Norcold RV Refrigerator Not Working On Electric: 9 Fixes

Norcold is among the most well-known and reputable manufacturers of RV refrigerators throughout the globe. Most refrigerators on the market are AC-only and require a significant amount of power to function properly. These Norcold RV refrigerators, on the other hand, work on DC power and are ideal for camping.

With these RV refrigerators, you will have the best cooling experience as you can manage to keep the drinks cold and the food preserved. If it is not working on electricity for you, here is what you will need to do.

Norcold RV Refrigerator Not Working On Electricity

1) AC Converter

A refrigerator is useless if you only use it for camping, and it may cause problems if it’s turned on only once in a while. You’ll also want to use it on your electric circuit and the grid from time to time.

You must realize that these refrigerators are meant to work on batteries and are powered by DC or direct current. To use them on AC, or alternating current, passing via your home grid, you will need to use an AC converter.

These AC converters are now available straight from Norcold. However, if you are not sure of your abilities, you should not do this on your own. There are some problems involved, and you will need the aid of a specialist if you want it to work for you. This ensures that the circuit is correctly built and that there are no faults in the circuit that might cause you problems.

2) Check the Fuse

These freezers come with the ability to shut down if an overcurrent is detected in the electrical circuit. It is to ensure a stable supply of current to not cause any sort of damage to the equipment and parts inside the refrigerator that will be messing up its work later on.

So, there is a fuse inside the power supply that avoids any such mishaps on your refrigerator. You will need to check that fuse first to ensure that it has not been tripped already and will need to get a replacement if there are any issues with the fuse. That will help you figure it out better and you will be able to use it without any issues.

3) Wiring Issues

RVs have very intricate wiring that run between the panels and power all the appliances, including your Norcold refrigerator. Wiring issues within the RV unit could eventually cause certain appliances to not work properly, especially your refrigerator.

Again, tampering with the wiring is not something you want to be doing yourself, unless you have technical expertise. If you know of an experienced electrician who has worked with RV wiring before, get in touch with them.

They can check the wiring for you and identify any issues. In some cases, stripped insulation or earthing may prevent the RV refrigerator from working properly. It’s imperative that you inspect the wiring carefully to identify any problems, as this could also lead to a major fire hazard.

4) Faulty Circuit Breaker

Certain RV units also have a breaker panel, often located under the refrigerator or other appliances. If the circuit breaker trips every time you power on the refrigerator, it’s plausible that the issue lies with the circuit breaker.

If you know the amperage of your circuit breaker, get a replacement and plug it in. It should fix the problem in most cases. However, if the issue persists, talk to an electrician. They can check the electrical load and determine if you need a more powerful circuit breaker, or if the problem lies with the refrigerator’s power unit.

5) Problems with the Power Unit

Norcold RV refrigerators have an internal power unit that is responsible for balancing the load. In case the power supply is damaged, your refrigerator will simply stop working.

Most people don’t bother with their RV refrigerators until a problem arises. If you don’t take maintenance seriously, there is a strong risk that your RV refrigerator may stop working properly. Problems with the power unit should always be fixed by a certified technician.

Avoid tampering with the power unit on your own, as that could lead to even further issues. You can use a simple multimeter to determine if the RV refrigerator is receiving power. If the connection breaks at the power supply, you know the cause.

If your refrigerator is covered under warranty, you might want to take it to an authorized dealer. They might be able to repair it for free, or replace the power unit altogether.

6) Faulty Temperature Sensors

Another cause of problems with your RV refrigerator is the temperature sensor. If they are not securely attached, they might move, roll, and even topple out of place. Check that the sensor is properly linked to the fin, and if it is, you may adjust the temperature of the refrigerator by rotating it.

7) The Electrical Load

If your RV refrigerator is operational, but the electrical load is defective, leading the fridge to chill less effectively. The fridge is operational at this time, but it is not operating at peak efficiency since the power supply cannot deliver sufficient electrical energy for all that is connected to it.

Your RV’s lighting, fans, and other electronic equipment are frequently left on, affecting your power usage. When the temperature becomes too excessive, it disrupts the power supply to the fridge, resulting in insufficient freezing. Because the freezer absorbs the most electricity, the energy available for the refrigerator is further reduced, and the RV refrigerator may not be chilling to its maximum capacity.

It’s a major hassle when your RV refrigerator doesn’t chill correctly since your whole food supply might spoil. Knowing what to do if you detect a temperature shift in your fridge may save you time, money, and aggravation.

8) Other Possible Troubleshoots

• Check that the power circuit is not turned off.
• Check that the refrigerator is properly placed and also that the ventilation is not obstructed.
• Check that the refrigerator’s power supply is operational.
• Check to see if the fuse or light switch is still in good working order.
• Check that the room temperature is not excessively high.
• If the temperature is too high, make sure the door is properly locked.
• Make very sure that goods or cabinets coated with plastic, tissue, or other materials do not restrict cross ventilation inside the refrigerator.
• Check that no hot items were stored in the refrigerator’s fresh food section.

Usually, RVs feature heat exchanger refrigerators, which might be more difficult to maintain because more elements affect the temperature. The first point to understand is that the refrigeration components on every Norcold heat absorption refrigerator are pressure controlled and must be level to function effectively.

If the refrigerator still does not work once you have performed these inspections, call your distributor or a certified Norcold Repair Shop.

9) Contact Norcold

If you are unable to figure it out, and you have tried setting up the AC adapter perfectly, and there seems to be no issue with the fuse either. You will need to contact the Norcold support department, and they will be able to take a good look at your refrigerator and diagnose the problem more accurately.

After a proper diagnosis is done, they will be able to fix the problem for you for good and you will never have to face the problem again.

What and How Often Should Your Norcold RV Refrigerator be Serviced?

If you perform the following basic inspections every 3 to 6 weeks, your Norcold refrigerator will provide you with seasons of trouble-free operation. For further information, consult the owner’s manual that came with your refrigerator:

Care Checklist

• Preserve the storage container and the refrigerator neat.
• As needed, defrost your refrigerator.
• Check that the door shuts properly.
• Be aware of any temperature variations that are not caused by changes in the weather, loading, or thermostat adjustments. If you notice any changes, please feel free to contact your distributor or authorized service.
• Check that the air movement is not obstructed or reduced in the bottom intake exhaust.