fully engaged so it seals. Ours does run a lot but will cycle more in the evening or night. Run time is alway pending exterior and interior temps

[rames14]

I might add, one item to make it more efficient is ARP Fridge Defender. The two fans outside help improve circulation and move hot air out. It also shuts your fridge off when it reaches unsafe temperatures (and turns it back on).

[artfuldodger]

Rames, we have the ARP 3.1 with the two fans. They are set on the 5 setting which has them come on at 125 deg. and off at 115 deg. They do cycle, but are on most of the time too.

[artfuldodger]

Rames thank you!! That flap between the fridge doors did not close because it was catching on the bottom of the fridge compartment. I put a thin flat washer on to the hinge peg on the bottom of the left door and now it closes every time. I bet that has been like that since day one(august 2016). We run on propane roughly 85% of the time. Without that flap closing there was a gap open to the outside about an inch wide. Since the door is about 4 ft long, that leaves a gap of 48 square inches open to the outside. Imagine the propane wasted over 4 winters of being away in the south. To anyone with a Norcold 4 door fridge I strongly advise you to check this sealing flap for proper closure.

[rames14]

We put a 5/16” washer on our bottom peg yesterday. For those looking at theirs and seeing this, here is the repair procedure. On the left door, the hinge is hidden behind a plastic cover. Pull that cover off. There are 3 screws (5/16”, I believe). Remove them. Lift the door off. Put one 5/16” washer on the bottom hinge post. Set the door back on the hinge post. Reinstall the three screws. Check to make sure door works. If 8t does, replace plastic hinge cover. If not, add a second washer. And recheck.

[Loneoak]

Try this: turn the fridge off for a minute, then on again around 9 pm. If you turn it on at a different time of day (like in the morning), it will go through a defrost cycle in the afternoon instead of in the night.

[hemiallen]

Good timing of the post.

Our 2021 fridge has 2 fans above the outside access door, both horizontal in a frame that seems to suck from the door and forces air up the wall behind the fridge, and it looks like another near the top. Not sure if this is a 2022 upgrade, as we also got the Southwire transfer switch, and from Jaboni to Victron for the single solar panel, and they added a Victron smartshunt by the battery also.

I just did the washer under the left door mod, took 3 washers for a total of .045" thickness and it doesn't drag the flapper anymore.

Our fridge has been in the low to mid 90's since we received her, and the fridge runs all the time unless I drop it to setting 5, and the lowest freezer temp has been 5 F and the fridge hovers at 40F. After 1 day rock hard ice cream was soft serve.

Would love to guarantee lower temps, but it might do better in cooler weather.

[Creeker]

Originally Posted by Loneoak

Try this: turn the fridge off for a minute, then on again around 9 pm. If you turn it on at a different time of day (like in the morning), it will go through a defrost cycle in the afternoon instead of in the night.

This is excellent advise. The defrost time on a Dometic 1350 is 60 hrs after power on then every 48hrs there after. The cycle lasts around 2 hrs. Probably not the same for the Norcolds so check your manual or google your model number. Its much better to have this occur at night than in the heat of the day. Playing catch-up in 90+ degrees is near impossible. I turn ours on around 3PM so it will start the defrost cycle at 3AM.

Just a FYI - On our Dometic 1350 unit it requires all power to be disconnected from fridge for a defrost reset to occur. From converter and batteries. Simply turning the unit off at the fridge will not work. It also takes a couple minutes not just a quick off and on.

[artfuldodger]

I have just gone through reading the manual and ARP instructions for our 2118 and the defrost on them happens every 24 hrs and lasts 2 hrs. The ARP 3.1 allows the user to skip defrost by a defrost override. It does this by shutting the fridge off briefly once a day to reset the fridge's 24 hr clock. The fridge then doesn't warm up for 2 hrs every day and then have to struggle to cool it down again.

[hemiallen]

Thanks for the information. I can't fathom any refer shutting down for 2 hours every 24 hours, that doesn't make sense to me. Seems to be a pretty useless feature, defrosting, for those of us that aren't using our rigs longer than a week at a time, or shorter trips.


I do believe the fan system I have seems to run 24-7, but I guess it could shut off if the defrost cycle shuts everything off.

My Refer is a Model 2811X ( 2021-3120RL that I believe has the 2022 upgrades-IE it might be a '22 model), and I just read the english portion of the owners manual. In 2 places it mentions " At regular intervals the temperature control system automatically melts most of the frost from the cooling fins.

I don't see anything else about any defrost cycle, but I have been known to miss reading instructions.....

[artfuldodger]

My fridge is older than yours so perhaps they changed the programming so that defrost doesn't run as often. Perhaps they have added a defrost heater element like my home fridge.