Norcold Electric Refrigerator Owner's Manual
Safety Instructions
- The storage of flammable materials behind or around the refrigerator creates a fire hazard. Do not use the area behind the refrigerator to store anything, especially flammable materials (gasoline, cleaning supplies, etc.). This is especially important when converting from a gas absorption refrigerator.
- Do not store any explosive substance, such as aerosol cans with flammable propellant, in this refrigerator.
- A circuit overload can result in an electrical fire if the wires and/or fuses are not the correct size. Use only the wire and fuse sizes as written in the "Installation Manual".
- Never open or damage the refrigerator circuit of the cooling system at the back or the inside of your appliance. The cooling system is pressurized and contains flammable substances.
- Component parts shall be replaced with like components and that servicing shall be done by factory authorized service personnel, so as to minimize the risk of possible ignition due to incorrect parts or improper service.
- Risk of fire and explosion with flammable refrigerant R600a.
- Keep Ventilation openings, in the appliance or in the built-in structure, clear of obstruction.
- Do not use mechanical devices or other means to accelerate the defrosting process, other than those recommended by the manufacturer.
- Do not use electrical appliances inside the food storage compartments of the appliance, unless they are of the type recommend by the manufacturer.
- Handling, moving and use of the refrigerator or freezer to avoid either damaging the refrigerant tubing, or increasing the risk of a leak.
- Risk of child entrapment. Before you throw away your old refrigerator or freezer: Take off the doors and leave the shelves in place so that the children may not easily climb inside.
- Incorrect installation, adjustment, change to, or maintenance of this refrigerator can cause personal injury, property damage, or both. Have service and maintenance work done by your dealer or by an authorized Norcold Service Center.
- Disconnect the DC power source before doing any maintenance work on the refrigerator. All service work on this refrigerator must be done by a qualified service technician.
- Do not bypass or change the refrigerator's electrical components or features.
- Do not spray liquids near electrical outlets, connections, or the refrigerator components. Many liquids are electrically conductive and can cause a shock hazard, electrical shorts, and in some cases fire.
- The rear of the refrigerator has sharp edges and corners. To prevent cuts or abrasions when working on the refrigerator, be careful and wear cut resistant gloves.
- This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience or knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
- Build-up of dust on the condenser will reduce the performance of the appliance and increase the risk of overheating of the cooling system. Have the condenser and cooling fan be cleaned by qualified service personal if you suspect poor performance.
- Risk of Fire or explosion due to flammable refrigerant used. Follow handling instructions carefully in compliance with U.S Government Regulations.
About Your Refrigerator
Usage: This refrigerator is made for use within a recreational vehicle. As such, it is suitable for camping, but do not expose the refrigerator to rain.
Storage Volume: This refrigerator is made to store fresh and dozen foods and for making ice.
Total capacity N10DC | 9.7 cubic feet | Calculated according to ANSI/AHAM-HRF-1-1988 |
Total capacity N8DC | 8.2 cubic feet | Calculated according to ANSI/AHAM-HRF-1-2016 |
Operation during travel: While the refrigerator should be level when the vehicle is stopped, performance during travel is not usually affected.
Food Compartment: Start up the refrigerator and let it cool for eight hours before loading with food. If the refrigerator does not start to cool down after about two hours, contact dealer or an authorized Norcold Service Center.
For the best cooling performance:
- Let air move freely inside the entire food and freezer compartments.
To decrease the amount of ice that collects on the rear wall of the refrigerator freezer and fresh food.
- Cover all liquids and moist foods.
- Let all hot foods cool before putting them in the refrigerator.
- Do not open the door any longer then necessary.
Freezer compartment: The freezer compartment is made to keep pre-frozen food frozen and not to quick freeze food. Keep pre-frozen foods in the freezer compartment.
Door latch for travel: During travel, the door latch prevents the door from opening. When closing each door, push the door toward the refrigerator until you hear a "click" sound. To open each door, pull the handle awy from the refrigerator.
Interior Light: The interior light is located on the top of the fresh food compartment.
The interior light comes on when the refrigerator is ON and the door is open.
To replace the bulb:
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Use tape to hold the light switch down, which removes power from the light circuit.
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Remove the cover by pulling it toward the front of the refrigerator.
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Unplug wire harness connector.
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Install the replacement light
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Install the cover.
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Remove the tape from the light switch.
Crisper(s): The crisper(s) are located at the bottom of the fresh food compartment and supply a storage area to preserve fruit and vegetable freshness. Make sure that you always push the crispers fully in.
Door bins: You may put the door bins of the freezer and fresh food compartment in a location that best meets your needs. To remove the bins, lift them over the locator and pull them away from the door. To install the bins, push them onto the locator.
Adjustable shelves:
The shelves in the freezer and the fresh food compartment are made so you can remove them or move them. To remove or move each shelf of the fresh food compartment and freezer:
- Remove the screw from the retainer of each shelf at the side of the refrigerator.
- Slide the retainer out of the slot (cabinet shelves only)
- Pull each shelf forward out of the slot.
- Push each shelf fully into the slot that you wish.
- Slide the retainer into the slot (cabinet shelves only)
- Attach the retainer with the screw.
Operation
Controls:
- Touch and release the ON/OFF [1] button to turn the refrigerator on.
- If the indicator light, below the button, glows solid blue, it means the refrigerator is operating correctly.
- Touch the FREEZER COMPARTMENT [5] button to set the compartment temperature setting.
- Using the + [4] or – [2] buttons adjust the temperature setting.
- The mode [3] will display the temperature setting
- 0 is off
- 1 is the warmest setting
- 5 is the coldest setting
- Using the + [4] or – [2] buttons adjust the temperature setting.
- Touch the CABINET COMPARTMENT [6] button to set the compartment temperature setting.
- Using the + [4] or – [2] buttons adjust the temperature setting.
- The mode [3] will display the temperature setting
- 0 is off
- 1 is the warmest setting
- 5 is the coldest setting
- Using the + [4] or – [2] buttons adjust the temperature setting.
- Press any button to return the control to activate mode, the mode [3] will illuminate. The display will return to standby mode after 5 seconds.
- Touch the NIGHT MODE [7] button to set the refrigerator to night mode. The blue indicator will illuminate.
- Night mode will turn off automatically after eight hours or if you push the night mode button again to turn the blue indicator light off.
- This 8 hour night mode setting can be changed by pressing the night mode button for 3 seconds. After the 3 seconds, the default 8 hours will be shown in the display . To change this setting, press the "+" or "-", then press night mode button to make the setting go into effect.
- The new setting is archived in the memory until it is changed.
Shut down:
- To shut down the refrigerator, touch and hold the ON/OFF button [1] for 5 seconds and release.
- Once the refrigerator is turned OFF there is a 5 minute wait cycle before the refrigerator can be turned ON. The refrigerator will not turn on again until the 5 minute wait is up.
DC Operation Guidelines
Refer to the installation Manual for DC Operation requirements and guidelines.
Refrigerator Care Checklist
Your refrigerator will give you years of trouble free service if you do these simple checks every three to six months:
- Keep the food compartment and the freezer clean. See "Cleaning".
- Defrost the refrigerator as necessary. See "Defrosting".
- Make sure the door seals correctly. See "Door Sealing".
- Be aware of any cooling changes that are not because of weather, loading, or thermostat changes. If changes occur, contact your dealer or an authorized Norcold Service Center.
- Make sure the air flow in the lower intake vent, through the refrigerator condenser and coils and out the upper exhaust vent is not blocked or decreased.
Defrosting:
The freezer walls of the refrigerator operate at below freezing temperature and will naturally form frost from humidity, which is always present in the air. The humidity inside the refrigerator increases:
- with higher outside temperature and humidity.
- with the storage of non-sealed fresh foods or warm foods.
- with the amount of time that the door(s) are open.
- with any air leakage into the refrigerator.
It is normal for frost to collect inside the refrigerator. Excess frost decreases the cooling performance of the refrigerator. Defrost the refrigerator as necessary:
- Remove all food from the refrigerator.
- Turn the refrigerator OFF.
- Put dry towels (etc.) inside the refrigerator to help remove the excess water.
- To increase the speed of defrosting, put pans of WARM water in the refrigerator.
- Remove the wet towels (etc.) and dry the interior.
- Start up the refrigerator.
- Allow the refrigerator to cool down.
- Return all food to the refrigerator.
Cleaning:
A good time to clean the refrigerator is just after you defrost it.
Clean the inside of the refrigerator as often as necessary to avoid food odors:
- Remove all food from 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.
- Dry with a clean cloth.
- Put all food back into the refrigerator.
Door sealing:
If the door does not seal correctly, excess frost will collect inside the refrigerator. Make sure the door seals correctly:
- Close the door on a piece of paper that is about the size of a dollar bill.
- Gently pull the paper.
- You should feel a slight drag between the gasket and the cabinet.
- Do this on all four sides of the door.
- If you do not feel a slight drag on the paper, the door is not sealing correctly.
- Have your dealer or an authorized Norcold Service Center correct the seal of the door.
Refrigerator Storage:
Before the refrigerator is stored for an extended (seasonal) period of time:
- Defrost and clean the interior of the refrigerator
- Leave doors open or cracked
Troubleshooting
If the refrigerator does not cool correctly in DC mode:
- Make sure the power switch is not in the OFF position.
- Make sure the compartment control is at the temperature setting that you wish.
- Make sure that the power source to the refrigerator is serviceable.
- Make sure that the fuse or circuit breaker is intact (See "Over current protection system")
- Make sure that the refrigerator is correctly installed and that the built in vents are not blocked.
- Make sure that the ambient temperature is not unusually high (more than 110° F. / 43° C.) (See "Over heating shut-off device operation").
- Make sure that the doors are closed.
- Make sure that the door gaskets are sealing correctly.
- Make sure that the air circulation inside the refrigerator is not decreased by foods or by shelves that are covered with plastic, paper, etc.
- Make sure that hot foods were not placed in the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator.- Make sure that the freezer is defrosted.
After you make these checks, if the refrigerator does not operate, contact your dealer or an authorized Norcold Service Center.
Over heating shut-off device operation:
Operating the refrigerator in high ambient temperatures can over heat the cooling unit and cause premature failure of the compressor (See the label inside the refrigerator).
To protect the cooling unit from over heating, the refrigerator will automatically shut-off when the temperature of the power module is higher than 212° F (100° C). The refrigerator will not restart until the temperature of the power module is lower than 176° F. (80° C).
Low voltage protection system:
The voltage required to start the refrigerator initially is 10.9 volts. In order to prevent completely draining the battery, the refrigerator will automatically shut-off when the DC supply voltage becomes too low. The refrigerator will not restart until the DC supply voltages increases.
These shut-off and restart voltage levels are:
- 12VDC Operation
- Shut-off 10.4 VDC
- Restart 11.8 VDC
Over current protection system:
Your refrigerator has an over current protection system in the electronic circuit to prevent damage to the inverter which may occur due to a reverse polarity connection.
If the refrigerator does not operate and the blue power light does not come on, check the fuse, which is located in-line with the DC connector, and the polarity of the DC power supply. If the refrigerator still does not operate, another problem can exist in the power module. Have an authorized Norcold Service Center check the refrigerator.
Refrigerator Maintenance Checklist
Read and understand the following maintenance sections of this manual.
Have an authorized Norcold Service Center do these annual safety and maintenance checks:
- Make sure the DC voltages are correct (See the "Electrical current necessary" section).
- The wire connections must be clean, tight and free of corrosion. If any of these items are not correct:
- A voltage drop to the refrigerator will occur.
- The voltage drop will decrease the cooling performance of the refrigerator.
- Make sure the area at the rear of the refrigerator is free of anything, especially combustible materials, gasoline, and other flammable vapors and liquids.
Replacement Parts
You may purchase replacement parts through your dealer or an authorized Norcold Service Center.
- The LED lamps can only be replaced by the manufacturer, together with part of the appliance.