Help Troubleshoot Frig

[BlueRidge]

Hello,

I have a Norcold top-loading 45L refrigerator. It's powered by a factory installed FWC 165 watt solar panel, two 100 amp batteries, and the alternator from my truck.

When I drive the truck and have the alternator supplying additional power, the frig works normally.

When I turn the truck off, and use battery power alone, it won't hold the set temperature, and gradually gets warmer.

I have a trimetic meter, as well as the factory installed Zamp monitor. The trimetic shows the battery is 90-100% charged, yet the Norcold doesn't stay cold.

Do you have any trouble shooting suggestions?

Also, if I need to get it serviced, can you recommend a repair shop in Tampa or Orlando Florida for good service?

Thanks, John

 

[LAWNMOWERMAN]

What is the voltage on your trimetric when trying to run the fridge on batteries only?The % of charge may not be correct if the meter is not set up correctly.I don't know about your Norcold but my ARB 50qt has 3 low voltage shut off settings.

 

[ski3pin]

Looking at the Norcold manual, it has 3 low voltage settings. What is the OP's set on?

 

[BlueRidge]

The Norcold voltage switch is set on #3

The trimetric shows 12.8 volts truck not running.

 

[zoie]

What is the voltage on the battery after you've run the fridge for a while. May be your battery is failing?

 

[LAWNMOWERMAN]

Have you tried moving the low voltage switch to the other settings?With the Trimetric set to volts turn the fridge on.Does the voltage drop?If no voltage drop--check voltage at plug going in to the fridge with a multimeter.My guess would be a bad connection to the plug but with truck charging higher volts and amps may override the bad connection.Is it hard wired or a cigarette lighter plug?

 

[PaulT]

I'm curious about the fridge current draw on batteries only vs when the truck is running as indicated on the Trimetric.

Also, have your verified that all negatives return through the shunt?

Paul

 

[Old Crow]

What model fridge?

If it's an NRF45, I see the manual for that one shows it has power and error lights and I'd be curious what they show. Also, whether they display differently with truck running versus battery only.

 

[BlueRidge]

I didnt install the trimetric so I dont know if all the negatives ran through the shunt (or what a shunt is).

The frig has worked for two years without fail.

The yellow error light displays when the frig fails to hold temperature (set at 40).

Changing the 3 position switch doesnt change the volt or amp draw.

Truck running volts are 13.3, truck off is a range of 12.4 to 12.8

 

[BlueRidge]

Lawnmoverman, With the frig runningand holding temperature the volts were 12.4 truck off.

I turned the frig off and volts clmbed to 12.6, turned it back on and volts stayed at 12.6

 

[PaulT]

BlueRidge,

Those voltages look normal for lead acid batteries. Very similar to mine before swapping out my AGM’s for LiFePO4.
Get an inexpensive wireless thermometer similar to this one to let you know if you need to do something about rising temps.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/AcuRite-Digital-Thermometer-with-Indoor-Outdoor-Temperature-02049/206876297

If nothing else, it will provide some peace of mind about the safety of your food supply.

Paul