Norcold DE-490

[elly]

My new to me 2008 R25 has the Norcold DE-490 AC/DC refridgeator. It is supposed to work either way and there is a breaker on the AC and the DC panels. The problem is that the fridge only works on the DC side. There is a green light next to the temp adjustment knob that is on with but will not light up with just the AC. The unit came with the boat but is like new, the ice trays are wrapped in plastic and the installation and operating instructions were in a sealed plastic bag on the door and it is like new clean.

My guess is that either the fridge is not getting AC power, could something have come unplugged?

Or

The built in inverter is bad.

Anyone experience this or have suggestions to troubleshoot.

 

[bbrh842]

Ask the factory. At some point they changed to a 12 volt only fridge. I belive they did this in 2008. For a while there continued to be a 120 volt breaker labeled fridge, but it actually goes to nothing. If you could see the back of that breaker, I belive you would find there is no wire attached to it. You could stick another label on it and use it for something else, like an outlet in the engine room.

 

[elly]

Model de490 goes both ways, there is UL symbol.

The issue is that it is not working with or getting AC power.

 

[bbrh842]

My friend has a 2008 R-25 where the fridge only operates on 12 volts, whereas, my 2007 goes either way. I repeat. Ask the factory. I believe they changed to a 12v only fridge in 2008.

 

[bbrh842]

Clarification. The Norcold is supposed to operate on 120 or 12 volts, but for whatever reason, the factory stopped wiring the 120 volt side in 2008, maybe, I think.

 

[elly]

Got it. I did not make the distinction that the factory continued to use the same model less the 120 wiring.

Thanks.

 

[Levitation]

My 09 works only on 12v dc. Annoying.

 

[bbrh842]

It is really annoying if you are plugged in at the dock, and the battery charger quits working. Guess what, after a day or two, dead batteries, and no more fridge. Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[Captain Steve]

Is it, the fridge, that has the 120 volt operation removed or is it just a matter of wiring the 120 back into the panel??

 

[HRowland]

It is really annoying if you are plugged in at the dock, and the battery charger quits working. Guess what, after a day or two, dead batteries, and no more fridge. Don't ask me how I know this.

I installed a remote monitor from Siren Marine. I get a text message if shore power fails. I also get a message if the house bank voltage drops below 12.2V which would cover the battery charger failing. You can configure the low voltage threshold, default was less than 12V but I want to be alerted before the battery is completely dead.

You can also send a text message to get a status report that includes house bank voltage.

Other alerts are high bilge level and unauthorized boat movement (based on internal GPS).



Howard