Thetford 1200 User Manual
Installation Manual
For 1200XX models: 12.0 cu.ft., 2-way, 4-door, R.V. refrigerator.
For 120X-IMXX models: 12.0 cu.ft., 2 way , 4-door, R.V. refrigerator with ice maker.
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 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 a 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.
English
French
NORCOLD, Inc.
P.O. Box 4248
Sidney, OH 45365-4248
Part No. 628936A (2-06)
Table of Contents
Safety Awareness ....................................................................... 2
Safety Instructions ...................................................................... 2
Certification and Code Requirements ....................................... 2
Ventilation Requirements ........................................................... 3
Key Refrigerator Dimensions .................................................... 3
Assemble the Enclosure for the Refrigerator ............................ 4
Install the Lower and Upper Vents ............................................. 4
Install Decorative Door Panels (non-metal door models) ........ 6
Install the Refrigerator................................................................ 6
Optional Installation ................................................................... 7
Connect the Ice Maker (optional) ............................................... 7
Connect the water supply line ............................................. 7
Connect the Electrical Components .......................................... 7
Connect the 120 volts AC supply ........................................ 8
Connect the 12 volts DC supply.......................................... 8
Connect the Propane Gas Components ................................... 8
Connect the propane gas supply system ........................... 8
Examine the propane gas supply system for leaks ........... 8
Ignition and Start Up ................................................................... 9
Set the controls to automatic mode operation ................... 9
Set the controls to manual mode operation ....................... 9
Do a test of the gas safety valve........................................ 10
Shut down ......................................................................... 10
Fault Codes ...............................................................................11
Safety Awareness
- Incorrect installation, adjustment, alteration, or maintenance of this refrigerator can cause personal injury,
property damage, or both.
- Obey the instructions in this manual to install intake and
exhaust vents.
- Do not install the refrigerator directly on carpet. Put the
refrigerator on a metal or wood panel that extends the full
width and depth of the refrigerator.
- Do not allow anything to touch the refrigerator cooling
system.
- Propane gas can ignite and cause an explosion that can
result in property damage, personal injury, or death. Do
not smoke or create sparks. Do not use an open flame
to examine the propane gas supply line for leaks. Always
use two wrenches to tighten or loosen the propane gas
supply line connections.
- Make sure the electrical installation obeys all applicable
codes. See “Certification and Code Requirements”
section.
- Do not bypass or change the refrigerator’s electrical
components or features.
- 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.
Read this manual carefully and understand the contents before
you install 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
WARNING:
- This refrigerator is not approved for use as a free
standing refrigerator. It is equipped for the use of
propane gas only and can not be changed to use any
other fuels (natural gas, butane, etc.).
- 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, use caution and wear cut resistant gloves.
Certification and Code Requirements
Installation Manual 2
This refrigerator is certified by CSA International as meeting the
latest edition of ANSI Z21.19 / CAN 1.4 standards for installation
in mobile homes or recreational vehicles.
The installation must obey these standards and this
“Installation Manual” for the NORCOLD limited warranty to be in
effect. Installation must conform with the following as
applicable:
In the United States and Canada:
The bottom of the opening for the lower intake vent, which is
also the service access door, must be even with or immediately
below the floor level. This allows any leaking propane gas to
escape to the outside and not to collect at floor level.
CSA International certification allows the refrigerator to have
zero (0) inch minimum clearance at the sides, rear, top, and
bottom. While there are no maximum clearances specified for
certification, the following maximum clearances are necessary
for correct refrigerator performance:
- Local codes, or in the absence of local codes, the National
Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54, the Natural Gas and
Propane installation Code, CSA B149.1, ANSI A119.2
Recreational Vehicles Code, and CSA Z240 RV Series,
Recreational Vehicles.
- A manufactured home (mobile home) installation must
conform with the Manufactured Home Construction and
Safety Standard, Title 24 CFR, Part 3280 [formerly the
Federal Standard for Mobile Home Construction and Safety,
Title 24 (part 280), and the current CSA Z240.4, Gasequipped Recreational Vehicles and Mobile Housing.
- If an external power source is utilized, the appliance, when
installed, must be electrically grounded in accordance with
local codes or, in the absence of local codes, the National
Electrical code, and ANSI/NFPA 70, or the Canadian
Electrical Code, CSA C22.2. Parts 1 and 2.
All propane gas supply piping and fittings must obey local,
state, and national codes about type and size. These
components must also obey the current NFPA 501C section 24, and in Canada with the current CAN 1-6.10 Standard.
Ventilation Requirements
WARNING: The completed installation must:
- Make sure there is sufficient intake of fresh air for
combustion.
- Make sure the living space is completely isolated from
the combustion system of the refrigerator.
- Make sure there is complete and unrestricted ventilation of the flue exhaust which, in gas mode, can
produce carbon monoxide. The breathing of carbon
monoxide fumes can cause dizziness, nausea, or in
extreme cases, death.
- Make sure the refrigerator is completely isolated from
its heat generating components through the correct use
of baffles and panel construction.
Bottom 0 inch min. 0 inch max.
Each Side 0 inch min. 1/2 inch max.
To p 0 inch min. 1/4 inch max.
Rear 0 inch min. 1 inch max.
These clearances plus the lower and upper vents allow the
natural air draft that is necessary for good refrigeration. Cooler
air comes in through the lower vent, goes up around the
refrigerator coils where it removes the excess heat from the
refrigerator components, and goes out through the upper vent.
The refrigerator also has two thermostat controlled fans to
move air across the cooling system. These fans turn on when
the condenser fin temperature at the thermostat is about 130° F
or higher and only when the refrigerator controls are on. These
fans turn off when the condenser fin temperature at the thermostat is about 115° F or less. Even with these fans, if the air flow
is blocked or decreased, the refrigerator will not cool correctly.
Each NORCOLD model is certified by CSA International for
correct ventilation. Install only the certified vents that are listed
in this manual.
Key Refrigerator Dimensions
These key refrigerator dimensions are for your reference as
necessary (See Art01734).
Refrigerator cabinet width w/o trim - 32.4 in. ............................. 1
Refrigerator width overall w/ trim - 35.0 in.................................. 2
Refrigerator cabinet to side trim - 1.30 in. ................................. 3
Refrigerator cabinet height w/o trim - 63.2 in............................. 4
Refrigerator height overall w/ trim - 65.1 in. ............................... 5
Refrigerator cabinet to top/bottom trim - 0.90 in. ....................... 6
Enclosure wall to hinges - 3.10 in. ............................................. 7
Refrigerator cabinet to center of handles - 40.5 in. ................... 8
Enclosure wall to door (w/dispenser) - 3.90 in...................... 123
Certified installation needs one lower intake vent and one upper
exhaust vent. Install the vents exactly as written in this manual.
Any other installation method voids both the certification and the
factory warranty of the refrigerator.
Installation Manual 3
Assemble the Enclosure for the Refrigerator
1. Make sure the enclosure is 63.25 - 63.38 inches high x 32.69
- 32.82 inches wide x 24 inches deep.
2. Make sure the enclosure shelf is solid and level. The
enclosure shelf must be:
- a metal or a wood panel and extend the full width and depth
of the enclosure.
- able to support the weight of the refrigerator and its con-
tents.
- level to maintain door alignment.
3. Install the upper exhaust vent:
CAUTION: Make sure that no sawdust, insulation, or
other construction debris is on the refrigerator or in the
enclosure. Debris can cause a combustion hazard and
prevent the refrigerator from operating correctly.
NOTE: Tighten the screws of the upper roof exhaust cap to 10
inch-pounds max. Also make sure that the air flow
around the upper roof exhaust cap is not blocked or
decreased by other roof mounted features such as a
luggage carrier, an air conditioner, a solar panel, etc.
- If the design of the vehicle allows, install the roof exhaust
vent [12] directly above the refrigerator cooling system (See
Art01597 and Art01596).
3. Make sure there are no adjacent heat sources such as a
furnace vent, a hot water heater vent, etc.
4. The enclosure face must be perpendicular to the enclosure
shelf to provide a combustion seal.
5. The cutout opening must be square and perpendicular to the
enclosure shelf to maintain door alignment.
Install the Lower and Upper Vents
1. Using the following chart, decide which vents and rough
opening (RO) sizes to use:
Certified Vent P/ N RO Height RO Width
Upper Roof 622293 N/A N/A
Exhaust Cap
Upper Roof 616319 24 in. 5 1/4 in.
Exhaust Vent
Lower Square 616010 9 3/4 in. 19 3/8 in.
Corner Intake
Upper Exhaust 62115 6 13 3/4 in. 21 1/2 in.
& Lower Intake
Plastic
2. Install the lower intake vent:
NOTE: The lower intake vent is also the service access
opening for the components on the rear of the refrigerator.
- Align the roof exhaust vent above the lower intake vent.
- Install a baffle [13] to prevent stagnant hot air in the
area [14] above the refrigerator.
- Make sure there is less than 1/4 inch clearance
[15] between the baffle and the top of the refrigerator.
- Make sure the baffle is the full width of the inside of
the enclosure.
- If the design of the vehicle does not allow you to install the
roof exhaust vent directly above the refrigerator cooling
system:
- Align the roof exhaust vent [12] above the lower intake
vent and move it inboard as necessary (See Art01597
and Art01595).
- Install two baffles [13] to prevent stagnant hot air in the
area [14] above the refrigerator.
- Make sure the baffles are the full width of the inside of
the enclosure.
- Make sure that the baffles are no more than 45°
from vertical [20].
- Put one baffle between the top rear edge of the
refrigerator and the inside edge of the roof exhaust
vent opening.
- Put the other baffle between the outside edge of
the roof exhaust vent opening and the side wall of
the vehicle.
WARNING: Make sure the bottom of the opening of the
lower intake vent is even with or immediately below the
floor level. This allows any leaking propane gas to
escape to the outside and not to collect at floor level.
- Make sure the bottom of the opening of the lower intake vent
[9] is even with or immediately below the floor level (See
Art01597).
- Make sure that the opening for the lower intake vent is
between 1/2 inch and 1 inch from the burner side of the
refrigerator enclosure.
Installation Manual 4
- If the depth of the enclosure is 24 inches or more and is
less than 25 inches, no baffles are necessary at the rear of
the enclosure.
- If the depth of the enclosure is 25 inches or more and is
less than 26 inches, add two baffles [16] to the rear of the
enclosure (See Art01595 and Art01596).
- Put one baffle 18 inches to 18 1/2 inches above the
bottom of the enclosure [17] (4 1/4 inches to 4 3/4
inches above the top of the lower intake vent opening
REF) [18] .
- To prevent stagnant hot air in the area above the
refrigerator, install an aluminum or galvanized
steel sheet baffle [13] between the top of the
refrigerator and the top of the upper exhaust vent,
- Put the other baffle at the lowest edge of the condenser
[11] of the refrigerator.
- Make sure that the baffles are 1 inch or less [19]
from the coils [10] and condenser of the refrigerator.
- Make sure that the baffles are the full width of the
inside of the enclosure.
- If the depth of the enclosure is more than 26 inches, install
a wood or an aluminum or galvanized sheet solid box baffle
[21] in the rear of the enclosure (See Art01644 and
Art01645).
- Make sure that the bottom of the solid box baffle is 18
inches to 18 1/2 inches above the bottom of the
enclosure [17] (4 1/4 inches to 4 3/4 inches above the
top of the lower intake vent opening REF) [18] .
- Make sure that the back of the solid box baffle is
perpendicular to the bottom of the enclosure.
- Make sure that the back of the solid box baffle is either
against the top of the enclosure or against the angled
baffle [13] (depending on the vehicle design).
- Make sure that the solid box baffle is one inch or
less [19] from the coils [10] and condenser of the
refrigerator.
- Make sure there is 1/4 inch or less of clearance between the baffle and the top of the
refrigerator and that the baffle overlaps the
refrigerator 1 inch or less [19].
- Make sure that the baffle is against the wall of
the vehicle at the top of the upper exhaust vent
and 1/4 inch or less from the top of the
opening for the upper exhaust vent [124].
- Make sure the baffle is the full width of the
inside of the enclosure.
- Make sure the clearance at the sides of the refrigerator is
correct:
- If there is more than 1/2 inch of clearance between
either side of the refrigerator and the wall, fill the space
with fiberglass insulation or add a baffle to eliminate
the excess clearance.
- When using an upper side-wall exhaust vent:
- If the depth of the enclosure is more than 24 inches
and less than 26 inches [27], install a bent aluminum
or galvanized steel sheet baffle [26] to the rear of the
enclosure (See Art01588).
- Make sure that the bend of the baffle is the full
width of the inside of the enclosure.
- Make sure that the solid box baffle is the full width
of the inside of the enclosure.
- If there is more than 1/2 inch of clearance between either
side of the refrigerator and the wall, fill the space with
fiberglass insulation or add a baffle to eliminate the excess
clearance.
- If the design of the vehicle does not allow you to install a
roof exhaust vent, install an upper side-wall exhaust vent.
NOTE: The refrigerator is 23.7 in. min. to 24.0 in. max. from
the rear of the breaker to the rear of the condenser
[22] and is 59.0 in. min. to 59.3 in. max. from the
bottom of the refrigerator to the bottom of the
refrigerator condenser [23] (See Art01600).
- Install the upper side-wall exhaust vent [24] so that the
distance [25] from the bottom of the enclosure to the
top of the rough opening for the upper exhaust vent is
at least 63 inches (see Art01588 and Art01589).
- Align the upper exhaust vent horizontally above the
lower intake vent [9].
- Make sure that the bend of the baffle is flush with
the bottom edge of the upper intake vent door
frame.
- Make sure that the top edge of the baffle is 1/4
inch or less [124] below the condenser [11] and
that there is 1/4 inch or less clearance [124]
between the lower rear corner of the condenser
and the baffle.
- If the depth of the enclosure is more than 26 inches
[27], install a wood or an aluminum or galvanized steel
sheet solid box baffle [21] between the lower intake
vent and the upper exhaust vent (See Art01589).
- Make sure that the solid box baffle is the full width
of the inside of the enclosure.
- Make sure that the bottom of the solid box baffle is
18 inches to 18 1/2 inches above the bottom of the
enclosure [17] (4 1/4 inches to 4 3/4 inches above
the top of the lower intake vent opening REF) [18].
Installation Manual 5
- Make sure that the back of the solid box baffle is
perpendicular to the bottom of the enclosure.
Install the Refrigerator
- Make sure that the horizontal top of the solid box
baffle is even with the bottom edge of the upper
exhaust vent [24].
- Make sure that the vertical top edge of the baffle is
1/4 inch or less [124] below the lower rear corner
of the condenser [11].
- Make sure that there is 1/4 inch or less clearance
[124] between the rear of the condenser and the
baffle.
Install Decorative Door Panels (non-metal
door models)
NOTE: The doors are made to accept decorative panels. The
decorative panels must be 3/16 inch or less in
thickness. Install the decorative door panels in the
refrigerator doors before installing the refrigerator in
the vehicle.
1. Make two upper door panels that are 16 13/64 inches wide x
18 3/8 inches high:
- Raised panels must be centered on each door and no
larger than 15 11/32 inchs wide x 17 17/32 inches high.
2. Make two lower door panels that are 16 13/64 inches wide x
41 13/64 inches high:
- Raised panels must be centered on each door and no
larger than 15 11/32 inchs wide x 40 11/32 inches high.
3. Install the decorative door panels:
- Pull the panel retainer [37] off of each door [39] (See
Art00965).
1. Put the refrigerator in position:
WARNING: Make sure the combustion seal is not
broken, is completely around the refrigerator mounting
flanges, and is between the mounting flanges and the
wall of the enclosure If the seal is not complete, exhaust
fumes can be present in the living area of the vehicle.
The breathing of exhaust fumes can cause dizziness,
nausea, or in extreme cases, death.
NOTE: Be careful when you put the refrigerator into position.
The refrigerator has vacuum insulating panels on the
top and sides. If punctured, these panels lose
insulation value which decreases the cooling performance of the refrigerator. It is not necessary to remove
the protective packaging from the doors of metal door
models to install or operate the refrigerator.
- Make sure that the flue cap is not pushed down against the
top of the flue tube.
- Push the refrigerator into the enclosure so the side trim is
approximately one inch from the wall.
2. Make sure that the side trim pieces [127] are in the correct
position (See Art01649 and Art01650):
- Slide both side trim pieces up or down as necessary so
that the ends of the side trim pieces are fully covered by the
upper and lower trim pieces [40 and 128].
- Pull the left hand side trim piece toward the left as far as it
will go so that there is no gap between the edge of the side
trim piece and the upper and lower trim pieces.
- Pull the right hand side trim piece toward the right as far as
it will go so that there is no gap between the edge of the
side trim piece and the upper and lower trim pieces.
- Push the refrigerator completely into the enclosure.
- Push a decorative door panel [38] into the slots of each
door.
- Make sure that each panel retainer is correctly positioned
and push the curved snap [125] of the panel retainer [37]
inside of the curved snap [126] of the door (See Art01648).
Installation Manual 6
3. Install the mounting screws and trim:
- Put the upper trim piece [40] onto the front of the refrigerator
(See Art01649).
- Put the four screws [41] through the mounting flange on the
front of the refrigerator and into the enclosure wall.
- Put a cap plug [129] on each of the screw holes in the upper
trim piece on the front of the refrigerator.
WARNING: Do not omit the lower trim piece. This
piece is part of the combustion seal.
Push the lower trim piece [128] onto the front of the refrigera-
tor (See Art01650).
- Put the four screws [41] through the mounting flange on the
front of the refrigerator and into the enclosure wall.
- 1/4 in. OD copper tubing for the water supply line.
OR
- 1/4 in. OD plastic tubing for the water supply line.
- Put a cap plug [129] on each of the screw holes in the lower
trim piece on the front of the refrigerator.
- Put two or more screws through the mounting flange on the
rear of the refrigerator and into the floor.
4. On metal door models only, you may wish to remove the
protective packaging from the doors.
NOTE: Be careful to not scratch or dent the metal doors. Do
not use any abrasive cleaners, chemicals, or scouring
pads because they can damage the fininish of the
doors.
Optional Installation
You can change enclosures that were made for Norcold model
N8XX refrigerators so that you can put Norcold model 120X
refrigerators into them.
To change the Norcold model N8XX refrigerator enclosure [130]
into the Norcold model 120X refrigerator enclosure [131] (See
Art01597):
- Increase the height of the enclosure by 3 3/8 inches [132].
- Increase the width of the enclosure by 8 13/16 inches [133].
- Make sure to add the additional width to the left side of the
enclosure (as looking at the rear of the refrigerator).
Install the necessary baffles only as written in the “Install the
Upper and Lower Vents” section of this manual.
The locations of the 12 VDC supply, the 120 VAC supply, and the
propane gas supply line do not change.
- 1/4 in. shut off valve in the water supply line. This should be
easily accessible through the lower intake vent.
Connect the water supply line:
Install a 1/4 in. OD water supply line [43] from the water shut off
valve of the vehicle to the solenoid water valve [44] at the rear of
the refrigerator (See Art01014):
NOTE: A brass compression nut [45], a brass sleeve, a plastic
sleeve [46] , and a brass insert [47] are supplied and
attached to the rear of the refrigerator (See Art01604).
- Put the compression nut and then the sleeve onto the water
supply line [43].
- For copper tubing, use the brass sleeve.
- For plastic tubing, use the plastic sleeve [46].
- For plastic tubing with .040 in. wall thickness, also use
the brass insert [47].
- Flush the water supply line until the water is clear.
- Put the tubing into the adapter [48] until it is against the stop
of the adapter.
- Tighten the compression nut by hand (hard finger tight).
- Using two wrenches, tighten the compression nut 1 ½ to 2
turns.
- Open the water shut off valve of the vehicle.
- Examine the connections for leaks.
Connect the 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 can not be added to the refrigerator at a
later time.
The refrigerator installer must connect a cold water supply line
to the solenoid valve at the rear of the refrigerator. The following
are necessary to connect the icemaker:
Connect the Electrical Components
AC Operation 120 volts AC voltage
(132 volts max. - 108 volts min.)
12 volts DC control voltage
(15.4 volts max. - 10.5 volts min.)
This refrigerator operates on these electrical sources. Operation out of these limits may damage the refrigerator’s electrical
circuit parts and will void the warranty.
Installation Manual 7
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