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Old 07-04-2016, 01:57 AM   #1
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Norcold Wizardry?

I'm getting old and possibly losing my mind, but I can't for the life of me find any kind of mechanism that would trigger the refrigerator interior light.

The bulb tests good, but there is no voltage (DC) at the bulb clips or further up the wiring to the interior connectors.

I've read all kinds of things about the features these modern Norcold units have, like turning off the bulb if the door is open too long. I think there are even some models that sense certain conditions and turn the bulb on when the door is shut, to aid in defrosting and such. Regardless of which features or model I have, and how much fancy logic might be designed into the control system, it still seems like there would be some kind of analog switch\mechanism to trigger the "door open" programming.

What am I missing?

Norcold N611v in a brand new Aerolite 213 RBSL

Been living in it 23 days straight and this is my ONLY issue thus far. I'm really enjoying it. Even if I have to turn on an overhead light to find my hidden candybar in the fridge.
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Old 07-04-2016, 02:15 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snakebitten View Post
I'm getting old and possibly losing my mind, but I can't for the life of me find any kind of mechanism that would trigger the refrigerator interior light.

The bulb tests good, but there is no voltage (DC) at the bulb clips or further up the wiring to the interior connectors.

I've read all kinds of things about the features these modern Norcold units have, like turning off the bulb if the door is open too long. I think there are even some models that sense certain conditions and turn the bulb on when the door is shut, to aid in defrosting and such. Regardless of which features or model I have, and how much fancy logic might be designed into the control system, it still seems like there would be some kind of analog switch\mechanism to trigger the "door open" programming.

What am I missing?

Norcold N611v in a brand new Aerolite 213 RBSL

Been living in it 23 days straight and this is my ONLY issue thus far. I'm really enjoying it. Even if I have to turn on an overhead light to find my hidden candybar in the fridge.
Ok, personally... I have no idea. However, the following is from the Norcold website:

How do I replace the interior light bulb?

Remove the DC power supply wires from the power board at the rear of the refrigerator. Remove the cover by pulling it toward the front of the refrigerator. Remove the light bulb from the holder. Install the replacement bulb. Install the cover and then connect the DC power supply wires to the power board at the rear of the refrigerator. Note: Use only a GE#214-2 bulb as the replacement bulb. This is available at most retail automotive parts centers.


Question... maybe the DC power supply wires aren't connected?

Here's a link to the Owner's Manual. It's got schematics if you're a decent electrician.

http://www.primetimerv.com/download/...1V_Install.pdf

Good luck!!
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Old 07-04-2016, 02:36 AM   #3
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Yep. All accurate!

Read the manual and indeed it is very easy to see the DC output prongs on the power supply.

Everything "looks" in order. And like I said, the bulb works hooked up to a 9 volt battery.

But I think it's hilarious that there is nothing visible that I can see that serves as a switch or trigger for an open door. No button or lever or mechanism of any kind.

Wonder if it's just something magnetic that is invisible?

thanks for the reply!
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Old 07-04-2016, 02:41 AM   #4
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Should have stated the fridge works fantastic!

Ice trays always frozen by morning. Items in fridge are nice and cold.

And the DC power runs the control panel and led status lights.
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Old 07-04-2016, 03:23 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by snakebitten View Post
Should have stated the fridge works fantastic!

Ice trays always frozen by morning. Items in fridge are nice and cold.

And the DC power runs the control panel and led status lights.
Here's the deal, the schematic Tom provided shows the door switch (L) to be a magnetic reed switch and it's located in the display board.
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Old 07-04-2016, 04:32 AM   #6
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Thanks sundancer.

I shoulda looked closer at the diagram. So it is a magnetic (invisible) switch.

Thanks gentlemen. Both of ya.
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Old 07-04-2016, 12:32 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by snakebitten View Post
Thanks sundancer.

I shoulda looked closer at the diagram. So it is a magnetic (invisible) switch.

Thanks gentlemen. Both of ya.
Yep, invisible as not a button or similar protrusion like you've been searching for.
I'm guessing that if you open the display board enclosure you'll find a small glass tube with wires on both ends. Inside the tube are the contacts that the magnet operates. I'm not sure if that's what you have but it may look like that.

Does the display move with the door?
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Old 07-04-2016, 01:27 PM   #8
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Thanks for the visual. I suspect that your suspicions are well founded.

I'm a bit embarrassed to report it is fixed!

In these days of "reboot first" and see if THAT fixes things, I simply turned the fridge off. (power button) Turned it back on, and whala! The light came on.



23 days straight, I kept that fridge on. Had I towed it in for warranty, 99% sure it woulda worked when I got there. Lol



Alas, I'm still one of the fortunate to have received a fully functional Dutchman RV from my dealer.



(and it came with a fantastic support forum, to boot)
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Old 07-04-2016, 02:33 PM   #9
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Old 07-04-2016, 03:28 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by snakebitten View Post

In these days of "reboot first" and see if THAT fixes things,
That's the one that I always remember....

after I've spent have the day chasing gremlins.
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Old 07-04-2016, 04:17 PM   #11
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I got one for ya!

Our back hoe has been acting up, low fuel pressure and the system leaking down. Adding insult to injury the alternator was not putting out proper power. Finally got the guy out to look at it, replaced the main fuel line from the tank... everything works, INCLUDING the alternator!

Aaron
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