Norcold fridge

[2slick]

We've got the Norcold 4 door Model 12101M fridge, and I'm not sure it is cooling properly. We have high temps in the mid 90's, and the fridge gets around 35* on the coldest setting. Freezer (w/ice maker) gets down to 10-15*. When I talked to the tech at the dealer, he said it should get lower than that. Just curious what temps you folks see out of like fridges?

 

[2slick]

Just an update. Norcold has agreed to have our dealer's tech come service the fridge at our RV lot at their expense. When I don't know.....but we're making do at 35*, and the freezer is making lots of ice!

 

[NorskeBob]

Sound pretty good - with our fridge we were luck to keep it at 45 or so when it was 90 degrees out this summer when we were camping.Edited by: NorskeNY

 

[2slick]

Sound pretty good - with our fridge we were luck to keep it at 45 or so when it was 90 degrees out this summer when we were camping.

I've pretty much checked it out. Everything seems to be functioning as it should, just not as cold as it should be. Service manager said Norcold has a few things they want the tech to do. One thing I haven't checked is the thermistor; don't have a meter accurate enough to measure the ohms on it. Don't know what they will do, but it's got to do better. Either fix it, new Norcold or a Dometic. We get well over 90* here.

I had read some dealers are adding a third cooling fan. I can't see that helping in our case. Fans are cycling properly. Condenser is under 115* when they cut off.

 

[2slick]

Well, going on two weeks since they came out to check the fridge. Tech checks it out, and I could tell he had some bad news from the look on his face. He tells me he got all the readings that Norcold wanted, and now the fridge wouldn't come back on. We've got a commercial drink box in our storage shed, so I kept my cool and told him we could use it. When he left, I popped the cover on the control board, and just like I figured, he had blown the 5 amp DC fuse. Plugged in a new fuse, and the box fires right up. So we're right back where we started, making do, but the fridge ain't right. I'm gonna see just how long they let me go with a fridge they think ain't working at all. Then when my dealer does the phone survey to see how their service was, I'll give him an ear full.

 

[mhodge5300]

I never get mine any colder that 34 at an outside of 90. I'd say you're doing OK. Any colder and your food would freeze. And hey, if you have ice......thats all you need

 

[yoopertwo]

You are lucky as they routed the gas line directly in front of and 1?4" in front of the control panel where the fuses are and mine won't run on gas when you disconnect the power from the pedestal

 

[mhodge5300]

If you are getting 35 degrees on a 90 degreed day, you can't ask for more. Be sure to check the seal between the doors as it doesn't always close all the way. This was the problem I had and once we realized that, all was well..

 

[tator447]

Does anyone have the reall 'skinny' on why CR is installing 2 separate 8.3 CF fridges in the new Rushmore's? Is that so if one breaks you have a backup? I mean, why not just install a residential model, I read elsewhere that a lot of manufacturer's are going that route. Just interested if anyone got the real scoop on this methodology.

thanks,
Jim

 

[timonbik]

I put a residential unit in my Seville. Saving $40 a month just on electricity never mind my savings onunit . I sent an email to Rudy, one of the product sales reps asking if they had considered this on the Rushmore. He said they hadn't but would bring it up with the product manager. Send Crossroads an email and tell them what you want. Maybe we can help them make a decision to get rid of the crappy Norcold refigerators.

 

[bourbonram]

Does anyone have the reall 'skinny' on why CR is installing 2 separate 8.3 CF fridges in the new Rushmore's?  Is that so if one breaks you have a backup?  I mean, why not just install a residential model, I read elsewhere that a lot of manufacturer's are going that route.  Just interested if anyone got the real scoop on this methodology.
 
thanks,
Jim

I saw that on the website and thought to myself that was a lot of fridge. Didn't really think two refrigerators were necessary. If I was in the market for a new trailer that would probably be a negative for me.

 

[c&jcampers]

We just purchased a Rushmore Washington. Love the unit, but even after a through PDI we have found numerous issues that need to be resolved guickly.

We were told that the idea of 2 units was that instead of 1ea 12 CF they decided to put in 2- 8CF, so now you have 16 CU Ft. Plus the 8's will fit out the door if they ever need to be replaced. The sales rep stated that the larger refer's would have to be removed through a window.
With our refer'sI have alot of heat build up around the units. My Rv Tech looked into this area and noticed that there were no baffles installed to help direct the airflow up and out of that area. The heat gets so bad that the bottom 2" of ice in my ice maker tray melts together.

 

[timonbik]

Salesperson doesn't know what they are talking about, because both the 12 and 17 cu. ft. fridges will go out the door just fine.I know from personal experience.The reason they changed over is thatthe 12's are very expensive and repair history is high. 8's are much cheaper to install and replace if needed. Two 8's are cheaper than a 12.

 

[2slick]

Front controls and control board were replaced back in October. Of course, our weather had cooled by then. I told the service tech then it would never make it in hot weather. Well, sure enough, we're getting into summer here and it cratered. Just had the cooling unit replaced yesterday, and unless something changes, I ain't impressed. I would a lot rather have two of the 8 cubic foot units than this piece of junk. Every tech I have talked to says they are nothing but trouble. I suspect the factory went to those two smaller fridges for that reason.

 

[Rushmore2011]

We've had our Rushnore 38ck for 2 years ... NEVER has the Fruge gotten to 35. Mostly 45.. Till this weekend when it topped at 60. . Of course it did that 3 hours after we got to campground .Was always told 45 is good. whata crock !

 

[Rushmore2011]

All said and done.....I love the floor plan we have... We decided to keep it ! In spite of problems.

 

[Lloyd S]

If I owned one of those things that had that one of those big fridges that doesn't seem to be fixable, I would throw the d**m thing out in the garbage, bite the bullet and get me a residential fridge that fit in the hole. Then I would install an inverter big enough to handle it when I wasn't plugged into a light pole. I know, it's under warranty yet and you probably don't want to spend the money to do that because CR just might come up with a fix for the problem. Well let me tell ya, to me the stress, strain, and aggravation wouldn't be worth the hassle that you seem to be going through.
Just my opinion folks, take it for what you think it's worth.

 

[2slick]

I am pleasantly surprised! The fridge is working great! (knock on wood) Set on cold setting 8, and it is holding between 35-38*. And, btw, I had already measured it to look for a residential fridge to fit the hole. If your fridge is still under warranty and won't do the job, I would be calling Norcold or Dometic for a new cooling unit.