Grey Wolf 26DBH Norcold N611V Refigerator

Norcold Automatic Refrigerator (Models N611V/N811V) …

There is a lot of talk in the RV community about whether to travel with the refrigerator running on propane.  Many say it’s a fire hazard.  After talking with my dealer, I was assured that the refrigerators were much safer now than in years past and are designed to operate while traveling to keep food cold.  Note: It is illegal in the United States to have any propane cylinder on while traveling through a tunnel.

I chose to run with the propane on and the refrigerator cooling; however, it took me three outings to figure out why it was not working.

This model refrigerator has one button On/Off.  The refrigerator first looks to see if shore power (120v) is connected.  If it does not detect shore power the unit will attempt to fire up the propane burner. If propane is not available it shuts down.  The light will burn one of three colors: green for 120v, amber for propane, and red for neither. Note: the red is really an orange color so don’t mistake it for amber.  Once it has shut down it will not attempt to connect again so you must turn the refrigerator off and back on.

On our first trip I turned the propane tanks on and turned the refrigerator on and down the highway we went.  Thankfully we did not put any food in the refrigerator because when we reached our destination the unit was not cold and the light was red.  When we plugged up shore power and turned the power off and on again the unit started cooling.  Note: If the refrigerator is not cooling at the desired temperature you need to move the thermistor on one of the fins to the left for colder or the right for warmer.  See the picture below. 

I did not attempt the propane again until the next outing and had the same result so I started investigating.  I pulled the outside door off the refrigerator and unplugged the 120v power plug to the unit.  I could hear the spark of the starter but it would not fire up.  After several attempts the unit shut down (red light).  Below is what the owner’s manual says check if you have a solid red light:

Check:

- That the refrigerator is plugged into a servicable oulet.

- That the valve of the propane gas tank(s) is open.

- That the propane gas is at the correct pressure.

- That the manual shut off valve of the refrigerator is open.

- That there is not air in the propane gas supply line.

- See your dealer or authorized Norcold Service Center.

This is the only reference in the owner’s manual about a manual shut off valve.  What is it and where is it?  After searching I found it and it was off. See the picture below. Make sure the line on the knob is horizontal and in line with the gas lines.

 

After turning on this valve and recycling the on/off button I could hear the burner fire up. Problem solved.  Hmmm, not so quick.

Next outing I turned the propane on and the refrigerator on and down the road I went. Arrived at the destination and the refrigerator was not cold and the red light was on.  See that line, from the owners manual below the one about the shut off valve?  Yes, the one about air in the lines.  After turning on the inside stove and lighting a burner (several attempts due to air in the line) I recycled the on/off button and the refrigerator burner came on.  Ok, so I think the problem is solved but I have not attempted running the refrigerator on propane while traveling.  Next trip.  I will let you know.