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Old 04-24-2019, 09:23 PM   #1
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THOR #13098
Norcold Fridge...How Level

I have read the Owner's Manual for the Norcold Fridge and it says the unit has to be as level as possible to work properly, but in reality how level does it have to be? I also read (somewhere) that if the boiler is "on the downhill side the fridge can be more out of level and function.
Can any one speak to this from experience?
TIA

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Old 04-24-2019, 09:44 PM   #2
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We will often park our rig on the street in front of our house, and we've never had an issue. Typical slope to curb on a residential street.

Recently I was parked on a significant slope with the back of the fridge on the downhill side of the slope. After a bit it began making a banging/rattling sound. I turned it off and let it rest a few minutes while I repositioned the coach and leveled it. Turned it back on and it's doing fine.

I wish I could tell you the degree of the slope. But all I can say it was significantly more than any residential street would have. So they don't have to be perfectly level, but they cannot be on a slope that is really leaning. I hope this helps.
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Old 04-24-2019, 10:28 PM   #3
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I must say that after checking the RV is on a 4.5 degree slope....I thought I read somewhere that a +/-6 degree side to side (looking at the refrigerator) is OK....any truth in that?
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Old 04-24-2019, 10:52 PM   #4
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I've heard that once you pass three degrees: the efficiency drops off like a stone!
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Old 04-24-2019, 11:07 PM   #5
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Its 3 degrees one way and 6 degrees the other--forget which way for each however.

On ours: If I park in the driveway without leveling (which puts the nose way down about 10") the refer actually warms instead of cools.
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Old 04-24-2019, 11:23 PM   #6
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3 degrees from one side of the fridge to the other, 6 degrees from the back of the fridge to the front.

The side-to-side is the most critical for fridge efficiency.
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Old 04-25-2019, 02:02 AM   #7
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take a look at this web site. This guy has tons of info spread throughout his site...some videos too show how sensitive they are.
I do have one of his devices...can't really say for sure if it works or not, but I sleep better knowing it's there.

arprv.com
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Old 04-25-2019, 11:00 AM   #8
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There are a bunch of good apps for your smartphone, that will let it function as a bubble level for you.
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Old 04-25-2019, 11:29 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stustoner View Post
I have read the Owner's Manual for the Norcold Fridge and it says the unit has to be as level as possible to work properly, but in reality how level does it have to be? I also read (somewhere) that if the boiler is "on the downhill side the fridge can be more out of level and function.

Can any one speak to this from experience?

TIA


We pulled our RV in the drive way it didn’t work, we backed it in and it works.
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Old 04-25-2019, 01:19 PM   #10
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I couldn't find the name of the app., but here's what it looks like:

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1556198356
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Old 04-25-2019, 10:58 PM   #11
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the one I use on my iphone is the iHandy level app.
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Old 04-25-2019, 11:27 PM   #12
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Other than making the fridge as level as possible, another thing you can easily & cheaply do to increase the efficiency of your fridge is to install a 12v fan inside to circulate air around the fins. It's easy to tap into the 12v power at the inside light fixture. Just tap in BEFORE the switch. The fan will run as long as there is 12v power to the fridge.
The other thing you can do is to install a 12v fan outside on the back of your fridge in the service bay. The fan will blow air across the fins and increase efficiency. There is a 12v line available there for power.


Fans are available on Amazon for a few bucks each.
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Old 04-26-2019, 08:49 AM   #13
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I previously stated that the coach was on a 4.5 degree slope.....I did turn the coach around (it was backed into our driveway) and now the front end is closer to the top and more flat portion of the driveway......I am now on a less than 3 degree slope and fridge is working great.....leaving today for our yearly shake down cruise....thanks to all for the above replies and information.
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Old 04-26-2019, 11:35 AM   #14
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Glad to hear that your ice cubes are finally happy!
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Old 04-26-2019, 05:42 PM   #15
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I was told many years ago, if you're happy the fridge is happy. It works for me. Presently have a 2016 Vegas 25.2.
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Old 04-26-2019, 06:03 PM   #16
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If you have to hang onto something, when you're trying to sleep: there's a good chance that your refrigerator isn't going to be happy either...
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Old 05-04-2019, 07:52 PM   #17
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Put a bubble level on one of the refrigerator shelves (you can get them
at Walmart or CW) and as long as the bubble is somewhat inside the
circle you should be fine.
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Old 05-04-2019, 07:54 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16ACE27 View Post
3 degrees from one side of the fridge to the other, 6 degrees from the back of the fridge to the front.

The side-to-side is the most critical for fridge efficiency.

Thats what my Norcold manual says too.
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Old 05-04-2019, 08:20 PM   #19
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My subjective rule of thumb is if the RV is too far off level for comfortable habitation, then it's not level enough to run the refrigerator. I have been in such off-level spots that I needed to buildup one end or the other with wooden planks to allow the levelers to level the rig. Of course some of the tires were not touching the ground, but you've got to do what you've got to do.
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Old 05-04-2019, 09:36 PM   #20
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Last year; I saw a Si[er-C that had it's right front tire about a foot off the ground!
That campsite was well-sloped for drainage...
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