Author Topic: Refrigerator intermittently shuts off..  (Read 1827 times)

Alan DeLuccio

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Refrigerator intermittently shuts off..
« on: September 28, 2021, 05:28:50 PM »
Greetings ... I have a different refrigerator problem. My Norcold 1210 refrigerator cools fine & the freezer works well, but the entire unit will randomly shut off. Most of the time it will immediately turn right back on. There has been a couple of instances where I can hear it trying to start up but does not.  I'd have to let it sit for a short period of time before it will turn back on. It does not matter if it is running on AC or propane.  Before our last extended trip  where this issue popped up, I cold hear a fan whining at times, & I'm wondering if it could be the unit's cooling fan(s), but the fact that it properly cools when it is running has me baffled. On our trip a tech replaced the main board, but it did not fix the issue. I'd appreciate having a better idea of what might be the issue before I proceed. Are the internal fan units easily accessible? Would a solar powered fan vent cover work? Thanks!

Bill Lampkin

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Re: Refrigerator intermittently shuts off..
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2021, 06:10:55 PM »
Your fridge uses 12vdc to power the electronics whether on propane or AC. I would check for a loose 12v wire at the rear of the fridge.
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Alan DeLuccio

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Re: Refrigerator intermittently shuts off..
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2021, 10:46:51 PM »
If that were the case ... How come it turns back on when the power button is pressed?

Bill Lampkin

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Re: Refrigerator intermittently shuts off..
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2021, 10:59:18 PM »
They call the panel with the power button the 'eyebrow' panel, maybe it needs to be replaced.
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Bill Lampkin

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Re: Refrigerator intermittently shuts off..
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2021, 12:14:25 AM »
Looks like this guy knows what he is talking about:

https://thenorcoldguy.com/norcold-1200-1210-optical-boards/
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Keith Moffett

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Re: Refrigerator intermittently shuts off..
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2021, 01:39:42 AM »
I am not a fan of gas absorption fridges and now the newer residential fridges are so power conscious they draw about 1/3 of the power of the older ones. 
We’re I thinking of replacing a RV fridge today I would go residential and upgrade the inverter to pure sine wave Magnum 2800 or 3000.  I might add a battery depending on my original battery pack.
The fire guy used to call these the biggest cause of fires in RVs. 
New Norcold 1200LE is about $4K.  New Samsung from Costco is half that.
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Eric Maclean

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Re: Refrigerator intermittently shuts off..
« Reply #6 on: September 29, 2021, 12:44:15 PM »
Alan
I understand the allure of the residential fridge but be aware that the fridge is only part of the equation as the new residential fridge will likely require cabinet modification to make it fit and you will require a pure sine wave inverter to power it to keep the electronics happy.
Dele ding on how bad you hate your old Norcold 1200 there is an alternative built by JC refrigeration which replaces the cooling unit with compressor unit in either 12 volt or 120 volt using your original fridge so no need to modify cabinetry.
Something to consider.

https://jc-refrigeration.com/product-category/hvac/norcold-hvac-units/

Hope this helps
Eric

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