Norcold N400, N500, N510 Owner's Manual

Owner ’s Manual

For model N400 - a 4.5 cu. ft., 2-way or 3-way, refrigerator . For model N500 - a 5.5 cu. ft., 2-way or 3-way, refrigerator . For model N510 - a 5.5 cu. ft., 2-way or 3-way, refrigerator .

The model numbers of 3-way refrigerators include “.3”. The model numbers of 2-way models do not.

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.

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. 622266C (6-02)

NORCOLD - Gas Absorption 3 Year Limited

Warranty Policy

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

Flip-up shelf ........................................................................ 4

Door bins ............................................................................. 5

Freezer compartment .......................................................... 5

Operation during travel........................................................ 5

Door latch for travel and storage......................................... 5

Temperature control system (N510 models) ..................... 5

Operating the Refrigerator Controls (N400 models) ................. 5

Control Panel ...................................................................... 5

Ignition - propane gas operation ........................................ 6

Do a test of the gas safety valve.......................................... 6

Start up - AC operation......................................................... 6

Start up - DC operation (N400.3 models)........................... 6

Shut down ........................................................................... 6

Operating the Refrigerator Controls (N500 models) ................. 6

Control Panel ...................................................................... 6

Ignition - propane gas operation ........................................ 7

Do a test of the gas safety valve.......................................... 7

Start up - AC operation......................................................... 7

Start up - DC operation (N500.3 models)........................... 7

Shut down ........................................................................... 7

Operating the Refrigerator Controls (N510 models) ................. 7

Control Panel ...................................................................... 7

Automatic mode operation .................................................. 8

Removing the air from the propane gas supply lines ........ 8

Set the controls to automatic mode operation ................... 8

Set the controls to manual mode operation ....................... 9

Backup operating system ................................................... 9

DC Operation Precautions (N400.3, N500.3, and

N510. 3 models) ................................................................ 10

DC Operation Guidelines (N400.3, N500.3, and

N510. 3 models) ................................................................ 10

Effects of High Altitude on Propane Gas Operation................. 10

Refrigerator Care Checklist ..................................................... 10

Defrosting ................................................................................. 10

N510 Models only ..............................................................11

Cleaning ....................................................................................11

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

Refrigerator Maintenance Checklist .........................................11

Refrigerator Storage ................................................................. 12

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

Gas flame appearance ..................................................... 12

Remove and clean the burner orifice ............................... 12

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

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

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

Wiring Pictorial (N400 models)................................................ 14

Wiring Diagram (N400 models) .............................................. 14

Wiring Pictorial (N500 models)................................................ 14

Wiring Diagram (N500 models) .............................................. 14

Wiring Pictorial (N510 models)................................................ 14

Wiring Diagram (N510 models) .............................................. 14

Fault Codes (N510 models) .................................................... 15

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.

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.

LIMIT ATION OF REMEDY

1. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF NORCOLD UNDER THIS OR ANY WARRANTY IS LIMITED T O THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT (A T NORCOLD’S OPTION) OF THE DEFECTIVE PART OR ASSEMBL Y.

Owner’s Manual 2

2. IN NO EVENT AND UNDER NO CIRCUMST ANCES 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 INCIDENT AL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, HOWEVER DENOMINATED OR DESCRIBED. THE REMEDY UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS LIMITED TO REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR.

3. SOME ST ATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITA TION OF INCIDENT AL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MA Y NOT APPL Y TO YOU.

DISCLAIMER OF OTHER WARRANTIES

THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSL Y 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 P ARTICULAR 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.

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.

- 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.

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

CAUTION: This signal word means a hazard, which if

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

Safety Instructions

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 anything, especially 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.

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 Y our Refrigerator

Storage Volume:

This refrigerator is made to store fresh and frozen foods and for making ice.

N400 N500 and N510 Total capacity 4.50 cubic feet 5.50 cubic feet Freezer capacity .81 cubic feet .81 cubic feet Food compartment capacity 3.69 cubic feet 4.69 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.

- 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.

Owner’s Manual 4

Operation during travel:

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

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 an authorized Norcold Service Center.

For the best cooling performance:

T emperature control system (N510 models):

- 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.

Flip-up shelf:

The flip-up shelf supplies a space to store tall bottles. To use the flip-up shelf, lift the center of the shelf and fold it up against the inside wall of the refrigerator.

Door Bins:

You may put the door bins [1] of the fresh food compartment in a location that best meets your need (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.

Freezer compartment:

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.

Although the refrigerator is not frost -free, it is made to limit frost on the cooling fins. At regular intervals, the temperature control system automatically melts most of the frost from the cooling fins. The water from the cooling fins 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.

Operating the Refrigerator Controls (N400 models)

Control panel:

Thermostat........................................................................... 1

Selector switch .....................................................................2

Piezo lighter .........................................................................3

Gas safety valve ...................................................................4

Flame meter ........................................................................ 5

The thermostat [1] (See Art01280) 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.

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.

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].

- Keep the refrigerator full.

- Put foods that are more likely to freeze on the lower shelf.

The selector switch [2] changes the energy source of the refrigerator between propane gas ( electric ( ), and OFF ( ).

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 propane gas tank, blow out, etc.) closes the safety valve and stops the flow of propane 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.

), AC electric ( ), DC

Owner’s Manual 5

Ignition - propane gas operation:

Start up - AC operation:

1. Open the valve at the propane gas storage tank.

2. Turn the thermostat [1] to the 5 position.

3. Turn the selector switch [2] to the propane gas position (

4. Push and hold in the safety valve [4] and push in the igniter [3] 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.

- When a flame is present and the flame meter [5] moves into

the green area, wait about five seconds and release the safety valve.

- Make sure that 120 volts AC is available.

- Turn the selector switch to the AC position (

- Turn the thermostat to the temperature setting that you wish.

Start up - DC operation (3-way model N400.3):

- Make sure that 12 volts DC is available.

- Turn the selector switch to the DC position (

Shut down:

- Turn the selector switch to the OFF position ( ).

Operating the Refrigerator Controls (N500 models)

Control panel:

- 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 Art00975].

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.

Thermostat........................................................................... 1

Selector switch .....................................................................2

Gas safety valve ...................................................................3

Flame indicator .................................................................... 4

The thermostat [1] (See Art01281) 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.