Norcold 121X User Manual

Owner’s Manual

!

for the 121X AC series of RV Refrigerators

The letter “X”, in the model numbers above, stands for a letter or numeral which means a

refrigerator option.

WARNING: Improper installation, adjustment, alteration, service or maintenance

can cause injury or property damage. Refer to this manual. For

assistance or additional information, contact a qualied installer or

service agency

FOR YOUR SAFETY

Do not store or use gasoline or other ammable vapors and liquid in the

vicinity of this or any other appliance.

NORCOLD, Inc.
P.O. Box 4248
Sidney, OH 45365-4248

English

Norcold Customer Support Dept.

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Web Site: www.norcold.com

Part No. 632264A (11-07)

Table of Contents

For dened Warranty Terms, please see the one page warranty statement included in the product information packet.

Safety Awareness ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Safety Instructions ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

About Your Refrigerator ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Storage volume .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Leveling ......................................................................................................................................................................................................

Operation during travel .........................................................................................................................................................................

Food compartment ...............................................................................................................................................................................

Freezer compartments .........................................................................................................................................................................

Door handles ........................................................................................................................................................................................

Movable door seal ................................................................................................................................................................................

Crispers ................................................................................................................................................................................................

Tall bottle and gallon storage drawer

Door bins ..............................................................................................................................................................................................

Adjustable shelves ...............................................................................................................................................................................

Interior light

Door alarm
Moisture reduction heater

Temperature control system .................................................................................................................................................................

Backup operating system .....................................................................................................................................................................

Temperature switch monitor .................................................................................................................................................................

Operating the Refrigerator Controls ............................................................................................................................................................ 7

Control panel ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Ice Maker (Optional) .................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Ice maker operation

Refrigerator Care Checklist ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Defrosting .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Cleaning 12

Interior ................................................................................................................................................................................................

Drip tray ..............................................................................................................................................................................................

Metal doors

Door Sealing ...............................................................................................................................................................................................11

Refrigerator Storage ...................................................................................................................................................................................11

Refrigerator Maintenance Checklist ......................................................................................................................................................... 12

Ice Maker Storage (Optional) .................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Remove the Refrigerator ........................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Reinstall the Refrigerator ........................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Replacement Parts .................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Fault Codes ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Wiring Diagram and Pictorial ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Ice Maker Wiring Pictorial and Diagram (Optional) ................................................................................................................................... 16

........................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

........................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

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.............................................................................................................................................................................. 8

..........................................................................................................................................................................................11

.................................................................................................................................................... 5

10
10

3
3
3
4
4
4
4

5
5

6
6
7

Owner’s Manual 2

Safety Awareness

!!!!!

Read this manual carefully and understand the contents before
you use the refrigerator.

Be aware of possible safety hazards when you see the safety
alert symbol on the refrigerator and in this manual. A signal word
follows the safety alert symbol and identies the danger of the
hazard. Carefully read the descriptions of these signal words to
fully know their meanings. They are for your safety.

WARNING: This signal word means a hazard, which if

ignored, can cause dangerous personal injury, death, or
much property damage.

CAUTION: This signal word means a hazard, which if

ignored, can cause small personal injury or much property
damage.

Safety Instructions

- The refrigerator cooling system is under pressure. Do
not try to repair or to recharge a defective cooling
system. The cooling system contains sodium chromate.
The breathing of certain chromium compounds can
cause cancer. The cooling system contents can cause
severe skin and eye burns, and can ignite and burn with
an intense ame. Do not bend, drop, weld, move, drill,
puncture, or hit the cooling system.

- At regular intervals, make sure that the refrigerator
vent areas and the ventilation air pathway between the
vents are completely free from any ammable material
or blockage. After a period of storage, it is especially
important to check these areas for any ammable
material or blockage caused by animals.

CAUTION:

- The rear of the refrigerator has sharp edges and
corners. To prevent cuts or abrasions when working on
the refrigerator, be careful and wear cut resistant gloves.

About Your Refrigerator

WARNING:

- The storage of ammable materials behind or around
the refrigerator creates a re hazard. Do not use the
area behind the refrigerator to store anything, especially
ammable materials (gasoline, cleaning supplies, etc.)

- Do not remove the round ground prong from the
AC power cord of the refrigerator or the ice maker
(optional). Do not use a two prong adapter or an

extension cord with either AC power cord.

- A circuit overload can result in an electrical re if the
wires and/or fuses are not the correct size. Use only
the wire and fuse sizes as writtten in the “Installation

Manual”.

- Incorrect installation, adjustment, change to, or
maintenance of this refrigerator can cause personal
injury, property damage, or both. Have service and
maintenance work done by your dealer or by an Norcold
authorized service center.

- Disconnect both the AC and DC power sources before
doing any maintenance work on the refrigerator. All
service work on this refrigerator must be done by a
qualied service technician.

- Do not bypass or change the refrigerator’s electrical
components or features.

- When you discard an appliance, remove all doors to
prevent accidental entrapment and suffocation.

Storage Volume:

This refrigerator is made for storage of foods and frozen food and
for making ice.

Total capacity 12.0 cubic feet
Freezer Compartments 3.6 cubic feet total
Fresh Food Compartment 8.4 cubic feet

Leveling:

CAUTION: The refrigerator is made to operate within

3° off level side-to-side and 6° off level front-to-back (as
looking at the front of the refrigerator). Operating it at more
than these limits can cause damage to the cooling system
and create a risk of personal injury or property damage.
Make sure the vehicle is level before you operate the
refrigerator.

Operation during travel:

While the refrigerator should be level when the vehicle is
stopped, performance during travel is not usually effected.

Food compartment:

Start up the refrigerator (see “Operating the Refrigerator
Controls”)and let it cool for eight hours before loading with food.
If the refrigerator does not start to cool down after about two
hours, contact your dealer or a Norcold authorized service center.

- Do not spray liquids near electrical outlets, connections,

or the refrigerator components. Many liquids are
electrically conductive and can cause a shock hazard,
electrical shorts, and in some cases re.

Owner’s Manual 3

For the best cooling performance:

Art00990

Art00991

55

56

Art01789

134

Art01790

137136

135

138

- Let air move freely inside the entire food compartment.

- Do not cover the shelves with plastic, paper, etc.

To decrease the amount of ice that collects on the cooling ns:

- Cover all liquids and moist foods.

- Let all hot foods cool before putting them in the refrigerator.

- Do not open the door any longer than necessary.

Freezer compartments:

The freezer compartments are made to keep pre-frozen food frozen and not to quick freeze
food.

NOTE: Do not put other items on the ice tray while the water is freezing. The water freezes

more rapidly if the thermostat is at the COLDEST position.

Door handles:

During travel, the door latch prevents the door from opening. When closing each door, push
the door toward the refrigerator until you hear a “click” sound.

To open each door, pull the handle away from the refrigerator (See Art00990).

During storage, the storage latch prevents the door from completely closing. Use it to prevent odors when
the refrigerator is stored for an extended period of time.

To operate the storage latch (see Art00991), open each door about 1/2 inch, hold the door handle in the
open position , and push the storage latch [55] into the cutout [56] of the strike plate. Do not use the
storage latch as a travel latch because the doors will not be fully closed.

Movable door seal:

The movable door seal [134] is located on the left door of the fresh food compartment (See Art01109). It
provides the correct seal when both doors of the fresh food compartment are closed. When the left door of
the fresh food compartment opens, the movable door seal moves so that it is at against the edge of the
door. To avoid possible damage to the movable door seal, make sure that it is at against the edge of the
door before you close the door

Crispers:

The crispers are located at the bottom left side of the fresh food compartment and
supply a storage area to preserve fruit and vegetable freshness. Make sure that you
always push the crispers fully in. The glass crisper covers are made so that you can
remove them.

NOTE: Do not wash the crispers in a dishwasher. The crispers are not dishwasher

safe.

To remove the glass crisper covers [135] (See Art01118):

- Remove the crispers [136].

Owner’s Manual 4

- Remove the screw from the top right side of the crisper support wall [137].

Art00992

54

41

52

Art01798

Art00988

57

58

59

- Remove the screws [41] from the retainer [54] on the left side of the refrigerator (See Art00992).

- Remove the retainer.

- Remove the glass crisper covers.

- Remove the crisper support wall.

Tall bottle and gallon storage drawer:

The tall bottle and gallon storage drawer [138] is located at the bottom right side of the fresh food
compartment and supplies a storage area for items such as 2-liter bottles or gallon milk containers
(See Art01118). This drawer has a divider which prevents items from moving and/or overturning
while the vehicle is in transit. Make sure that you always push the drawer fully in.

The divider ts down into grooves on the inside of the drawer. The divider also ts at the rear of the
drawer so that you can use all of the capacity of the drawer.

NOTE: Do not wash the drawer or divider in a dishwasher. The drawer and divider are not
dishwasher safe.

Door bins:

You may put the door bins [52] of the freezer and fresh food compartment in a location that best
meets your needs (See Art01114). To remove the bins, lift them over the locator and pull them
forward. To install the bins, push them onto the locator.

NOTE: Do not wash the door bins in a dishwasher. The door bins are not dishwasher safe.

Adjustable shelves:

The shelves in the freezer and the fresh food compartment are made so you can remove them or
move them.

To remove or move the shelf of the freezer:

- Pull the shelf forward out of the slot.

- Push it fully into the slot that you wish.

To remove or move the shelves of the fresh food compartment:

- Remove the screws [41] from each retainer [54] on the side of the refrigerator (See

Art00992).

- Remove both retainers.

- Pull each shelf forward out of the slot.

- Push each fully into the slot that you wish.

- Install both retainers with the screws.

Owner’s Manual 5

Interior light:

The interior light is at the top of the fresh food compartment. It comes on when the refrigerator is ON and the door is open. To replace

the bulb:

1. Remove the DC power supply wires from the power board at the rear of the refrigerator.

2. Remove the cover [57] by pulling it toward the front of the refrigerator (See Art00988).

3. Remove the light bulb [58] from the holder [59].

NOTE: Use only a GE#214-2 bulb as the replacement bulb. This bulb is available at most retail automotive parts centers.

4. Install the replacement bulb.

5. Install the cover.

6. Connect the DC power supply wires to the power board at the rear of the refrigerator.

Door alarm:

The refrigerator has an alarm to alert you if the fresh food compartment door is not closed. The refrigerator continues to operate, but if
the fresh food compartment door is open and the interior light remains on for two minutes:

- An audible alarm starts.

- “dr” appears in the center display.

- The interior light automatically turns off.

Close the door to silence the alarm.

Moisture reduction heaters:

The refrigerator has heaters that prevent moisture from forming on the center divider between the two doors of the freezer compartment
and on the movable door seal. The heaters operate only when the refrigerator is ON and the DC power is sufcient. The heater in the
movable door seal also only operates when the left door of the fresh food compartment is closed.

Temperature control system:

Although the refrigerator is not frost -free, it is made to limit frost on the cooling ns. At regular intervals, the temperature control system
automatically melts most of the frost from the cooling ns. The water from the cooling ns drains into a collection cup that is attached
to the back of the refrigerator. The heat of the cooling system evaporates the water from the collection cup.

Backup operating system:

This refrigerator has a backup operating system. The backup operating system allows the refrigerator to continue to cool if the
temperature sensor of the refrigerator should fail.

If this failure occurs:

- The refrigerator automatically changes to the backup operating system.

- When you push the SET TEMP button, the temperature setting ashes in the center display for ten seconds.

- After ten seconds, the temperature setting will go out and only a green power ON light remains.

- The backup operating system can overfreeze or thaw the contents of the freezer and the fresh food compartment.

- Make sure the temperatures of the freezer and the fresh food compartment are satisfactory.

Owner’s Manual 6

NOTE: If you open the door(s) too often, the temperatures inside the freezer

Art01851

142

1 COLD-9 COLDEST

SET TEMP MODE ON / OFF

on

30

32

33

Art01333

31

and fresh food compartment do not become stable. Allow the
refrigerator to operate for about one hour after each adjustment
change before you examine the contents. The number “9” is the
coldest temperature setting.

- If the temperature is too warm, push and hold the SET TEMP button to
raise the temperature setting by one number.

- If the temperature is too cold, push and hold the SET TEMP button to
lower the temperature setting by one number.

- Have the refrigerator serviced by your dealer or a Norcold authorized Service

Center as soon as possible.

Temperature switch monitor:

The refrigerator is equipped with a temperature switch [142] for overheating protection
(See Art01851) . A Norcold authorized service technician can determine if this switch
has been triggered.

Operating the Refrigerator Controls

AC Operation 120 volts AC (108 volts min.-132 volts max.)
12 volts DC - control voltage (10.5 volts min. - 15.4 volts max.)

The refrigerator operates on these energy sources. Operation out of these limits can damage the refrigerator electrical components
and will void the warranty.

Control panel:

The refrigerator control panel (See Art01333) is
between the freezer compartment and the fresh
food compartment. To maintain the operating
control functions of the refrigerator, a 12 volt
DC power supply is necessary. The refrigerator
receives DC power from the 12 volt system of the
vehicle; either an auxillary battery, a converter, or
the vehicle engine battery.

The ON / OFF button [30] starts and shuts down
the refrigerator:

- To turn on the refrigerator, push and release

the ON / OFF button.

- To turn off the refrigerator, push the ON / OFF button for one second and then release.

The SET TEMP button [32] controls the temperature adjustment of the freezer and the fresh food compartment.

- Push the SET TEMP button and the temperature setting (the numbers “1-9”) show in the center display [33].

- The number “9” is the coldest temperature setting.

- Push and hold the SET TEMP button and the temperature setting changes.

- Release the SET TEMP button when the temperature setting that you wish appears.

- After ten seconds, the temperature setting will go out and only a green power ON light remains.

Owner’s Manual 7

NOTE: Push and release the MODE button [4] to show “AC”, the current mode of operation, in the center display for 10 seconds.

!

!

- If 120 volts AC is not available to the refrigerator:

- The fault codes “no” “AC” shows in the center display and an audible alarm sounds.

If 120 volts AC is available to the refrigerator, but is not operating correctly:

- A fault code shows in the center display.

- An audible alarm starts.

- Refer to the “Fault Codes” section of this manual.

- If 120 volts AC is not available to the refrigerator:

- The fault codes “no” “AC” shows in the center display and an audible alarm sounds.

If 120 volts AC is available to the refrigerator, but is not operating correctly:

- A fault code shows in the center display.

- An audible alarm starts.

- Refer to the “Fault Codes” section of this manual.

Ice Maker (Optional)

The ice maker is assembled to the refrigerators at the factory as optional equipment. If the refrigerator does not have a factory installed
ice maker, one cannot be added to the refrigerator at a later time.

The ice maker is fully automatic and will operate in ambient temperatures as low as 0° F. To allow operation at temperatures between
0° F and 32° F., the ice maker has a heater on the solenoid water valve and on the water line between the solenoid valve and the ice
maker. At temperatures below 0° F, store the ice maker as written in the “Ice Maker Storage” section of this manual.

CAUTION: The water line heater does not protect the water supply line from the vehicle shut off valve to the solenoid valve on

the back of the refrigerator.

When the freezer temperature of the refrigerator is low enough, the ice maker opens the water solenoid valve and lls the mold. The
ice maker ejects the frozen ice into a storage bin. As the storage bin lls, the ice raises the shut-off arm until it turns off the ice maker.
As you use the ice and lower the ice level in the storage bin, the shut-off arm also lowers. This turns the ice maker ON and begins the
process of making ice.

The ice maker operates on:

- Cold potable water at a pressure of 15 psi - 125 psi.

- 120 Volts AC (108 VAC min. - 132 VAC max.).

Ice maker operation:

1. Make sure the ice maker AC power cord is plugged into a receptacle.

2. Open the water shut off valve of the vehicle.

NOTE: Make sure that the ice maker arm can move freely and does not touch the frozen foods in the freezer.

3. Push the ice maker arm down to the ON position [60] (See Art01015).

CAUTION: If you operate the refrigerator without connecting the water supply line and/or opening the water shut off valve of

the vehicle, make sure the ice maker arm is up in the OFF position.

Owner’s Manual 8

4. Allow the freezer to cool enough and ice production will begin to ll the storage bin [61.

NOTE: New plumbing connections and/or impurities in the water supply line after winterizing can cause the rst ice to be discolored or

have an odd avor.

5. To stop the ice maker, push the ice maker arm up to the OFF position [62].

Refrigerator Care Checklist

Your refrigerator will give you years of trouble free service if you do these simple checks every three to six months:

- Keep the food compartment and the freezer clean. See “Cleaning”.

- Defrost the refrigerator as necessary. See “Defrosting”.

- Make sure the door seals correctly. See “Door Sealing“.

- Be aware of any cooling changes that are not because of weather, loading, or control changes. If changes occur, contact your
dealer or service center.

- Make sure the air ow in the lower intake vent, through the refrigerator coils and condenser, and out the upper exhaust vent is not
blocked or decreased.

- Make sure the area behind the refrigerator is clear. Do not use the area behind the refrigerator for storage of anything, especially
combustible materials, especially gasoline and other ammable vapors and liquids.

Defrosting

The cooling ns of the refrigerator operate at below freezing temperature and will naturally form frost from humidity, which is always
present in the air. The humidity inside the refrigerator increases:

- with higher outside temperature and humidity.

- with the storage of non-sealed fresh foods or warm foods.

- with the amount of time that the door(s) are open.

- with any air leakage into the refrigerator.

Although the refrigerator is not frost -free, it is made to limit frost on the cooling ns. At regular intervals, the temperature control system
automatically melts most of the frost from the cooling ns. The water from the cooling ns drains into a collection cup that is attached to
the back of the refrigerator. The heat of the cooling system evaporates the water from the collection cup.

It is normal for frost to collect inside the freezer. Excess frost decreases the cooling performance of the refrigerator. Defrost the
refrigerator and freezer as necessary:

- Remove all food from the refrigerator.

- Turn the refrigerator OFF.

NOTE: Defrosting the refrigerator makes excess water inside the refrigerator.

- Remove the drain hose from the drip cup at the rear of the refrigerator.

- Put the drain hose into a half-gallon or larger container to capture water.

Owner’s Manual 9

- Put dry towels (etc.) inside the refrigerator and freezer to absorb melted frost.

!

CAUTION: High temperatures can cause the inside surfaces of the refrigerator to warp or melt. Do not use pans of HOT

water, a hair dryer, or any other high temperature devices to defrost the refrigerator. Do not use any hard or sharp objects to
remove frost. Damage to the interior of the refrigerator can occur.

- To increase the speed of defrosting, put pans of WARM water in the refrigerator and freezer.

- Remove the wet towels (etc.) and dry the interior.

- Remove the drain hose from the large container and put the drain hose back into the drip cup.

- Remove the large container from the enclosure.

- Start up the refrigerator.

- Allow the refrigerator to cool down.

- Return all food to the refrigerator.

Cleaning

Interior:

A good time to clean the refrigerator is just after you defrost it. Clean the inside of the refrigerator as often as necessary to avoid food

odors:

- Remove all food from the refrigerator.

NOTE: Do not use abrasive cleaners, chemicals, or scouring pads because they can damage the interior of the refrigerator.

- Wash the interior with a mild cleaner or a solution of liquid dish detergent and warm water.

- Rinse with a solution of baking soda and clean water.

- Dry with clean cloth.

- Put all food in the refrigerator.

Drip tray:

To remove and clean the drip tray:

- Remove the screws [41] from the retainers [54] on each side of the refrigerator (See Art00992).

- Remove the retainers.

- Pull the self that is in front of the drip tray forward to remove from the refrigerator

- Make sure that the drip tray is empty of water.

- Pull the drip tray out of the drain hose.

- Pull the drip tray forward to remove from the slots in the refrigerator cabinet.

- Clean the drip tray.

Owner’s Manual 10