NORCOLD N260.3 (01) PDF DOCUMENT

If you smell gas, you must take the following steps immediately to address a potential fire or explosion hazard:

1. Open Windows

2. Do not attempt to light the appliance.

3. Do not touch any electrical switches.

4. Extinguish any open flame.

5. Shut off the fuel supply.

6. Evacuate immediately and call emergency services.

Failure to follow these instructions could result in fire or explosion, which could cause property damage, personal injury, or death.

Please adhere to the following safety instructions for your NORCOLD N260.3 refrigerator:

• 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 like gasoline or cleaning supplies.

• Do not remove the round ground prong from the refrigerator AC power cord. Do not use a two-prong adapter or an extension cord.

• A circuit overload can result in an electrical fire if the wires or fuses are not the correct size. Use the wire and fuse sizes as written in the manual or refer to local codes for correct sizes.

• Disconnect both AC and DC power sources before performing any maintenance. All service work must be done by a qualified service technician.

• Do not bypass or change the refrigerator’s electrical components or features.

• When you discard the appliance, remove all doors to prevent accidental entrapment and suffocation.

• Do not spray liquids near electrical outlets, connections, or refrigerator components, as many liquids are electrically conductive and can cause a shock hazard, electrical shorts, or fire.

• The cooling system is under pressure and contains sodium chromate. Do not attempt to repair or recharge a defective cooling system. Do not bend, drop, weld, move, drill, puncture, or hit the cooling system.

• At regular intervals, ensure the refrigerator flue, burner, vent areas, and ventilation pathway are free from flammable material or blockage.

• The rear of the refrigerator has sharp edges. To prevent cuts or abrasions when working on the refrigerator, be careful and wear cut-resistant gloves.

The total storage capacities for the models covered in this manual are:

• 323 models: 1.7 cubic feet

• N260.3 models: 2.4 cubic feet

The NORCOLD N260.3 refrigerator is designed to operate within 3° off level side-to-side and 6° off level front-to-back (as looking at the front of the unit). Operating it at more than these limits can cause damage to the cooling system and create a risk of injury or property damage. Always ensure the vehicle is level before you operate the refrigerator. While the refrigerator should be level when the vehicle is stopped, performance during travel is not usually affected.

First, start up the NORCOLD N260.3 and let it cool for eight hours before loading it with food. 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 forms on the cooling fins:

• Cover all liquids and moist foods.

• Let hot foods cool before putting them in the refrigerator.

• Do not open the door any longer than necessary.

The travel latch locks the refrigerator door in the closed position to prevent it from accidentally opening during travel.

To engage the travel latch:

1. Open the door of the refrigerator.

2. Turn the travel / storage latch 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.

5. Continue to turn the travel / storage latch until the ball-shaped stop on the latch engages the ball shape on 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 from 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.

Use the storage latch feature to prevent the build-up of odors when the NORCOLD N260.3 is shut down for a long period. When engaged, the refrigerator door will not be fully closed, allowing for air circulation.

To engage the storage latch:

1. Open the refrigerator door enough to break the seal of the gasket.

2. Turn the travel / storage latch into the slot of the metal refrigerator frame. Make sure the groove in the travel / storage latch engages the edge of the metal refrigerator frame.

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.

The control panel is located on the rear of the refrigerator. The controls and their functions are as follows:

• Mode selector: Changes the energy source between propane GAS, AC electric, and DC electric.

• AC thermostat: Controls the temperature setting when in AC electric mode. Number 5 is the coldest setting.

• Gas control: Sets the temperature when in GAS mode. Push and turn the control to HI, MED, or LO. HI is the coldest setting. This is not an automatic gas control; if the cooling load changes, you must manually change the setting to maintain the temperature.

• Piezo lighter: Creates a spark to ignite the flame at the burner for gas operation.

• 3 Amp fuse: Protects the AC wiring.

• 20 Amp fuse: Protects the DC wiring (model 323).

When the outside air temperature is below 50° F, the refrigerator may have a tendency to freeze food. To reduce this tendency:

• Turn the gas control to the LO position.

• Keep the refrigerator full.

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

Do not use a match for ignition, as a flashback can cause burns. Follow these steps for propane gas ignition:

1. Open the lower intake vent to get access to the rear of the refrigerator.

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

3. Open the viewing window on the burner box.

4. Turn the mode selector to the GAS position.

5. Turn the gas control to the HI position.

6. Push and hold in the gas control. In rapid succession, push the igniter in several times. Look through the viewing window to confirm ignition has occurred.

WARNING: Do not hold the gas control in for more than 30 seconds. If there is no flame in this time, wait at least five minutes before trying again. Continuing to hold the gas control in will cause gas to collect in the burner area, which could cause a fire or explosion.

7. Continue to hold the gas control in for about 15 seconds after ignition to allow the safety valve to engage.

8. Turn the gas control to the amount of cooling that you wish.

9. Close the viewing window on the burner box.

With an established flame in GAS mode, perform the following test:

1. Push and turn the gas control to the OFF position.

2. After the flame is extinguished, you should hear a sharp “click” sound within three minutes. The gas safety valve should close with a sharp “click” sound.

3. Push and turn the gas control back to the HI position.

4. Without pushing in the gas control, push the igniter several times rapidly. The burner flame should not ignite. This indicates the gas safety valve is working correctly.

Start up – AC operation:

1. Turn the gas control to the OFF position.

2. Make sure that 120 volts AC is available and the 3 Amp fuse is working correctly.

3. Turn the mode selector to the AC position.

4. Turn the AC thermostat to the desired temperature setting.

Start up – DC operation (3-way models only):

1. Turn the gas control to the OFF position.

2. Make sure that 12 volts DC is available and the 20 Amp fuse is working correctly.

3. Turn the mode selector to the DC position.

DC Operation Precautions:

The NORCOLD N260.3 is made to operate on DC power while your vehicle is “in transit” and AC or propane gas sources are unavailable. Operate the refrigerator on DC power only when the vehicle engine is running, as it has a high current draw and can cause rapid battery discharge.

• The battery must be maintained in a fully charged condition.

• The vehicle engine must be running and the battery charging system must be in good operating condition.

• The capacity of the battery charging system must be more than what is necessary for the refrigerator and other DC appliances.

• While the engine is running, a qualified technician should verify the voltage at 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 an already cool refrigerator. It is not intended for the initial start up and cooling of the unit. Always use AC or propane gas for the initial cool-down.

• 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 charging system are in good operating condition.

To shut down the refrigerator:

• Push and turn the gas control to the OFF position.

• Turn the mode selector to the OFF position.

Effects of High Altitude on Propane Gas Operation:

When you operate the refrigerator on propane gas at altitudes higher than 5500 feet above sea level, you may experience reduced cooling performance and burner outages. It is recommended to operate the refrigerator on AC power at these altitudes.

Effects of Freezing Temperatures on Refrigerator Operation:

A gas absorption refrigerator is not designed to operate in freezing temperatures. If the cooling system is exposed to temperatures of 32° F or lower for an extended period, operation may be disrupted. Operation will resume when the cooling system warms sufficiently. If the refrigerator is equipped for low temperature operation, it will operate in temperatures down to 0° F.

To ensure years of trouble-free service from your NORCOLD N260.3, perform these simple checks every three to six months:

• Keep the food compartment and the freezer clean.

• Defrost the refrigerator as necessary.

• Make sure the door seals correctly.

• Be aware of any cooling changes not related to weather, loading, or thermostat changes. If they occur, contact your dealer or service center.

• Make sure the gas supply is propane gas only and not butane or a butane mixture.

• When in propane gas operation, examine the appearance of the flame.

• Make sure the air flow in the lower intake vent, through the refrigerator coils and condenser, and out the upper exhaust vent is not blocked or decreased.

• Make sure the area behind the refrigerator is clear of anything, especially gasoline and other flammable vapors and liquids.

Excess frost decreases the cooling performance of the refrigerator. Defrost the unit as necessary by following these steps:

1. Remove all food from the refrigerator.

2. Turn the mode selector to the OFF position.

3. Put dry towels inside the refrigerator to absorb melted frost.

CAUTION: High temperatures can cause the inside surfaces to warp or melt. Do not use pans of HOT water, a hair dryer, or other high-temperature devices to defrost the refrigerator. Do not use any hard or sharp objects to remove frost.

4. To increase the speed of defrosting, you can put pans of WARM water in the refrigerator.

5. Remove the wet towels and dry the interior.

6. Start up the refrigerator and allow it to cool down.

7. Return all food to the refrigerator.

A good time to clean the refrigerator is just after defrosting. To avoid food odors, clean the inside as often as necessary:

1. Remove all food from the refrigerator.

2. Do not use abrasive cleaners, chemicals, or scouring pads as they can damage the interior.

3. Wash the interior with a solution of dish detergent and warm water.

4. Rinse with a solution of baking soda and clean water.

5. Dry with a clean cloth.

6. Put all food back in the refrigerator.

If the door does not seal correctly, excess frost will collect inside. To check the seal:

1. Close the door on a piece of paper that is about the size and thickness of a dollar bill.

2. Gently pull the paper. You should feel a slight drag between the door gasket and the cabinet.

3. Do this on all four sides of the door.

4. If you do not feel drag on the paper, the door gasket is not sealing correctly. Contact your dealer or a Norcold authorized service center.

Have a qualified RV dealer or a Norcold authorized service center perform these annual safety and maintenance checks:

• Examine the gas supply lines for leaks.

• Make sure the propane gas pressure is 11 inches of water column.

• Make sure the combustion seal is complete and intact.

• Make sure the burner and the burner orifice are clean.

• Make sure the electrode spark gap is 1/8 – 3/16 inch.

• Make sure the AC voltage is 108 – 132 volts and the DC voltage is 10.5 – 15.4 volts.

• Make sure the thermocouple tip is clean and secure.

• Make sure the area at the rear of the refrigerator is free from any combustible materials.

Before storing the refrigerator for an extended (seasonal) period of time:

• Defrost and clean the interior of the refrigerator.

• Close the doors with the storage latch to allow air circulation and prevent odors.

Before starting up the refrigerator after storage, make sure there are no obstructions in the vents, the ventilation air pathway, the burner, the orifice, or the flue area.

While operating in GAS mode, you can examine the gas flame:

1. Push and turn the gas control to the HI position.

2. Open the lower intake vent.

3. Open the burner box door and look at the gas flame. The burner box cover can be hot; wear gloves to avoid burns.

The flame should be:

• A darker blue color on the inside of the flame and a lighter blue color on the outside.

• A constant shape without flickering.

Contact your dealer or a Norcold authorized service center if the flame is:

• yellow

• flickering or changing shape

Also, make sure the flame does not touch the inside of the flue tube. If it does, contact your dealer or service center. When finished, close the burner box door.

Part Number	Description
90	+12 VDC Power supply (3-way models only)
91	Gas control with safety valve
92	AC heater
93	20 Amp fuse (3-way models only)
94	DC heater (3-way models only)
96	AC Thermostat
108	120 VAC Power cord
111	AC ground
167	Spark gap
207	Mode Selector / Selector switch
216	Piezo lighter
219	Terminal block
220	3 Amp fuse
221	Thermocouple
222	Thermocouple interrupter
230	Chassis ground
231	Jumper