Residential refrigerator but no solar!

[LegalEagle]

Our 4 door Norcold 1200 is getting less usable in the summer months. On days that the outside temperature gets to 90, the temperature inside the refrigerator always goes over 40 degrees. I've installed fans, both inside and outside the unit, always try to keep it in the shade, but it still does not perform well. I am ready to put in a 14 cu ft residential refrigerator to get better performance. But I am looking for a simple, no frills inverter set up. When researching the forums, most talk about elaborate solar installations, etc. We don't boondock, and will only need the refrigerator to run off the inverter while traveling, so the battery usage is not really an issue. Can someone point me to a simple, no frills inverter set up that will accomplish this? Again, I can't find any that don't talk about much more expensive arrangements. Will I have to turn the inverter on and off every time I use it? Or should I simply change out the converter to an inverter/charger with an internal auto switch? Any help or pointing to resources is appreciated. We just want to run the fridge off the batteries while traveling. That's all.

[NewBlackDak]

There are 12V compressor conversions that may be right up your alley. I can’t remember the company right now, but will update if I found it.

[NewBlackDak]

https://jc-refrigeration.com/product...old-gas-elect/

[RedHorse1]

Our Norcold 4-door had the same symptoms last year. I replaced the thermistor but that wasn’t the fault. Turns out the 2 factory fans in the back had failed so I replaced them and we were back in business. I see you’ve added fans but still no joy.
IMHO the only throw-away failure would be a coolant leak but it doesn’t sound like that’s the issue. Not trying to talk you out of upgrading to a residential but sounds like lots of work and $$$ and would add a level of complexity.

[mtdawg]

Our Pinnacle came with a residential refrigerator and an inverter. We have a 1000 watt inverter that only powers the refrigerator. This should not be difficult to install. You will have to remember to manually switch to the inverter when you disconnect from shore power. We have never had problems with too much battery drain while traveling. Two 12 volt deep cycle batteries seem to handle the setup quite well.

Jim

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by LegalEagle

Our 4 door Norcold 1200 is getting less usable in the summer months. On days that the outside temperature gets to 90, the temperature inside the refrigerator always goes over 40 degrees. I've installed fans, both inside and outside the unit, always try to keep it in the shade, but it still does not perform well. I am ready to put in a 14 cu ft residential refrigerator to get better performance. But I am looking for a simple, no frills inverter set up. When researching the forums, most talk about elaborate solar installations, etc. We don't boondock, and will only need the refrigerator to run off the inverter while traveling, so the battery usage is not really an issue. Can someone point me to a simple, no frills inverter set up that will accomplish this? Again, I can't find any that don't talk about much more expensive arrangements. Will I have to turn the inverter on and off every time I use it? Or should I simply change out the converter to an inverter/charger with an internal auto switch? Any help or pointing to resources is appreciated. We just want to run the fridge off the batteries while traveling. That's all.

I have helped a few friends who have side mounted venting on their fridges that don't cool like yours does. Actually we had to do this on our prior motorhome too. (It had roof mounted fridge vent, with the same root-cause of not cooling)

It all comes down to the Install of the fridge NOT FOLLOWING the required clearances on the baffling between the back of the fridge and the wall. Pull the top vent cover off and get the install papers from Norcold and measure the clearance (should be no more than 1/2 inch) from the top condenser fins - and the baffle above the fridge. Correct what they did wrong and I bet you will see amazing fridge performance again.

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by SloPoke

get the install papers from Norcold

Yes! I found a install and then a troubleshooting manual online. Do a google on the model and you will likely find them.