Norcold RV Refrigerator Won't Work in Summer (when it's hot out)

Does Your Norcold Refrigerator Warm Up in Hot Ambient Temperatures?

This issue is more common than you think. If you have a gas absorption model refrigerator as opposed to an AC/DC model that doesn't run on LP, it is highly sensitive to temperature. If it's too warm outside (90 degrees F and above) or too cold (below freezing) it will not function properly. In most cases it will end up showing a fault code that indicates that the refrigerator is not sensing a temperature drop. This code could be: no co, n, or light flashing 5 times.

What can I do to make it work better?!

The best thing to do here is to make sure that the ventilation is to specification behind the refrigerator. We have an article that details this out. The venting needs to be near perfect in order for it to work properly in hot ambient conditions. We recommend removing your access vents and positioning your RV in a way that assures the side of your RV with the refrigerator on it is facing the shade. Another recommendation is that you run the refrigerator on AC rather than LP. In many cases, installing an external fan will also help with improved cooling performance. If you already have external fans to help air flow, check the ventilation! If there are any obstructions to air flow or any sharp corners where air can circulate, or too much room between the back wall and the condenser fins, cooling performance will be restricted. Check out our article on ventilation for more details on that. Below are some links to the Norcold fan, bracket, and fan thermostat.

External DC Fan

DC Fan Thermostat

Fan Mounting Bracket

Other than these things, there is not much that you can do. Gas absorption refrigerators operate based on ammonia-based condensation that collects up at the top of the cooling unit. This condensation then falls into the cooling unit's condenser coils and flows through the coils by gravity (this is why it's important for your RV to be level). When it gets too warm outside the problem is that condensation never begins at the top of the cooling unit because there isn't enough temperature difference. We are sorry for the bad news! Don't blame us, blame the system!

If you've taken all of the steps mentioned above without any improvement, send us an Email at info@thenorcoldguy.com. We might have a few tricks up our sleeves to find something you may have missed!