Inconsistent cooling with Norcold 3 way refrigerator

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gmcnet1

Member
Apr 23, 2019
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Will an absorption fridge that has blocked tubes due to off-level operation have inconsistent cooling or no cooling? I can get down to low single
digits in my freezer and almost freezing in the fridge, but sometimes the fridge will randomly get up to the high 40s for a few hours. This is when
operating on 120VAC. I have a new propane burner and I haven't tried to see if the behavior is the same with that. The PO insulated the cabinet but
the baffle between the top of the side vent and the bottom of the tubes is missing. I'm hoping that reinstalling the baffle using 1/4" plywood,
keeping it about 2" away from the flue, will help (thanks for the prior post on this @emerystora).
--
Christo Darsch
1977 Eleganza II - "Komet"
3.50 Power Drive, Disc Brakes, Alcoas
Weymouth, MA
 
I tthink you issue is notthe air cooling but the crystals that formed.
Take a surface reading at the pipes and you'll find a restriction.
Should you need , there are places that supply the reconditioned back unit.
Should you decide to acquire a new unit I can Quote you on a NEW unit
delivered.

On Fri, Aug 23, 2019 at 7:52 AM Christo Darsch via Gmclist <

> Will an absorption fridge that has blocked tubes due to off-level
> operation have inconsistent cooling or no cooling? I can get down to low
> single
> digits in my freezer and almost freezing in the fridge, but sometimes the
> fridge will randomly get up to the high 40s for a few hours. This is when
> operating on 120VAC. I have a new propane burner and I haven't tried to
> see if the behavior is the same with that. The PO insulated the cabinet but
> the baffle between the top of the side vent and the bottom of the tubes is
> missing. I'm hoping that reinstalling the baffle using 1/4" plywood,
> keeping it about 2" away from the flue, will help (thanks for the prior
> post on this @emerystora).
> --
> Christo Darsch
> 1977 Eleganza II - "Komet"
> 3.50 Power Drive, Disc Brakes, Alcoas
> Weymouth, MA
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Thanks Jim. I was thinking that I didn't have much of a restriction since the unit can get very cold but is inconsistent. One thing I already fixed
was a dirty temperature control slider on the front panel. I could hear a relay (?) clicking on and off repeatedly when I moved the control from side
to side. Contact cleaner took care of that.
--
Christo Darsch
1977 Eleganza II - "Komet"
3.50 Power Drive, Disc Brakes, Alcoas
Weymouth, MA
 
May be the controller, check it out and see if that is the issue. Save
yourself lot of funds.
The new units are really nice, but I question the cost.

On Fri, Aug 23, 2019 at 10:32 AM Christo Darsch via Gmclist <

> Thanks Jim. I was thinking that I didn't have much of a restriction since
> the unit can get very cold but is inconsistent. One thing I already fixed
> was a dirty temperature control slider on the front panel. I could hear a
> relay (?) clicking on and off repeatedly when I moved the control from side
> to side. Contact cleaner took care of that.
> --
> Christo Darsch
> 1977 Eleganza II - "Komet"
> 3.50 Power Drive, Disc Brakes, Alcoas
> Weymouth, MA
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
First thing I would do is pull the roof vent and clean the flue. When I was a tech, I had a secrion of cable with the end frayed out a bit. Run it up
an dtdown to clear rust and spder webs, then blow it cout with air.

Next, clean the burner and observe the lame color.

Is it consistanly bad on both electric and electroic modes?

Has it been run off level for any time?

If so, after doing the cleaning, try what Jim said.
--
76 Glenbrook
 
Quick and dirty if you haven't. Run a dollar bill around the door edges and make sure it's sealing. I fone one of the door drink holders slightly
bent on the 23', holding the door open barely. Took it out, no further troubles.

--johnny
--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
 
I'll check the flue and door seals, good ideas! Baffle is in, the installation manual says to put it within 1" of the coils. The weather has cooled
off a bit, so it'll be working better, but it got down to 28 degrees and has been holding that temp for about 12 hours.
--
Christo Darsch
1977 Eleganza II - "Komet"
3.50 Power Drive, Disc Brakes, Alcoas
Weymouth, MA
 
> Will an absorption fridge that has blocked tubes due to off-level operation have inconsistent cooling or no cooling? I can get down to low single
> digits in my freezer and almost freezing in the fridge, but sometimes the fridge will randomly get up to the high 40s for a few hours. This is when
> operating on 120VAC. I have a new propane burner and I haven't tried to see if the behavior is the same with that. The PO insulated the cabinet but
> the baffle between the top of the side vent and the bottom of the tubes is missing. I'm hoping that reinstalling the baffle using 1/4" plywood,
> keeping it about 2" away from the flue, will help (thanks for the prior post on this @emerystora).

----

CHECK YOUR POWER CONNECTIONS on the back of the frige.

They have those push'n plug type of connectors and are exposed to the moisture and will corrode.
you might have to clean them. I found one that was getting hot, where the wire was crimped to
the connector so I fixed that on mine.

if that is all you have, its a simple fix.

The other problem I had was the on off heater switch. I have the small freezer above, and the larger frig on the bottom. This switch was mistakenly
placed between the top door and the bottom door. That switch can get moisture in it and the contacts will corrode. IF you can find the switch,
replace it. That switch can stop your frig from working no problem. Mine wouldn't work in the normal on position but would work with the frost
heaters on. I have replaced this switch in the past because it went bad, same reason. I just had to replace it again. it takes a mini rocker, DPDT
center off switch. Check you frig for the on off switch and check for size needed. This particular switch for some reason is hard to find. I think
there are 4 wires connected to the switch that makes it all work.

I really like my Norcold 3 way.
--
GatsbysCruise. \
74GMC260 Former Glacier Model style. \
Waukegan, Illinois \ Keep those MiniDiscs Spinning \ MY GREYHOUND IS FASTER THAN YOUR HONOR ROLL STUDENT \ WindowsXP-Win7-Win8.1-UBUNTU STUDIO -
UBUNTU VOYAGER - Berzin Auto Center
 
Thanks for the tips. I think I'm okay with connections and switches because the freezer is staying cold. Now that I've installed baffles things seem
to be doing better. I checked the tubes with an IR thermometer as JimK suggested and there doesn't seem to be a blockage.
--
Christo Darsch
1977 Eleganza II - "Komet"
3.50 Power Drive, Disc Brakes, Alcoas
Weymouth, MA
 
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