Norcold N300 Operating Manual
Installation and Owner’s Manual
For model N300 - a 2.7 cu. ft., 2-way or 3-way, refrigerator.
WARNING: Improper installation, adjustment, alteration, service or mainte-
nance can cause injury or property damage. Refer to this manual.
For assistance or additional information, contact a qualified installer, service agency, or the gas supplier.
FOR YOUR SAFETY
Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors and liquid in
the vicinity of this or any other appliance.
FOR YOUR SAFETY
If you smell gas:
1. Open windows.
2. Don’t touch electrical switches.
3. Extinguish any open flame.
4. Immediately call your gas supplier.
WARNING: DO NOT install this refrigerator in below deck
marine applications. Do not install this refrigerator in fixed
indoor cabin or other dwelling applications. This refrigerator
must use only NORCOLD designed and approved outside air
intake and exhaust ventilation for correct and safe operation.
Any other ventilation could cause lethal combustion exhaust
fumes and/or explosive propane gas fumes to be in the living
area and/or to be below deck.
NORCOLD, Inc.
P.O. Box 4248
Sidney, OH 45365-4248
English
French
Norcold Customer Support Dept.
Telephone: 800-543-1219
Fax: 937-497-3183
Web Site: www.norcold.com
Part No. 620840F (11-01)
Table of Contents
NORCOLD - Gas Absorption 3 Year Limited
Warranty Policy
Owner’s Manual ........................................................................ 2
Gas Absorption 3 Year Limited Warranty Policy.................. 2
Gas Absorption Warranty Information ................................. 3
Gas Absorption Warranty Questions .................................. 3
Safety Awareness................................................................ 4
Safety Instuctions ................................................................ 4
About Your Refrigerator ....................................................... 4
Storage volume ............................................................ 4
Leveling........................................................................ 4
Food compartment ...................................................... 4
Freezer compartment ................................................... 5
Operation during travel ................................................ 5
Door latch for travel and storage ................................. 5
Ignition and Start Up............................................................ 5
Controls........................................................................ 5
Ignition - propane gas operation ................................. 5
Do a test of the gas safety valve .................................. 5
Start up - AC operation ................................................. 5
Start up - DC operation (3-way models only)............... 6
DC Operation Precautions .......................................... 6
DC Operation Guidelines ............................................ 6
Shut down .................................................................... 6
Refrigerator Care Checklist ................................................ 5
Defrosting and Cleaning ..................................................... 6
Defrosting..................................................................... 6
Cleaning....................................................................... 6
Door Sealing ....................................................................... 7
Refrigerator Maintenance Checklist ................................... 7
Refrigerator Maintrenance .................................................. 7
Gas flame appearance ................................................ 7
Remove and clean the burner orifice .......................... 7
Remove the Refrigerator ..................................................... 8
Reinstall the Refrigerator .................................................... 8
Wiring Pictorial .................................................................... 9
Wiring Diagram ................................................................... 9
Replacement Parts ............................................................. 9
Norcold • P.O. Box 4248 • Sidney, OH • USA • 45365-4248
Provided it is properly installed, properly maintained and placed
under normal service and use, Norcold, Inc. warrants its
refrigeration equipment to be free from defects in material and
workmanship for three years with respect to the equipment’s
component parts, and for two years with respect to the labor to
repair or replace such parts, commencing from the original date
of purchase.
Limitations of warranty
1. This Warranty applies only to Norcold gas absorption
refrigerator operating equipment. This Warranty does not
extend to glassware, electric light bulbs, and replaceable
fuses.
2. This warranty does not apply to parts and assemblies that
have been subjected to misuse, improper installation,
improper or abnormal service, transit damage, recharging of
the cooling system, accident, fire, improper repair, tampering
or abuse.
3. Irrespective of the nature of the warranty protection offered or
claimed, the period of warranty shall in no case extend
beyond three years for component parts and two years for the
labor to repair or replace such parts, commencing from the
original date of purchase of the new equipment.
4. In order to obtain the remedy of repair and replacement, the
refrigerator must be brought to any Norcold Service Center for
warranty service. The end consumer is responsible for all
expenses resulting from any remote service call if the
refrigerator cannot be brought into the Norcold service center.
Installation Manual ................................................................... 9
Safety Awareness ............................................................... 9
Safety Instructions ............................................................... 9
Certification and Code Requirements .............................. 10
Ventilation Requirements ................................................. 10
Assemble the Enclosure ................................................... 11
Install the Lower and Upper Vents.....................................11
Install the Refrigerator ....................................................... 12
Installation Options ........................................................... 12
Install the decorative door panel ............................... 12
Reverse the door swing ............................................. 12
Connect the Electrical Components ................................. 13
Connect the 120 volts AC supply ............................... 1 3
Connect the 12 volts DC supply (3-way models only)13
Connect the chassis ground .................................... 1 3
Connect the Propane Gas Components .......................... 13
Connect the gas supply system ................................ 13
Examine the gas supply system for leaks ................ 14
Installation and Owner’s Manual 2
5. It is the responsibility of the end consumer to have maintenance performed upon the warranted equipment one time
during the second year or before the beginning of the third
year after original purchase. Such maintenance is required to
maintain this warranty in effect and failure to perform such
maintenance will void the remainder of the warranty. Required maintenance during the second year or before the
third year after purchase is cleaning and checking of the
following: Burner, Flue, Spiral Baffle, Roof Cap Screen, and
Control Board Sequence.
Limitation of remedy
1. The responsibility of Norcold under this or any warranty is
limited to the repair or replacement (at Norcold’s option) of
the defective part or assembly.
2. In no event and under no circumstances shall Norcold be
responsible under this limited warranty for any other charge
whatsoever, including but not limited to charges or claims for
labor, lost business, lost time, lost profits, loss of use, or any
kind of incidental or consequential damages, however
denominated or described. The remedy under this warranty
is limited to replacement or repair.
3. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, so the above exclusion
may not apply to you.
Disclaimer of other warranties
This warranty is expressly in lieu of all other warranties either
expressed or implied. All other warranties, expressed or
implied, including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose, are hereby disclaimed and excluded.
Legal rights
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have
other legal rights, which vary from state to state.
Gas Absorption Warranty Information
Your refrigerator is made to provide the ultimate in cooling
satisfaction and will serve you reliably in the years to come.
Norcold refrigerators are the only RV refrigerators made in the
United States and offer a standard limited three-year warranty.
Norcold also offers an additional warranty coverage plan which
extends the standard limited three-year warranty. To activate
your three-year limited warranty and to receive an invitation to
participate in the extended warranty plan, complete and mail the
warranty registration supplied.
Help us to help you.
Write the model number and serial number below for future
reference. These numbers are on the serial plate in the
refrigerator. The serial plate is located in the fresh food
compartment on the top right hand side. Use these numbers
when receiving service or in any correspondence concerning
your refrigerator.
Model number ___________ Serial number ___________
If a problem occurs with your refrigerator, contact any of the
service centers throughout the United States and Canada. To
find an authorized Norcold Service Center near you, please
telephone the Norcold Customer Support Dept. at 800-5431219 (option-1) or visit our web site at www.norcold.com.
Norcold is committed to providing products that are in harmony
with the environment. Your Norcold refrigerator meets all
environmental safety standards.
Gas Absorption Warranty Questions
This warranty is the only warranty for your Norcold refrigerator.
There are no other express warranties. The only uses for this
product are described in this manual. Part or model specifications are subject to change without notice.
What does this warranty cover?
This warranty covers labor and U.P.S. ground transportation
costs incurred in removing and reinstalling the refrigerator
when necessary to replace a defective part and any parts
replaced under warranty (including cooling units).
What is not covered by this warranty?
- Travel expenses for bringing the refrigerator to an authorized Norcold Service Center for warranty coverage.
- Additional costs caused by the inability to bring the
refrigerator to an authorized Norcold Service Center.
- Defects which are caused by transit damage, misuse,
neglect, or accident.
- Manufacturing defects found at the time of purchase, parts
replaced under warranty, and associated labor, which the
original consumer-purchaser do not communicate to
Norcold within 30 days.
- Labor, performed without need for parts replacements,
which the original consumer-purchaser does not communicate to Norcold within 30 days.
- Defects in glassware, electric light bulbs, or replacement
fuses.
- Defects caused by improper installation, maintenance, or
adjustment.
- Normal maintenance of this refrigerator as described in this
manual.
- Defects caused by the improper use of parts or parts not
manufactured or supplied by Norcold for repairs or replacements to the refrigerator.
Norcold will not be liable for any incidental or consequential
loss or damage, due directly or indirectly to the use of this
product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation
of incidental or consequential damages, so the above may
not apply to you.
How long does this warranty last?
This warranty is effective for a period of two years from date of
purchase or for a period of three years from date of puchase if
the required maintenance is done.
What will Norcold do?
Norcold will provide free service and replacement of defective
parts, at no charge, at all authorized Norcold Service Centers.
Norcold has the option of replacing the defective parts or the
entire refrigerator. If the refrigerator is replaced, Norcold is
not responsible for replacing dealer installed options.
How do you get service?
Bring the refrigerator to any authorized Norcold Service Center
and:
- Show proof that the defective item is within warranty
coverage.
- Show proof that required maintenance has been performed
if applicable. Required maintenance during the second
year or before the third year after purchase is cleaning and
checking of the Burner, Flue, Spiral Baffle, Roof Cap
Screen, and Control Board Sequence.
If you are unable to bring the refrigerator to an authorized
Norcold Service Center:
- Send a written notice of the defect to Norcold.
- Norcold will promptly advise you how to obtain warranty
service.
What rights do you have?
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also
have other rights which vary from state to state.
Installation and Owner’s Manual 3
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 identifies 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 flame. Do not bend, drop, weld,
move, drill. puncture, or hit the cooling system.
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.
- Make sure all fasteners and connections are tight.
About Y our Refrigerator
Storage Volume:
WARNING:
- The storage of flammable materials behind or around
the refrigerator creates a fire hazard. Do not use the
area behind the refrigerator to store flammable
materials (gasoline, cleaning supplies, etc.)
- Do not remove the round ground prong from the
refrigerator AC power cord. Do not use a two prong
adapter or extension cord on the AC power cord.
- A circuit overload can result in an electrical fire if the
wires and/or fuses are not the correct size. Either use
the wire and fuse sizes as writtten in the “Installation
Manual” or refer to your local codes or the applicable
RVIA Standards for the correct wire and fuse sizes.
- 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
qualified 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.
- 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 fire.
This refrigerator is made to store fresh and frozen foods and for
making ice.
Total capacity 2.7 cubic feet
Freezer capacity .4 cubic feet
Food compartment capacity 2.3 cubic feet
Leveling:
CAUTION:
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.
The refrigerator is made to operate within 3°
Food compartment:
Ignite or start up the refrigerator 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.
For the best cooling performance:
- 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 fins:
- 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.
Installation and Owner’s Manual 4
Freezer compartment:
- Put foods that are more likely to freeze on the upper shelf.
The freezer compartment is made to keep pre-frozen food
frozen and not to quick freeze food. Keep pre-frozen foods in
the freezer compartment.
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 temperature setting.
Operation during travel:
While the refrigerator should be level when the vehicle is
stopped, performance during travel is not usually effected.
Door latch for travel and storage:
During travel, the door latch prevents the door from opening.
There are no chains, slides, or any devices that you must
engage.
During storage, the door latch prevents the door from completely closing. Use it to prevent odors when the refrigerator is
shut down for a long period of time.
To use the door latch for storage (See Art00979):
- Open the door just so the door latch [1] is between the ribs
[2] of the latch plate [3].
Ignition and Start Up
The selector switch [2] changes the energy source of the
refrigerator between propane gas (
electric (
The gas safety valve [3] is built into the control panel. As long
as a flame is present, the valve is open and allows propane
gas to flow into the burner. Any loss of flame (empty gas tank,
blow out, etc.) closes the safety valve and stops the flow of gas.
The piezo igniter [4] makes a spark which ignites the flame in
the burner.
The flame meter [5] shows if a flame is present in the burner.
), and OFF ( ).
), AC electric ( ), DC
Ignition - propane gas operation:
1. Open the valve at the gas storage tank.
2. Turn the thermostat to the 5 position.
3. Turn the selector switch to the propane gas position (
4. Push and hold in the safety valve and push in the igniter
several times in rapid succession, for about five seconds:
).
WARNING: Do not hold in the safety valve for more
than 30 seconds. If there is no flame in this time, wait at
least five minutes before you try ignition again. If you
continue to hold in the safety valve, gas will collect in the
burner area. This could cause a fire or explosion and
result in dangerous personal injury or death.
Controls:
Thermostat...........................................................................1
Selector switch ..................................................................... 2
Gas safety valve ................................................................... 3
Piezo lighter .........................................................................4
Flame meter ........................................................................ 5
The thermostat [1] (See Art00976) changes the amount of
propane gas that goes to the burner. This acts as the temperature control of the refrigerator. Number 5 is the coldest temperature setting.
NOTE: This is not an automatic gas control. It does not change
the flame from high fire to low fire as do some RV
refrigerators. If the cooling load changes, you must
manually change the gas control to maintain the same
temperature inside the refrigerator.
When the outside air temperature is below 50° F, the refrigerator may have a tendency to freeze food at the colder temperature settings. To reduce the tendency to freeze food:
- Turn the thermostat to a warmer temperature setting.
- When a flame is present and the flame meter moves into
the green area, release the safety valve.
- If the flame meter does not move into the green area, do
this step again.
5. Turn the thermostat to the temperature setting that you wish.
Do a test of the gas safety valve:
With an established flame in GAS mode:
1. Close the manual gas shutoff valve [2] of the refrigerator
(See Art01254].
2. After the flame is extinguished, you should hear a sharp
“click” sound within three minutes.
NOTE: The gas safety valve should close with a sharp “click“
sound.
3. Open the manual gas shutoff valve of the refrigerator.
4. Without pushing in the gas control, push the igniter several
times rapidly in succession. The burner flame should not
ignite. This means that the gas safety valve is working
correctly.
Start up - AC operation:
- Make sure that 120 volts AC is available.
- Keep the refrigerator full.
- Turn the selector switch to the AC position (
- Turn the thermostat to the temperature setting that you
wish.
Installation and Owner’s Manual 5
).
Start up - DC operation (3-way models only):
- Make sure that 12 volts DC is available.
- Turn the selector switch to the DC position (
).
DC Operation Precautions:
This refrigerator is made to operate on DC power while your
vehicle is “in transit” and AC power or propane gas sources
are not available. Operate the refrigerator on DC power only
when the vehicle engine is running.
For the refrigerator to operate correctly on DC power, the battery
must be maintained in a fully charged condition. For the battery
to be fully charged at all times during refrigerator operation on
DC, the vehicle engine
be in good operating condition.
must be running and the alternator must
- Be aware of any cooling changes that are not because of
weather, loading, or gas control changes. If changes occur,
contact your dealer or service center.
- Make sure the gas supply is propane gas only and not
butane or a butane mixture.
- When in propane gas operation, examine the appearance
of the flame. See “Gas Flame Appearance”.
- Make sure the air flow in the lower intake vent, through the
refrigerator condenser and coils 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 any
combustible materials, especially gasoline and other
flammable vapors and liquids.
Keep in mind the following electrical precautions for DC
operation of the refrigerator:
- Good battery condition is necessary for correct DC operation.
- The capacity of the battery charging system must be more
than what is necessary for the refrigerator and other DC
appliances.
- While the vehicle engine is running, have a qualified service
technician make sure the voltage of the DC power supply
leads at the refrigerator is more than 11.5 VDC.
DC Operation Guidelines:
DC operation is intended only to maintain the temperature of
the refrigerator and its contents when they are already cool.
The DC operation is not intended for the initial start up and
cooling of the refrigerator. Always use either the AC operation or
propane gas operation to initially start up and cool the refrigerator. The refrigerator must be cooled and the temperature must
be steady before you operate the refrigerator on DC.
Keep in mind the following guidelines for DC operation of the
refrigerator:
- Use DC operation of the refrigerator while the vehicle is in
transit.
- Do not use DC operation until the refrigerator and its
contents are completely cooled.
Shut down:
- Turn the selector switch to the OFF position ( ).
Defrosting and Cleaning
Defrosting:
It is normal for frost to collect on the cooling fins inside the
refrigerator. Excess frost decreases the cooling performance of
the refrigerator. Defrost the refrigerator as necessary:
- Turn the selector switch to the OFF position (
- Remove all food from the refrigerator.
NOTE: Defrosting the refrigerator makes excess water inside
the refrigerator.
- Put dry towels (etc.) inside the refrigerator to absorb the
water.
- Put trays of hot water in the freezer until the frost is melted.
- Empty the drip tray.
- Remove the wet towels (etc.) and dry the interior.
- Put the drip tray and all food in the refrigerator.
- Ignite or start up the refrigerator.
Cleaning:
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:
).
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
“Defrosting and Cleaning”.
- Defrost the refrigerator as necessary. See “Defrosting and
Cleaning”.
- Make sure the door seals correctly. See “Door Sealing“.
Installation and Owner’s Manual 6
- 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 solution of liquid dish detergent
and warm water.
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