Norcold frig propane starting solution

Tabaz · October 2015

I could not get my Norcold frig started on propane (other two sources worked fine). Dealer said this is a recurring problem with these units. Here's what he suggested that worked on the first try: (1) turn temperature knob to the 6 o'clock position (NOT "start"), (2) turn source knob to Propane, (3) hold red button in for 1 minute (not 15 seconds) and finally, (4) release the red button very slowly. Presto!

jkjenn · October 2015

I had a dealer tell me not to use start... wrong! You aren't in PA, are you?

Check out this thread I started on the three way fridge: http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/1661/using-your-3-way-fridge-my-lessons-learned/p1

Tabaz · October 2015

No Jenn. Here in Phoenix AZ. Elevation = always warm or hot. I did read your excellent post, but nothing worked last night when trying to light it. Fired right up at the 6 o'clock position.

jkjenn · October 2015

If you are close to a dealer, I would make them take care of it. If you are not, k would remove the stove and inspect the thermocouple. Elevation should not matter, at all. The T@b comes with the high altitude kit.

Tabaz · October 2015

Jenn - I got the distinct impression the dealer is having problems with this unit and there's nothing they can do about it. He's very close, so taking it in would not be too inconvenient.

Nomad · October 2015

Or, call Ed at the factory and he may set you up with a Norcold service center - They'd know more than a dealer.

jkjenn · October 2015

PXLated said:
Or, call Ed at the factory and he may set you up with a Norcold service center - They'd know more than a dealer.

My dealer told me I had a bad unit, too. They were wrong. I think this is the easy out for them. This was the same dealer who insisted that I did not need to turn it to start. I took it home and it was fine.

Try this:
Run the fridge on a/c power for 10 min.
Light the stove and then turn it off.
Turn the dial to propane and the temp to start.
Press the ignition and hold either for up to 45-60 seconds.
If no green light, you either have a loose thermocouple or a defective unit.

With delivery in AZ, I wouldn't be surprised if the thermocoupler jiggled loose during transport. I think it was @ChanWwho found this to be his issue and it only needed to tightened.

Are you plugged in when you attempt it on propane? If not, what is the state of charge for your battery?

Tabaz · October 2015

Jenn - I tried those suggestions based on your prior posts, to no avail. The green light would go on when I pushed in the red button, and stay on as long as the button was in. It would go out as soon as the button was released (fast, slow, didn't matter). I could also hear a faint "whoosh" sound when the light went out after the button was released.

jkjenn · October 2015

I often have to leave the button depressed for anywhere from 30-60 seconds after I turn green light comes on and I turn the dial from start to the desired temperature setting. If you can't get it to stay lit, then the dealer should make it right for you. If they don't take care of it, trying calling Pleasant Valley.

Tabaz · October 2015

Are you turning the knob from "Start" to a temp setting while still holding in the red button?

Michigan_Mike · October 2015

One thing my dealer did and explained would make a difference after turning the propane on (and prior to attempting to fire up the Norcold) was to get the stove lit, allow a little propane to burn off on the stove and to get the stove to maintain a nice blue flame, minus the flame fluttering/ jumping as oxygen burned off. Once a nice, even flame was established on the stove he turned it off and proceeded to light the Norcold via the propane, held the button in for 30 seconds and the green light came on.

He stated that many people do not have ample propane to the Norcold and by burning some off and getting the air out of the line that this will help out when trying to fire up the Norcold unit. I've seen similar things happen with other propane dependent devices and his advice does make some sense.

ChanW · October 2015

jkjenn said:

If no green light, you either have a loose thermocouple or a defective unit.

With delivery in AZ, I wouldn't be surprised if the thermocoupler jiggled loose during transport. I think it was @ChanWwho found this to be his issue and it only needed to tightened.

Yes, I found the thermocouple nut on the controller unit (underneath the range) came loose on me a few times, and tightening it solved the problem (same symptoms you describe).

In the end I put a dab of Lock-tite on the threads before I tightened it, and it hasn't come loose since.

If you don't want to bother going to the dealer to check this, the info for lifting the stovetop is in this thread:
http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/18882/#Comment_18882

It was pretty easy to do.

jkjenn · November 2015

OutbackAZ said:

Are you turning the knob from "Start" to a temp setting while still holding in the red button?

Yes.

Nomad · November 2015

Hmmmm - I release the red button, then turn to temp. Has always worked for me.

jkjenn · November 2015

PXLated said:

Hmmmm - I release the red button, then turn to temp. Has always worked for me.

I have done it both ways but found greater success (consistency) turning it while holding the button.

Nomad · November 2015

I've never had it not work - 100% success rate - Hope it continues :-)

jkjenn · November 2015

PXLated said:

I've never had it not work - 100% success rate - Hope it continues :-)

The directions were not very clear, so I had some trouble when I first got it. I had the T@b at the dealer for other service and they tried to light the fridge and were unsuccessful. I took it home and fired it up and have not had difficulty since.

cbarnhill · November 2015

I live in AZ and had the same problem that Outback had. I took it back in to toms and they got it to work doing the same steps that Outback uses. Basically holding the button for a full minute. I usual,y run the propane burner first to get it going. This method seems to work. Is there a problem starting it this way?

RollingLagrima · November 2015

I have to do the same thing. And, mine happened to come from Tom's as well.

Tabaz · November 2015

Well, there you have it - the problem is Tom's Camperland! Just kidding of course. I used the "6 O'clock" method this weekend and it worked fine. I will try Jenn's suggestion of turning the temp knob from "start" to a temp setting while still holding in the red button. I notice my frig makes a noticeable amount of noise when running on shore power or propane. So much so, that I turned it off in order to sleep.

jkjenn · November 2015

OutbackAZ said:

Well, there you have it - the problem is Tom's Camperland! Just kidding of course. I used the "6 O'clock" method this weekend and it worked fine. I will try Jenn's suggestion of turning the temp knob from "start" to a temp setting while still holding in the red button. I notice my frig makes a noticeable amount of noise when running on shore power or propane. So much so, that I turned it off in order to sleep.

Unless you are referring to the fan, that isn't normal. I find on propane, it is pretty close to silent.

cbarnhill · November 2015

Outback-its the fan. (Not the one that you turn on manually). It is noisy and it runs a lot in AZ. When I go to cold locations, it runs a lot less.

Nomad · November 2015

Yep - probably the compressor cooling fan. Seemed noisy to me when I first started camping but I must have gotten used to it cuz I rarely notice anymore

Tabaz · November 2015

Thanks everyone. I'll just throw a small moving blanket over it at night (without hindering airflow).

Norcold frig propane starting solution

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