Norcold interior fans install

[MD3]

Installing a set of RV fridge fans inside my Norcold 1210 and was wondering if I need to route the wires out the drain tube to pick up 12v power or can I just pick up the 12v power at the interior light ?

I know the light won't have power when the fridge is off but that's okay... mainly concerned with the fan's power draw on the interior light wiring. Not sure if I should be concerned or not.
The drain tube on the Norcold 1210 is fairly small to run wires through for routing the wires to the back of the frdige.

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[Gunfighter]

Can't answer your question about the light. I used the drain line for running the line to the 12v power of the refrigerator. Didn't have any problem using the drain line. I wanted power all the time to feed the fans.

[CAG]

It has been awhile since I did one but as I recall you can pickup constant 12v prior to the door/light switch.

[MD3]

Originally Posted by Gunfighter

Can't answer your question about the light. I used the drain line for running the line to the 12v power of the refrigerator. Didn't have any problem using the drain line. I wanted power all the time to feed the fans.

My drain line is really small, no bigger than a pencil with a small black plug/strainer in the bottom.
Was yours also the small 1/4" line or was it the larger 1/2" style line ?


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[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by MD3

Installing a set of RV fridge fans inside my Norcold 1210 and was wondering if I need to route the wires out the drain tube to pick up 12v power or can I just pick up the 12v power at the interior light ?

I know the light won't have power when the fridge is off but that's okay... mainly concerned with the fan's power draw on the interior light wiring. Not sure if I should be concerned or not.
The drain tube on the Norcold 1210 is fairly small to run wires through for routing the wires to the back of the frdige.

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You should only need to run a single small gauge wire down the drain tube. I have two blowers inside the fridge and tied the 12v+ together inside before routing out the drain tube. Haven't had any issues yet and mine is the smaller drain tube. It's also a lot easier than trying to get at the wire before the door switch.

[watchout]

I powered my fans from the light (Norcold NX8) and have not had any problems. Each fan only draws something like .1 amp, so it is no problem for the wiring.

[SouthCo]

My drain tube is small like that in the picture with a black plug on the end and I used it for a power wire for my fridge fans too. Was real easy and didn’t affect draining.

[Gunfighter]

Originally Posted by MD3

My drain line is really small, no bigger than a pencil with a small black plug/strainer in the bottom.
Was yours also the small 1/4" line or was it the larger 1/2" style line ?


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Mines looks about the same size as the photo at # . I ran the two wire with a cover down the tube without a problem. I took the black small screen plug off. Was an easy install. The line you see in the photo is a cover for two size 22# wires I would guess.

[jvteach77]

Originally Posted by MD3

Installing a set of RV fridge fans inside my Norcold 1210 and was wondering if I need to route the wires out the drain tube to pick up 12v power or can I just pick up the 12v power at the interior light ?

I know the light won't have power when the fridge is off but that's okay... mainly concerned with the fan's power draw on the interior light wiring. Not sure if I should be concerned or not.
The drain tube on the Norcold 1210 is fairly small to run wires through for routing the wires to the back of the frdige.

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What fan set are you installing? Can you give a link to where you bought it?

[Gunfighter]

I will jump in and volunteer this link. https://rvcoolingunit.com/Norcold-3-...-P5661665.aspx
Comes as a three fan set mounted on metal frame that easily mounts to the evaporator fins inside your fridge. Two switches allow you to select 1, 2 or three fan operation. Keeps the fins from icing up and helps circulate the air for even cooling. Wired through drain line.

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by CAG

It has been awhile since I did one but as I recall you can pickup constant 12v prior to the door/light switch.

This, if you just wire to the lights 12v it will turn the fans off as soon as you shut the door because the lights go out (door switch turns off power to it).

If you want to power off the interior light it has to be done from the feed side of the door switch. Much easier to run down the drain tube to the rear.

[watchout]

In my Norcold N8X, the interior light stays on even with the door closed, so it is very convenient 12VDC source. The light turns off when you turn the frig off.

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by watchout

In my Norcold N8X, the interior light stays on even with the door closed, so it is very convenient 12VDC source. The light turns off when you turn the frig off.

I wasn’t sure if mine did or not so I stuck my phone in there on record and made sure.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

You should only need to run a single small gauge wire down the drain tube. I have two blowers inside the fridge and tied the 12v+ together inside before routing out the drain tube. Haven't had any issues yet and mine is the smaller drain tube. It's also a lot easier than trying to get at the wire before the door switch.

X2, I have two fans, and ran one wire down the tube. Works really nicely.