Norco 2way fridge questions

[Dream Girl]

On the SLX line (like the 184BH)

1. When plug to 120V, how long does it take the Norco 2way fridge to cool down to safe temperatures (for milk, eggs and etc)

2. Also, is it possible to upgrade that 2way fridge to a 3way some day in the future?
Thank you.


*I can't plug the RV to power before any trip (I live in an apartment)

In my pop-up days I have placed a few big frozen bottles before I started the trip and set the fridge on 12v, by the time I have reached the destination (4h drive) the fridge was cold enough to store food (and then maintaining it on the 120v)

[norty1]

Most absorption fridges like Norcold take at least 12 hours to reach set temperature on electric. Quicker on gas.

I don't think it could be upgraded to 3 way.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by norty1

Quicker on gas.

X-2 on the gas

Running on 12 volt would wear the battery down really fast. 12 volt is designed to keep the fridge cold while being towed with the TV supplying the power.

[maromeo]

We live in a extreme heat environment. I also freeze water bottles at home and place 3 or 4 in fridge and a couple in the freezer to help speed up the cooling process. We also have a battery powered circulation fan on the shelf.

Depending on when we are departing. I will turn it on the night before and let it run and stock it in the morning. We have not had any issues with the unit cooling. It has been a great fridge/freezer.

[Dream Girl]

following on my own thread.

1. will update on a later time

2. the 3way fridges are only available in small fridges like the one you can find in a pop-up, the 12v can't handle mid to large fridges sizes.

[FPM III]

Some Norcolds, like my N841, won't start using propane if the battery is only marginally charged. Therefore, I would recommend that you ensure the battery is fully charged. Just sitting unused for a couple of weeks can reduce a battery's charge significantly due to the electrical draw from the propane alarm and radio's clock inside the coach if you leave your battery connected to it.

[Dream Girl]

Originally Posted by FPM III

Some Norcolds, like my N841, won't start using propane if the battery is only marginally charged. Therefore, I would recommend that you ensure the battery is fully charged. Just sitting unused for a couple of weeks can reduce a battery's charge significantly due to the electrical draw from the propane alarm and radio's clock inside the coach if you leave your battery connected to it.

I always remove the battery fuse when battery is not in use.

Thank you for your input, I will make sure to keep the battery charged when using the fridge on propane.

[octane]

I have a 3 way norcold on our 154bh, on DC it uses 8 amps, so we only use it when the TV is running, and propane is running low.


I read most places that it takes power from the battery to run on propane, but on my model, if the battery is not plugged in and shore power is not connected, I can run on propane no problem. guess the smaller fridges with no electronic controls don't need 12v to operate on propane.

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by octane

I have a 3 way norcold on our 154bh, on DC it uses 8 amps, so we only use it when the TV is running, and propane is running low.
I read most places that it takes power from the battery to run on propane, but on my model, if the battery is not plugged in and shore power is not connected, I can run on propane no problem. guess the smaller fridges with the electronic controls don't need 12v to operate on propane.

If you have electronic controls or automatic ignition, you need a good supply of 12VDC.

I installed a replacement fridge in my old (1985) trailer in 2010. It had no electronic controls. It had a piezo igniter an a microvolt meter showing the flame was burning. After that, a mechanical thermostat arrangement varied the flow of propane based on fridge temperature. A knob on the front allowed the user to switch from propane to 120VAC and OFF.

So, there are plenty of fridges out there that don't need 12VDC. But the easy-to-use ones do!

[Dream Girl]

Originally Posted by octane

I have a 3 way norcold on our 154bh, on DC it uses 8 amps, so we only use it when the TV is running, and propane is running low.


I read most places that it takes power from the battery to run on propane, but on my model, if the battery is not plugged in and shore power is not connected, I can run on propane no problem. guess the smaller fridges with no electronic controls don't need 12v to operate on propane.

What fridge model do you have on the 154HB?
Thanks.

[octane]

Originally Posted by Dream Girl

What fridge model do you have on the 154HB?
Thanks.

N302.3r

[norty1]

link to the owners manual:
NORCOLD N300.3 PARTS LIST Pdf Download.

[Dream Girl]

I have Norcold N305 (2way) in my 184BH
(a 2015 model)

So now I am wondering if I can swap the 2 way for a 3 way....

[octane]

Originally Posted by Dream Girl

I have Norcold N305 (2way) in my 184BH
(a 2015 model)

So now I am wondering if I can swap the 2 way for a 3 way....

for the price a new N300 series is (800$), I would just run it on propane!

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by Dream Girl

I have Norcold N305 (2way) in my 184BH
(a 2015 model)

So now I am wondering if I can swap the 2 way for a 3 way....

The 12VDC heaters don't put out enough heat to do a good job. Some folks around here run their fridges on propane while underway. (I personally don't because I was trained to be paranoid about unattended flammable gas systems.)

[octane]

Originally Posted by mike837go

The 12VDC heaters don't put out enough heat to do a good job. Some folks around here run their fridges on propane while underway. (I personally don't because I was trained to be paranoid about unattended flammable gas systems.)

True, there is actually a note in the owners manual saying that running on 12v is only to maintain the temperature, it is not powerful enough to cool down the fridge from room temperature.

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by octane

True, there is actually a note in the owners manual saying that running on 12v is only to maintain the temperature, it is not powerful enough to cool down the fridge from room temperature.

I was talked out of a 3-way by the dealer when I had to replace the bar fridge the PO installed in my old trailer.

Cool down and stocked up using the grid at home. Propane after leveling at the campsite. Perfect.

The new trailer works the same way. Except the 12V controller uses much less gas than the standing pilot on the old one.

[norty1]

I have not seen a fridge with 12v 3way option in a long time. Seems they were on early motor homes.

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by norty1

I have not seen a fridge with 12v 3way option in a long time. Seems they were on early motor homes.

They are in the catalogs I get from the RV parts/repair/dealer near where I live.

They are significantly more expensive and from what I've been told, it doesn't really make a difference.

If I built my own motor home from the ground up, I'd include a 3-way, just because I don't like having the propane on when underway. But the 12V for the fridge would have to come from the 2nd or 3rd alternator on the engine.

[octane]

Originally Posted by norty1

I have not seen a fridge with 12v 3way option in a long time. Seems they were on early motor homes.

they are more common on small fridges, if a 2.7cubic feet fridge takes 10 amps, I could only imagine how many amps a 8.0cubic feet would take!