Norcold RV Refrigerator Isn't Getting Cold Enough in the Winter!

When it Gets Below Freezing Outside Does Your Norcold Refrigerator Stop Working?

You are not alone! Norcold RV Refrigerators that are gas absorption models will not run efficiently when the temperature drops below freezing. The reason for the failure is that the ammonia vapors condensate in the rectifier tube rather than the condenser coils at the top, like they should. The condensation then falls back to the bottom of the rectifier tube and the process repeats itself. In normal operation, the condensation takes place at the top of the cooling unit (condensation coils) and then runs down the winding coils. 

The only way to solve this problem is to retain a warm ambient temperature at the top of the cooling unit. Many RVers block up their upper vent to keep some of the heat from escaping and the problem that comes of this is that those RVers sometimes forget to remove whatever is obstructing that upper vent when Spring rolls around or when they get into warm ambient temperatures. This is certainly a fire hazard and it is the reason that Norcold cannot recommend doing this. We cannot recommend doing this either for the same reasons. Unfortunately, gas absorption refrigerators (whether it be Norcold, Dometic, or any other) will not run efficiently in low ambient or hot ambient situations simply because of the cooling unit's design.