No refrigerator cooling on AC

[jeepit]

As stated above my refrigerator does not cool when on AC. Lp it works. So I got out the trouble shooting guide in the manual and it says there is a 30 amp fuse. Doesn't indicate where the fuse is located. Looked on the fuse box inside camper-no fuse there. Opened outside panel... no fuse in sight either.

There is a black power box panel that says not to open. Could the fuse be behind there?

 

[Bill Stockard]

As stated above my refrigerator does not cool when on AC. Lp it works. So I got out the trouble shooting guide in the manual and it says there is a 30 amp fuse. Doesn't indicate where the fuse is located. Looked on the fuse box inside camper-no fuse there. Opened outside panel... no fuse in sight either.
There is a black power box panel that says not to open. Could the fuse be behind there?

Yep, the fuse is behind a black cover, but I don't remember if it's the one that says, "Do Not Open". Give me a little time to go out to the shop and look at mine and I'll let you know. I have a 6 cu/ft Norcold in my Lance and I preusme yours is also.

The 30-amp fuse is for the 12-volt heating element for when it runs on 12-volts. There should also be about a 10-amp fuse for the 120-volt AC heating element. More than likely, the 120-volt heating element has failed. Unplug the fridge from the outlet in the back of the fridge and check the resistance on the 120-volt heating element with an ohmmeter to be sure. It lifts out of the burner tube once the insulation is carefully peeled away. Replacement heating elements are available at most RV supply stores. Buy a replacement with the same rating as the failed element.

Bill

 

[jeepit]

I see a 5 amp fuse in the schematics for the AC heater.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I see a 5 amp fuse in the schematics for the AC heater.

Yes, that is correct. I was guessing at the 10-amp size fuse. I just looked at my Norcold and that is what is on the wiring diagram. The black plastic box covers the control board. It's held on with three 1/4" hex head self-tapping screws at the corners (2 on the left side, top and bottom corners, and 1 on the right at the bottom corner). The fuses are under that cover. You may have to disconnect the gas flame igniter wire in order to remove the cover. I've had the cover off, but it's been six or seven years ago and I've forgotten what it looks like and where the fuses are located under the cover. I have a Norcold Service Manual downloaded on one of my computers, but I haven't found it yet.



Bill

 

[Cummins12V98]

I popped one of those fuses when installing a new cooling fan. I was a bit concerned, I thought I toasted the board.

 

[rwitt]

Also make sure the electrical outlet that the refrigerator plugs into has power.

 

[jeepit]

Also make sure the electrical outlet that the refrigerator plugs into has power.

No power to outlet... . what's next?

 

[Bill Stockard]

No power to outlet... . what's next?

Check the Lance circuit breakers in a panel located near the power converter. On my Lance, there is a brown flat plastic panel near the converter on the left side of the kitchen to bedroom fold out step. The circuit breakers are under that panel.

Bill

 

[jeepit]

All circuit breakers are in on position. Non were tripped. I flipped all of them to off and then on.

All fuses are good.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Do the other 120-volt outlets inside the camper have power? The fridge in my Lance is on the 15-amp circuit breaker labeled: "General Purpose".



Bill

 

[rwitt]

There's usually one electrical outlet that is a GFCI outlet that feeds all the other outlets in the camper. Probably around the kitchen sink area. It has probably tripped. Reset the GFCI if it has and check for power again.

Rich

 

[Bill Stockard]

There's usually one electrical outlet that is a GFCI outlet that feeds all the other outlets in the camper. Probably around the kitchen sink area. It has probably tripped. Reset the GFCI if it has and check for power again.
Rich

Excellent suggestion! My Lance has two GFI protected outlets in the kitchen and one in the bathroom (dry bath); however, the fridge isn't "down stream" from either of them and is why I didn't think of that.

Bill

 

[jeepit]

GFI is what it was... I am embarrased... and actually I was talking with a buddy of mine this morning that said it has to be something real simple. I thought for a moment and the lightbulb went on in my head for the Ground Fault.

The GFI is located on the opposite side of camper from the refrig and under a wall cabinet above the sink. That being said, it is something that I never really plug anything in to because of it's location. Lesson learned.

Incidentally, I had a GF at home in a bathroom take out lights in a hallway.

Thanks for help guys!

 

[rwitt]

Glad you found the problem!

 

[RonD]

Just a tip, GFIC should not be connected to a refer, see in the power into the gfic can have the line out be connected to that side, not the ground fault side, GFIC is for outlets not appliances

 

[Bill Stockard]

Just a tip, GFIC should not be connected to a refer, see in the power into the gfic can have the line out be connected to that side, not the ground fault side, GFIC is for outlets not appliances

Yep, my cousin lost a freezer full of food with a similar problem. It was in a garage plugged into an outlet wired "down stream" from a GFI outlet in the bathroom on the other side of the wall. The GFI in the bathroom tripped shutting off the freezer and it was several days before he discovered the mess. I realize some codes require GFI outlets in garages.

Bill