Thetford N301, N401.3, N501, N301.3, N401 Installation And Owner's Manual
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Installation and Owner’s Manual
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For Australian refrigerator models:
N301 (93 liter 2-way operation with propane gas or 240 volts AC)
N301.3 (93 liter 3-way operation with propane gas, 240 volts AC, or 12 volts DC )
N401 (128 liter 2-way operation with propane gas or 240 volts AC)
N401.3 (128 liter 3-way operation with propane gas, 240 volts AC, or 12 volts DC )
N501 (164 liter 2-way operation with propane gas or 240 volts AC)
N501.3 (164 liter 3-way operation with propane gas, 240 volts AC, or 12 volts DC )
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 qualied
installer, service agency, or the gas supplier.
FOR YOUR SAFETY
Do not store or use gasoline or other ammable vapors and liquid in the
vicinity of this or any other appliance.
FOR YOUR SAFETY
If you smell gas:
WARNING: DO NOT install this refrigerator in below deck marine applications. Do not install this refrigerator in xed
indoor cabin or other dwelling applications. This refrigerator must use only Thetford 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.
Thetford Australia
Unit 3, 7 Adrian Road
Campbelleld, VIC 3061
1. Open windows.
2. Don’t touch electrical switches.
3. Extinguish any open ame.
4. Immediately call your gas supplier.
Thetford Customer Support
Telephone: (61) 03-9358-0700
Fax: (61) 03-9357-7060
Web Site: www.thetford.com.au
Part No. 629108D (11-07)
Table of Contents
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Owners manual
Owner’s Manual
Thetford 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 Instructions ........................................................................4
About Your Refrigerator ................................................................4
Storage volume .....................................................................4
Leveling .................................................................................4
Food compartment ................................................................5
Flip-up shelf ..................................................................................5
Door bins ...............................................................................5
Freezer compartment ............................................................5
Operation during travel .......................................................... 5
Door latch for travel and storage ...........................................5
T
emperature control system ..................................................5
Operating the Refrigerator Controls .............................................5
Control Panel.........................................................................5
Ignition - propane gas operation............................................6
Do a test of the gas safety valve ...........................................6
Start up -
Start up - DC operation .........................................................6
Shut down .............................................................................6
DC Operation Precautions............................................................6
DC Operation Guidelines..............................................................7
Effects of High Altitude on Propane Gas Operation .....................7
Refrigerator Care Checklist ..........................................................7
Defrosting .....................................................................................7
Cleaning
Drip tray ................................................................................. 8
Door Sealing ................................................................................. 8
Refrigerator Maintenance Checklist .............................................8
Refrigerator Storage .....................................................................9
Refrigerator Maintenance .............................................................9
Gas ame appearance ..........................................................9
Remove and clean the burner orice ....................................9
Remove the Refrigerator ............................................................10
Reinstall the Refrigerator ............................................................ 10
Replacement Parts .....................................................................11
Wiring Pictorial............................................................................ 11
Wiring Diagram ........................................................................... 11
Installation Manual
Safety Awareness .......................................................................12
Safety Instructions ......................................................................12
Certication and Code Requirements.........................................12
Ventilation Requirements............................................................13
Assemble the Enclosure ............................................................. 13
Install the Upper and Lower Vents..............................................13
Install the Refrigerator ................................................................14
Installation Options .....................................................................15
Install the decorative door panel .........................................15
Reverse the door swing.......................................................15
Change the travel latch position ..........................................15
Connect the Electrical Components ...........................................16
Connect the 240 volt
Connect the 12 volt DC supply (3-way models only)...........16
Connect the Propane Gas Components.....................................17
Connect the propane gas supply system ............................17
Connect the gas supply line to the refrigerator....................17
Examine the gas supply system for leaks ...........................17
Troubleshooting Refrigerator Problems ......................................18
AC operation .......................................................... 6
8
AC supply ..........................................16
Thetford Australia • Unit 3 • 7 Adrian Road • Campbelleld
Provided it is properly installed, properly maintained and placed
under normal service and use, Thetford Australia 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.
VIC 3061
Limitations of warranty
1. This Warranty applies only to Thetford 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, re, 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 Thetford 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 Thetford 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 date of purchase an authorized Thetford
Service Center. 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
Bafe, Roof Cap Screen, and Control Board (operating
controls) Sequence. The cost of this required maintenance
is the end consumer responsibility. A copy of the receipt
covering the required maintenance must be presented to an
authorized Thetford Service Center before Thetford accepts
warranty coverage for the component part during the third year
of warranty coverage.
LIMITATION OF REMEDY
1. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THETFORD UNDER THIS
OR ANY WARRANTY IS LIMITED TO THE REPAIR OR
REPLACEMENT (AT THETFORD’S OPTION) OF THE
DEFECTIVE PART OR ASSEMBLY.
Owner’s Manual 2
2. IN NO EVENT AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL
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THETFORD 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 specic 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.
Thetford refrigerators are the only RV refrigerators made in the
United States and offer a standard limited three-year warranty.
Thetford 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 Australia and New Zealand. To
nd an authorized Thetford Service Center near you, please
telephone Thetford Customer Support at (61) 03-9358-0700 or
visit our web site at www.thetford.com.au
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 Thetford
refrigerator. In no case will the Limited Warranty extend beyond two
(2) years for labor and three (3) years for parts and freight. Thetford
reserves the right to change design or specications 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 specied 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 prots, lost food,
and lost use.
- Replacement parts that are not manufactured or supplied by
Thetford.
- 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, re, improper
repair, tampering, or abuse.
What will Thetford do?
For a refrigerator that is properly installed, maintained, and
used as specied in the Installation/Owner’s Manuals, Thetford
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?
To obtain warranty service, the refrigerator owner responsibilities are:
- To use, service, and maintain the refrigerator as specied in the
Installation/Owner’s Manuals.
- To deliver the warranted product to an authorized Thetford Service
Center for warranty repair.
- To show proof that the refrigerator is within warranty coverage.
- To have the required maintenance performed by an authorized
Thetford Service Center one time during year 2 of the Limited
Warranty.
- To pay to have the required maintenance performed.
- To mail paid receipt to Thetford showing required performed before
expiration of year 2 of the Limited Warranty.
- To show proof of the required maintenance before requesting
warranty service in year 3 of the Limited Warranty.
Thetford is committed to providing products that are in harmony
with the environment. Your Thetford refrigerator meets all
environmental safety standards.
What rights do you have?
The warranty gives you specic legal rights. You may also have
other rights which vary from state to state.
Owner’s Manual 3
Safety Awareness
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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 identies 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
- 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 re.
- Do not use electrical appliances inside the food storage
compartment of the refrigerator unless they are of the
type recommended by the manufacturer.
- The refrigerator cooling system is under pressure. Do
not try to repair or to recharge a defective cooling
system. The cooling system contains sodium chromate.
The breathing of certain chromium compounds can
cause cancer. The cooling system contents can cause
severe skin and eye burns, and can ignite and burn with
an intense ame. Do not bend, drop, weld, move, drill,
puncture, or hit the cooling system.
- At regular intervals, make sure that the refrigerator
ue the burner, the vent areas, and the ventilation air
pathway between the vents are completely free from
any ammable material or blockage. After a period of
storage, it is especially important to check these areas
for any ammable material or blockage caused by
animals.
WARNING:
- The storage of ammable materials behind or around
the refrigerator creates a re hazard. Do not use the
area behind the refrigerator to store anything, especially
ammable materials (gasoline, cleaning supplies, etc.)
- Do not remove the round ground prong from the
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 re if the
wires and/or fuses are not the correct size. Either use
the wire and fuse sizes as written in the “Installation
Manual” or refer to your local codes 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 a Thetford
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
qualied service technician.
- Do not bypass or change the refrigerator’s electrical
components or features.
CAUTION:
- The rear of the refrigerator has sharp edges and
corners. To prevent cuts or abrasions when working on
the refrigerator, be careful and wear cut resistant gloves.
About Your Refrigerator
Storage Volume:
This refrigerator is made to store fresh and frozen foods and for
making ice.
N301
Total capacity 93 L 128 L 164 L
Freezer capacity 11 L 20 L 20 L
Food compartment capacity 82 L 108 L 144 L
Leveling:
CAUTION: The refrigerator is made to operate
within 3° off level side-to-side and 6° off level frontto-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.
N401 N501
- This refrigerator is not intended for use by children or
by inrm persons unless they have been sufciently
supervised by a responsible person to make sure that
they can use the refrigerator safely.
- Young children should be supervised to make sure that
they do not play with the refrigerator.
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. Do
not operate the refrigerator on propane gas while travelling. This
can reduce performance, cause an unstable ame, or extinguish
the ame.
Food compartment:
1
2
3
4
5
1
5
Art00976
2
13
5
4
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
5
4
3
1
5
Art01280
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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
Thetford 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 ns:
- Cover all liquids and moist foods.
- Let all hot foods cool before putting them in the refrigerator.
Operating the Refrigerator Controls
Control panel:
- Do not open the door any longer than necessary.
Flip-up shelf (N401 / N501):
The ip-up shelf supplies a space to store tall bottles. To use the
ip-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 [52] 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.
Door latch for travel and storage:
For N301 models (See Art00976).
For N401 / N501 models (See Art01280).
Thermostat ............................................................................ 1
Selector switch ...................................................................... 2
Piezo lighter .......................................................................... 3
Gas safety valve ................................................................... 4
Flame meter .......................................................................... 5
The thermostat [1] is the temperature control of the refrigerator.
Number 1 is the warmest temperature setting.
NOTE: If the cooling load changes, you must manually change
When the outside air temperature is below 10° C, the refrigerator
may have a tendency to freeze food at the colder temperature
settings. To reduce the tendency to freeze food:
The selector switch [2] changes the energy source of the
refrigerator between propane gas (
electric (
the thermostat to maintain the same temperature inside
the refrigerator.
- Turn the thermostat to a warmer temperature setting.
- Keep the refrigerator full.
- Put foods that are more likely to freeze on the lower shelf.
), AC electric ( ), DC
), and OFF ( ).
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 [161] is between the ribs
[166] of the latch plate [162].
The gas safety valve [3] is built into the control panel. As long
as a ame is present, the valve is open and allows propane gas
to ow into the burner. Any loss of ame (empty propane gas
tank, blow out, etc.) closes the safety valve and stops the ow of
propane gas.
The piezo igniter [4] makes a spark which ignites the ame in the
burner.
The ame meter [5] shows if a ame is present in the burner.
Owner’s Manual 5
Ignition - propane gas operation:
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Start up - DC operation (3-way models only):
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 ve seconds:
).
WARNING: Do not hold in the safety valve for
more than 30 seconds. If there is no ame in
this time, wait at least ve 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 re or explosion and result in dangerous
personal injury or death.
- When a ame is present and the ame meter [5] moves into
the green area, wait about ve seconds and release the
safety valve.
- If the ame 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 ame in GAS mode:
1. Close the manual gas shutoff valve [91] of the refrigerator
(See Art01890).
2. After the ame is extinguished, you should hear a sharp “click”
sound within 90 seconds.
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 ame should not
ignite. This means that the gas safety valve is working
correctly.
- 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 ( ).
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 must be running and the
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.
- 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, 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.
Start up - AC operation:
- Make sure that 240 volts AC is available.
- Turn the selector switch to the AC position (
- Turn the thermostat to the temperature setting (numbers 2
-5) that you wish.
NOTE: In AC operation only, the number 1 setting of the
thermostat turns the refrigerator off.
Owner’s Manual 6
).
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.
- Only use DC operation if the vehicle battery and battery
charging system are in good operating condition.
Effects of High Altitude on Propane Gas Op-
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eration
When you operate the refrigerator on propane gas at altitudes
higher than 1.7 km above sea level:
- You may experience reduced cooling performance of the
refrigerator.
Defrosting
The cooling ns of the refrigerator operate at below freezing
temperature and will naturally form frost from humidity, which is
always present in the air. The humidity inside the refrigerator
increases:
- with higher outside temperature and humidity.
- You may experience burner outages.
To avoid these possible problems, Thetford recommends that you
operate the refrigerator on AC when at altitudes higher than 1.7
km above sea level.
Refrigerator Care Checklist
Your refrigerator will give you years of trouble free service if you
do these simple checks every three to six months:
- Keep the food compartment and the freezer clean. See
“Cleaning”.
- Defrost the refrigerator as necessary. See “Defrosting”.
- Make sure the door seals correctly. See “Door Sealing“.
- Be aware of any cooling changes that are not because of
weather, loading, or gas control changes. If changes occur,
contact your dealer or an authorized 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 ame. See “Gas Flame Appearance”.
- Make sure the air ow 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
materials or combustible materials, especially gasoline and
other ammable vapors and liquids.
- with the storage of non-sealed fresh foods or warm foods.
- with the amount of time that the door(s) are open.
- with any air leakage into the refrigerator.
It is normal for frost to collect inside the freezer. Excess frost
decreases the cooling performance of the refrigerator. Defrost
the refrigerator and freezer as necessary:
- Remove all food from the refrigerator.
- Turn the refrigerator OFF.
NOTE: Defrosting the refrigerator makes excess water inside
the refrigerator.
- Remove the drain hose from the drip cup at the rear of the
refrigerator (N401 and N501 models only).
- Put the drain hose into a two liter or larger container to
capture water (N401 and N501 models only).
- Put dry towels (etc.) inside the refrigerator and freezer to
absorb melted frost.
CAUTION: High temperatures can cause the
inside surfaces of the refrigerator to warp or melt.
Do not use pans of HOT water, a hair dryer, or
any other high temperature devices to defrost the
refrigerator. Do not use any hard or sharp objects
to remove frost. Damage to the interior of the
refrigerator can occur.
- To increase the speed of defrosting, put pans of WARM
water in the refrigerator and freezer.
- Remove the wet towels (etc.) and dry the interior.
- Remove the drain hose from the large container and put the
drain hose back into the drip cup (N401 and N501 models
only).
- Remove the large container from the enclosure.
- Start up the refrigerator.
- Allow the refrigerator to cool down.
- Return all food to the refrigerator.
Owner’s Manual 7
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