Fridge problems while driving

CLG

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2019
Messages
101
Location
Surrey
Our fridge doesn’t work while driving, not on dc, or propane.
It works when plugged into shore power.
It is a norcold duel power fridge in 2014 ACE 27.1
I’m not sure where to start troubleshooting from what I can see the breakers and fuses in the converter panel are ok. I flipped all the breakers just to make sure they were not tripped.
 
Our fridge doesn’t work while driving, not on dc, or propane.
It works when plugged into shore power.
It is a norcold duel power fridge in 2014 ACE 27.1
I’m not sure where to start troubleshooting from what I can see the breakers and fuses in the converter panel are ok. I flipped all the breakers just to make sure they were not tripped.

Do you have Inverter? If so is it ON? Is your Use Store Switch in correct position?

That is a good place to start.
 
The fridge in our 2015 ACE runs on either propane or 120V (shore power or generator power) not 12V DC. Are you sure yours runs on 12V?

Does it work properly on propane if not plugged in or on generator power? That's how we run it when driving. Note it does require 12V to operate the circuit board. If your Use/Store switch is in the Store position then it won't get the 12V it needs.
 
Our fridge doesn’t work while driving, not on dc, or propane.
It works when plugged into shore power.
It is a norcold duel power fridge in 2014 ACE 27.1
I’m not sure where to start troubleshooting from what I can see the breakers and fuses in the converter panel are ok. I flipped all the breakers just to make sure they were not tripped.

Your fridge does not run on 12 VDC. It runs on 120 VAC when plugged into SP or propane otherwise. It DOES require 12 VDC in either case for control power.

Have you successfully run the fridge on propane while stationary?
Are you leaving the USE/STORE switch in USE while traveling?
 
I do not know if we have an inverter.
Use Store switch is in use.
 
Ok it runs on 120 and propane. When driving the switch on the fridge is in auto and still doesn’t work. At camp sites it works fine on shore power
 
When the switch is on Auto the default is 120V. If 120V is not available it will switch to gas (propane). Does the fridge work if you move the switch to 'Gas'? (where it will not bother to try 120V but stay on propane) Do you have propane in the tank? Is the main gas shut off valve open?

When the fridge does not work what are the green (on) & orange (gas) lights doing? If the gas does not light after 3 tries it will stop trying and the lights on the control panel will flash.

Norcold Owners Manual: https://forestriverinc.com/files/Co...sorption) Model N61X, N81X Owner's Manual.pdf
 
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Ok it runs on 120 and propane. When driving the switch on the fridge is in auto and still doesn’t work. At camp sites it works fine on shore power

What were the conditions when you were successfully running on propane?

Assume when you know it working on Propane, when you drive does it still work?

What happens when try with the Auto switch set to Propane only?


If you had an inverter you would probably know it, or see a switch somewhere inside near fridge or a main wall to turn inverter on/off. I only mention because I don't use Propane anymore to run my fridge when driving. My 120vac fridge runs off the inverter. That could a down the road phase 2 option for you. Right now you should be able to run Propane Only and it should be able to Auto switch from 120vac to Propane whenever you have shorepower available.
 
Mine stopped working when in the "propane" mode. Culprit ended up being mud-dabber wasps that built a nest in the fire box area while the unit sat and ran on shore power. I've since cleaned up the area, placed insect screens on the ventilation slots, and haven't had any new problems.
 
When unplugged from shore power, what is the house battery voltage?

Make CERTAIN you are not plugged in, AND the battery disconnect switch (use/store) is ON. Then check voltage directly from house battery posts.
 
In a prior RV (truck camper) the propane flame would often blow out while driving. I had to add some baffles to prevent that.
 
The propane works on the stove and heat.
I tried the fridge on propane and auto switch and didn’t work on either.
When we are not plugged to shore power we get no ligh[ts on the fridge.
 
House batteries are 12.9 on the indicator screen. Our service tech said they are in good shape.
 
I thought the propane for the stove was electronic igniter, the pilot light fired when required.
 
The propane works on the stove and heat.
I tried the fridge on propane and auto switch and didn’t work on either.
When we are not plugged to shore power we get no ligh[ts on the fridge.

If the "ON" light is not on then you have no 12 VDC control power. If it is ON when on SP then your house batteries are not connecting to the DC load buss. More than just the fridge should not work in that case.
 
The propane works on the stove and heat.
I tried the fridge on propane and auto switch and didn’t work on either.
When we are not plugged to shore power we get no ligh[ts on the fridge.

The stove & furnace confirm you have propane. So the issue is likely with the fridge itself. The fridge circuitry will lock out the propane operation if it doesn't ignite after X number of tries (usually 3 tries). When you put the switch to 'gas' can you hear the igniter clicking repeatedly?

When plugged in to shore power with the fridge switch on 'Auto' the green power light should be lit. Yes or no?
 
This is making sense. There are no lights on the fridge. The slide wouldn’t move on battery also. However I usually start the genset to move the slide. I’ll have to repurchase this wiring.
 
The slide won't move on battery... :whistling:

Switch the fridge to auto... not plugged in... then go outside near the fridge vent and listen closely. Ticking... then should ignite. You should hear a low volume "roar" of the burner.
 
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This is making sense. There are no lights on the fridge. The slide wouldn’t move on battery also. However I usually start the genset to move the slide. I’ll have to repurchase this wiring.

Interior lights work on battery?

Water pump work on battery?

Furnace work on battery?
 

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