Freezer?

AugerN · 07-14-2015, 06:31 AM

We have the large Norcold setup in our Precept. The fridge portion cools (not super cold even on 9) and the freezer makes ice and keep previously frozen items frozen. However, things like ice cream seem partially thawed. Very soft. So I assume that it doesn't get a cold as a typical freezer. Again, this is set on the coldest setting. I have yet to check with a thermometer but that is my next step. Just curious if anyone has experienced similar findings and if this is maybe typical of this setup.

AugerN · 07-14-2015, 07:53 AM

Model 1210IM, btw.

**JFlightRisk** · 07-14-2015, 08:07 AM

Non-residential style RV fridges normally only cool to 40-45 degrees below the ambient air temp. The hotter the day, the warmer the fridge temps. There are a couple of fan devices that help circulate the air either inside, or outside the fridge that help some. Here in NY we only have two seasons, winter, and July 4th, so it's not that much of an issue for us. DW packed ice cream bars last time, and although they were OK in the freezer, you had to eat 'em pretty fast.

TWP723 · 07-14-2015, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

DW packed ice cream bars last time, and although they were OK in the freezer, you had to eat 'em pretty fast.

Oh darn! :P

Camper_bob · 07-14-2015, 09:07 AM

My dad had the same problem last weekend with his fridge. The kids wanted ice pops, but they wouldn't freeze. Don't know the model number, and I didn't see the inside, but odds are it was filled to the gills with NO circulation. Our freezer works gang busters even on the hottest days.

If I start to have problems, I'll likely put a fan behind it to keep the air moving.

Scoutr2 · 07-14-2015, 09:11 AM

The freezer section of my Norcold gets down to zero! Ice cream is so hard I have to let it sit out for awhile if I want to scoop anything out! It was the same with the Dometic in my Outback. The freezer should be WAY colder than the fridge portion.

Scoutr2 · 07-14-2015, 09:17 AM

Copied and pasted this directly from the Norcold User/Installation Manual:

The Freezer Compartment
This compartment is designed to retain food in a frozen state. It is not intended for quick freezing of food.When making ice, place the ice trays on the bottom freezer surface. Set the thermostat to its coldest setting. Donot place packages on top of or around the ice trays while making ice.The freezer shelf can be adjusted for different heights or can be removed to increase freezer storage capacity.

AugerN · 07-14-2015, 09:38 AM

Ours is not packed full and in fact the ice cream was in the right side with only one other item. The service manual reads that the temp should be 18-25F under optimal operating conditions (ie. empty, 90 ambient temp, etc.). I guess more than anything, I'm curious as to whether or not I need to investigate this further on this new unit or accept it as typical and move on. I will try to grab a thermometer and have temps this weekend.

Scoutr2 · 07-14-2015, 09:42 AM

If you are still under warranty, I'd recommend you call the dealer and ask if they can adjust the flame or if there might be another issue.

You didn't say in any of your posts - does the freezer and fridge cool this way on electric or on propane - or both. Propane usually cools better.

Broken Wing · 07-14-2015, 09:49 AM

We can't keep ice cream in our freezer. Ice takes forever to make, and freezie too. If we use the highest setting it makes ice a bit faster but then the veggies will freeze in the fridge. I usually bring readdy made ice, and freeze everything ahead.

AugerN · 07-14-2015, 09:52 AM

So far we have just been on electric. Will try propane for comparison. I need to look up the propane usage rate of the fridge for future reference anyway. So far we haven't made a dent in the propane level with only using the hot water heater and general cooking over approximately 14 days of use.

Camper_bob · 07-14-2015, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AugerN

So far we have just been on electric. Will try propane for comparison. I need to look up the propane usage rate of the fridge for future reference anyway. So far we haven't made a dent in the propane level with only using the hot water heater and general cooking over approximately 14 days of use.

You won't go through much propane using it that way. We use ours almost the same way (a little cooking, HWH on propane and electric when showers are happening, fridge on when traveling ... ) and I filled our first 30 lb cylinder over a year after we bought it.

Scoutr2 · 07-14-2015, 10:06 AM

Before you fire it up on propane, be sure to light the stove and let a flame burn for about a minute before you try to start the fridge on propane. That will help purge any air from the gas lines and make lighting the fridge easier. It might take a couple cycles before it ignites, especially since you haven't been running it on propane.

And as Camper_Bob said, you won't use much propane for the fridge. It is only a large pilot-light flame that heats the reservoir. The intensity (height) of the flame is adjustable and will influence how well the fridge cools.

AugerN · 07-14-2015, 10:12 AM

Thank you Mike (and everyone else) for the help!

Jagiven · 07-14-2015, 10:26 AM

Definitely something seams wrong. Your frig is a different model then mine. But ours is very cold and I have to keep turning it down, as we can easily freeze the stuff in frig, and keep stuff cold. The bottom of the freezer is also the colder location and when needing to freeze something it must go on freezers bottom.

I would put a thermometer in both the frig and freezer and after a few days, talk with your dealer.

TWP723 · 07-14-2015, 10:30 AM

Our fridge stayed pretty cold last time we went. We filled gallon-size Ziploc bags with ice from home and threw them in the cooler over the frozen food. When we got to the CG, my wife put the bags in the freezer. 2 days later as we were packing up, she pulled them out of the freezer and they were frozen solid. And the fridge wasn't even on high.

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