My fridge takes a long time to start up

N

norman

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I have a norcold "tek 11" ac/dc fridge, vintage '92/93.

At the start of last season, after connecting to shorepower it took a couple of hours before the fridge started and began to work.
Initially, the green indicator light was on so it was getting power but there was no sound of any kind, just a dead fridge. Then, like I said a few hours later it kicked in and ran fine all last summer.

This year...same thing. Only this time it took longer to start..about 8 or 9 hours. Once it started it seems to run fine but prior to that...nothing..nada! Then it starts and runs fine.

I pulled the fridge and everything looked fine...no dust...no dirt...everything looked okay.

Any fridge experts who know what's going on?
 
Norcold says it all by itself. But anyway, was that in DC mode or AC mode? Were you sure about the power input? I wonder if there is a low voltage cutout.
We've had a few Norcolds and I've never experienced that.
 
I know....kinda weird.
Nothing would happen in AC or DC mode. And I would turn the fridge on and off using the inside switch next to the green light and still nothing and again the green light was on so I know there was power...but nothing happening.
 
I can't make fun of Norcold mine is 30 years old, working like a champ. If it quits tomorrow I can't complain.
 
I'm looking at the same way Jim. Mine is over 20 years old so it doesn't owe me anything.
On the other hand, I'm curious as to what the problem is and who wants to drop a grand if they don't have to.
 
I would turn temp. control back and forth, try to wake it up.
 
The point is that it is running now. Once running the problem is no longer traceable.

I have had several of the Norcolds and their tech is old. The compressors are noisy and they run all of the time. We switched to Nova Kool and the difference in run time as well as volume was good. Nova Kool saved our last Winter in the Bahamas by providing peace of mind with good cooling as well as increased capacity while running more quietly. We lived aboard for 6 months and the difference in running noise was substantial.
 
"Then, like I said a few hours later it kicked in and ran fine all last summer."

I'm thinking it may not pay to look a cold horse in the mouth.

But a few WAGs for the delay might be , sticky relay, slight corrosion on fuse holder contacts or maybe slightly sticky compressor motor sleeve bearings that eventually gave in to 1st rotation and self-lubed.

My 1988 Norcold still runs and eventually cools .
 
Like jim said . Probably the temp control. Remember it only cares about interior temp . so under right conditions the box could be barely cold enough to not run .

Rob
 
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