Thetford N260 User Manual
Owner’s Manual and Installation Manual
For model N260.3X - a 2.4 cu. ft., 3-way refrigerator.
The letter “X”, in the model number above, stands for a letter or a numeral which means a
refrigerator option.
WARNING: Improper installation, adjustment, alteration, service or maintenance
can cause personal 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. 620292M (3-07)
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 Instructions ...................................................................... 4
About Your Refrigerator .............................................................. 4
Storage volume ................................................................... 4
Leveling ............................................................................... 4
Operation during travel ........................................................ 4
Food compartment .............................................................. 4
Travel latch .......................................................................... 5
Storage latch ........................................................................ 5
Ignition and Start Up ................................................................... 5
Controls............................................................................... 5
Ignition - propane gas operation ........................................ 6
Do a test of the gas safety valve.......................................... 6
Start Up - AC operation ........................................................ 6
Start Up - DC operation (3-way models only) ..................... 6
DC operation precautions ................................................... 6
DC operation guidelines ..................................................... 6
Shut down ........................................................................... 6
Effects of High Altitude on Propane Gas Operation................... 7
Refrigerator Care Checklist ....................................................... 7
Defrosting ................................................................................... 7
Cleaning ..................................................................................... 7
Door Sealing .............................................................................. 8
Refrigerator Maintenance Checklist .......................................... 8
Refrigerator Storage ................................................................... 8
Refrigerator Maintenance ........................................................... 8
Gas flame appearance ....................................................... 8
Remove and clean the burner orifice ................................. 9
Remove the Refrigerator ............................................................ 9
Reinstall the Refrigerator ........................................................... 9
Wiring Pictorial ......................................................................... 10
Wiring Diagram ........................................................................ 10
Replacement Parts .................................................................. 10
Installation Manual .................................................................. 10
Safety Awareness ..................................................................... 10
Safety Instructions .................................................................... 1 0
Certification and Code Requirements ......................................11
Ventilation Requirements ..........................................................11
Assemble the Enclosure .......................................................... 12
Install the Lower and Upper Vents ........................................... 1 2
Reverse the Door Swing (optional) .......................................... 12
Install the Refrigerator .............................................................. 13
Connect the Electrical Components ........................................ 13
Connect the 120 volts AC supply ...................................... 13
Connect the 12 volts DC supply (3-way models only)...... 13
Connect the Propane Gas Components ................................. 14
Connect the propane gas supply system ......................... 1 4
Examine the propane gas supply system for leaks ......... 14
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
(AT NORCOLD’S OPTION) OF THE DEFECTIVE P ART OR
ASSEMBLY.
Installation and 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 WHA TSOEVER, 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 STA TES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR
LIMIT ATION 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 MERCHANT ABILITY 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
About your warranty
This warranty coverage begins on the original date of purchase by the
consumer purchaser and is the only warranty for the Norcold refrigerator. In no case will the Limited Warranty extend beyond two (2) years
for labor and three (3) years for parts and freight. Norcold reserves
the right to change design or specifications of a refrigerator without
obligation to modify previously produced refrigerators. There are no
other warranties, either expressed or implied.
What is coverd by this warranty?
- Defects in material and workmanship.
- Parts and labor for two (2) years
- Parts only for the third year if the required maintenance is performed.
- Freight (ground service only) for shipment of a replacement part
and for return of the defective part.
What is not covered by this warranty?
- Shipping methods other than ground service.
- Defects in glassware, electric light bulbs, and replacement fuses.
- Adjustment of the burner electrode.
- Cleaning of the burner.
- Fees for mobile repair service.
- Mileage or travel expenses to obtain warranty service.
- Expenses for required maintenance as specified in the Limited
Warranty and in the Owner’s Manual.
- Incidental or consequential loss or damage including but not limited to
charges or claims for labor (including labor when no parts are used
for a repair), lost business, lost time, lost profits, lost food, and lost
use.
- Replacement parts that are not manufactured or supplied by Norcold.
- Defect of a part or assembly when the defect originates from misuse,
improper installation, improper or abnormal service, transit damage,
recharging of the cooling system, accident, fire, improper repair,
tampering, or abuse.
What will Norcold do?
For a refrigerator that is properly installed, maintained, and used as
specified in the Installation/Owner’s Manuals, Norcold responsibilities
are:
- Limited to the repair and replacement of parts.
- To provide no charge parts and labor for two (2) years.
- To provide no charge parts only for year 3 if the required maintenance is performed.
- To provide freight (ground service only) for shipment of a replacement part and for return of a defective part for three (3) years.
What will the refrigerator owner do?
T o obtain warranty service, the refrigerator owner responsibilities are:
- T o use, service, and maint ain the refrigerator as specified in the
Installation/Owner’s Manuals.
- T o deliver the warranted product to an authorized Norcold Service
Center for warranty repair.
- To show proof that the refrigerator is within warranty coverage.
- T o have the required maintenance performed by an authorized
Norcold Service Center one time during year 2 of the Limited
Warranty.
- T o pay to have the required maintenance performed.
- T o mail paid receipt to Norcold showing required performed before
expiration of year 2 of the Limited Warranty.
- T o show proof of the required maintenance before requesting
warranty service in year 3 of the Limited Warranty.
What rights do you have?
The 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.
- 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:
- 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.
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 this 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.
About Y our Refrigerator
Storage volume:
This refrigerator is made for food storage.
Total capacity........................................................ 2.4 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.
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 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.
The refrigerator is made to operate within 3°
Installation and Owner’s Manual 4
To decrease the amount of ice that forms on the cooling fins:
- Cover all liquids and moist foods.
- Let hot foods cool before putting them in the refrigerator.
2. Turn the travel / storage latch [2] into the slot of the metal
refrigerator frame [3]:
- Make sure the groove [6] in the travel / storage latch en-
gages the edge [7] of the metal refrigerator frame.
- Do not open the door any longer than necessary.
Travel latch:
NOTE: During daily use, turn the travel / storage latch so that is
parallel with the edge of the door (See Art01101).
Use the travel latch feature to lock the refrigerator door in the
closed position. When you engage the travel latch, the door
cannot accidentally open during travel.
To engage the travel latch:
1. Open the door [1] of the refrigerator (See Art01102).
2. Turn the travel / storage latch [2] so it is parallel with the edge
of the door.
3. Close the door of the refrigerator.
4. Push the door closed to compress the gasket and turn the
travel / storage latch into the slot of the metal refrigerator
frame [3].
5. Continue to turn the travel / storage latch until the ball
shaped stop [4] engages the ball shape [5] of the metal
refrigerator frame.
To disengage the travel latch:
1. Push the door closed to compress the gasket and turn the
travel / storage latch until the ball shaped stop disengages
the ball shape of the metal refrigerator frame.
2. Continue to turn the travel / storage latch so it comes out of
the slot in the metal frame and is parallel with the edge of the
door.
3. Open the door of the refrigerator.
Storage latch:
Use the storage latch feature to prevent the build up of odors
when the refrigerator is shut down for a long period of time.
When you engage the storage latch, the refrigerator door will not
be fully closed.
To engage the storage latch:
1. Open the door [1] of the refrigerator enough to break the seal
of the gasket (Art01103).
To disengage the storage latch:
1. Turn the travel / storage latch out of the slot of the metal
refrigerator frame:
2. Close the door of the refrigerator.
Ignition and Start Up
Controls:
Thermostat........................................................................... 1
Selector switch .....................................................................2
Gas safety valve ...................................................................3
Piezo lighter ......................................................................... 4
The thermostat [1] changes the amount of propane gas that
goes to the burner (See Art01029). This acts as the temperature control of the refrigerator. Number 5 is the coldest temperature setting.
When the outside air temperature is less than 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.
- 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 (
DC electric (
refrigerator at the OFF (
) (3-way models only) and shuts down the
) position.
), AC electric ( ), and
Installation and Owner’s Manual 5
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 and stops the flow of propane gas.
The igniter [4] makes a spark which ignites the flame in the
burner.
Ignition - propane gas operation:
1. Open the valve at the propane gas storage tank.
2. Turn the thermostat to the coldest temperature setting.
3. Turn the selector switch to the propane gas position (
4. Push and hold in the safety valve and in rapid succession,
push in the igniter several times 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.
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
battery charging system must be in good operating condition.
Keep in mind the following electrical precautions for DC
operation of the refrigerator:
- Good battery condition is necessary for correct DC operation.
must be running and the
- Open the burner box door and look for the flame.
- When the flame ignites, release the safety valve.
- If the flame does not ignite, wait about five minutes and 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 Art01035].
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“
3. Open the manual gas shutoff valve of the refrigerator.
4. Without pushing in the gas control, push the igniter several
sound.
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.
- Turn the selector switch to the AC position (
).
- 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 only while the vehicle is
in transit.
- Do not use DC operation until the refrigerator and its
contents are completely cooled.
- Only use DC operation if the vehicle battery and battery
charging system are in good operating condition.
Shut down:
- Turn the selector switch to the OFF position ( ).
- Turn the thermostat to the temperature setting that you
wish.
Installation and Owner’s Manual 6
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