'I don't typically boondock but did this weekend. My batteries were fully charged when we left Thursday afternoon. Friday morning they were almost dead. I was able to troubleshoot this morning. The refrigerator
(Norcold 9182) is pulling DC when it should be running on propane. There is propane and the panel on the fridge is showing that it is using propane. When not plugged into shore power the batteries are constantly being discharged. When I turn off the fridge there is no battery drain. My thought is whatever senses the different inputs is not working. Is there a way to disable the DC option? Or does anyone have a fix?
Joe/1997 3550, 3126, 300 hp, 6 spd'
Re: Norcold 9182 Constantly Pulls DC
Re: Norcold 9182 Constantly Pulls DC
'Joe,
It sounds like to me, that your refrigerator outlet is on the inverter
circuit. Which allows the refrigerator to run on 120v ac electric
which is drawn from your batteries via the inverter. Try unplugging
the refrigerator from the outlet in the back, or switch the unit to
work only on propane, and very likely, your problem will be resolved.
John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, Cummins C8.3-300, Allison
6spd
On 9/29/19, jumpnjoe59@... [Safarifriends]
wrote:
It sounds like to me, that your refrigerator outlet is on the inverter
circuit. Which allows the refrigerator to run on 120v ac electric
which is drawn from your batteries via the inverter. Try unplugging
the refrigerator from the outlet in the back, or switch the unit to
work only on propane, and very likely, your problem will be resolved.
John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, Cummins C8.3-300, Allison
6spd
On 9/29/19, jumpnjoe59@... [Safarifriends]
wrote:
'> I don't typically boondock but did this weekend. My batteries were fully
> charged when we left Thursday afternoon. Friday morning they were almost
> dead. I was able to troubleshoot this morning. The refrigerator
> (Norcold 9182) is pulling DC when it should be running on propane. There is
> propane and the panel on the fridge is showing that it is using propane.
> When not plugged into shore power the batteries are constantly being
> discharged. When I turn off the fridge there is no battery drain. My
> thought is whatever senses the different inputs is not working. Is there a
> way to disable the DC option? Or does anyone have a fix?
>
> Joe/1997 3550, 3126, 300 hp, 6 spd
>
> ------------------------------------
> Posted by: jumpnjoe59@...
> ------------------------------------
>
> Community email addresses:
> Post message: Safarifriends@onelist.com
> Subscribe: Safarifriends-subscribe@onelist.com
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> List owner: Safarifriends-owner@onelist.com
>
> Shortcut URL to this page:
> http://www.onelist.com/community/Safarifriends
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo Groups Links
>
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>
>
-
mel96safari
- Posts: 719
- Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:06 am
Re: Norcold 9182 Constantly Pulls DC
'
JoeI suspect your fridge is seeing/using Inverter power. If you turn your inverter OFF your fridge should automatically switch to propane....(However even when running on propane your Norcold needs/uses a little 12VDC).Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, (Norcold 682 refidgerator)
---In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, wrote :
I don't typically boondock but did this weekend. My batteries were fully charged when we left Thursday afternoon. Friday morning they were almost dead. I was able to troubleshoot this morning. The refrigerator
(Norcold 9182) is pulling DC when it should be running on propane. There is propane and the panel on the fridge is showing that it is using propane. When not plugged into shore power the batteries are constantly being discharged. When I turn off the fridge there is no battery drain. My thought is whatever senses the different inputs is not working. Is there a way to disable the DC option? Or does anyone have a fix?
Joe/1997 3550, 3126, 300 hp, 6 spd'
JoeI suspect your fridge is seeing/using Inverter power. If you turn your inverter OFF your fridge should automatically switch to propane....(However even when running on propane your Norcold needs/uses a little 12VDC).Mel
'96 Sahara 3530, (Norcold 682 refidgerator)
---In Safarifriends@yahoogroups.com, wrote :
I don't typically boondock but did this weekend. My batteries were fully charged when we left Thursday afternoon. Friday morning they were almost dead. I was able to troubleshoot this morning. The refrigerator
(Norcold 9182) is pulling DC when it should be running on propane. There is propane and the panel on the fridge is showing that it is using propane. When not plugged into shore power the batteries are constantly being discharged. When I turn off the fridge there is no battery drain. My thought is whatever senses the different inputs is not working. Is there a way to disable the DC option? Or does anyone have a fix?
Joe/1997 3550, 3126, 300 hp, 6 spd'
-
Bill Edwards
- Posts: 418
- Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2016 12:59 pm
Re: Norcold 9182 Constantly Pulls DC
' Joe, just a curious question based upon Mr. Mel”s comment. On the fridge, when you hit the mode button what does it say? If it shows AC it is on the inverter (not plugged in) it would be drawing 120 volts and the 12 volts to manage the system. If it says LP it is on propane and uses 12 volts to manage the system. Easy to make the error thinking it is where you want it and not be. Most of us have made been here before in spite of what they might say
Bill Edwards1999 SMC Panther
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
'
Bill Edwards1999 SMC Panther
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
'
-
Sarah George
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Sep 10, 2019 12:34 pm
Re: Norcold 9182 Constantly Pulls DC
'So for the update. I unplugged the fridge and that didn't seem to make a difference. Which doesn't surprise me as the fridge has always been plugged into that receptacle (behind the fridge and have to access panel outside of coach to aceess). I have boondocked before with no battery issues (always for a weekend).
Unplugged from shore power and turned on the fridge. It does show it is running on L.P. and the batteries were measuring 12.16. Went out for about 2.5 hours and the batteries were measuring 11.6.
I am now thinking weak battery/batteries or a circuit on the fridge. I don't know of any other things that could have changed.
Since I don't know how to trouble shoot the fridge I figured I would get the batteries checked first.
Is taking batteries to an auto parts store to have checked a good idea of should I take it them to a "battery" store. I have been told the auto parts stores don't necessarily do the most accurate checks.
Joe/1997 Sahara/3550/3126/300hp/6 spd/2 years in'
Unplugged from shore power and turned on the fridge. It does show it is running on L.P. and the batteries were measuring 12.16. Went out for about 2.5 hours and the batteries were measuring 11.6.
I am now thinking weak battery/batteries or a circuit on the fridge. I don't know of any other things that could have changed.
Since I don't know how to trouble shoot the fridge I figured I would get the batteries checked first.
Is taking batteries to an auto parts store to have checked a good idea of should I take it them to a "battery" store. I have been told the auto parts stores don't necessarily do the most accurate checks.
Joe/1997 Sahara/3550/3126/300hp/6 spd/2 years in'
-
Bill Edwards
- Posts: 418
- Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2016 12:59 pm
Re: Norcold 9182 Constantly Pulls DC
' A refractometer for battery acid, glycol, DEF can be had on amazon for under 25 bucks. Want to know accurately the condition of the batteries this is how it is done a single drop at a time.
Bill Edwards1999 Panther
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
'
Bill Edwards1999 Panther
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
'
-
Gary Smith
- Posts: 791
- Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2000 11:10 am
Re: Norcold 9182 Constantly Pulls DC
'Joe,Was your inverter ON?
Gary'98 Sahara 3006 300CAT
Gary Smith
'
Gary'98 Sahara 3006 300CAT
--On Sun, Sep 29, 2019 at 9:34 PM Sarah George jumpnjoe59@... [Safarifriends] wrote:
So for the update. I unplugged the fridge and that didn't seem to make a difference. Which doesn't surprise me as the fridge has always been plugged into that receptacle (behind the fridge and have to access panel outside of coach to aceess). I have boondocked before with no battery issues (always for a weekend).
Unplugged from shore power and turned on the fridge. It does show it is running on L.P. and the batteries were measuring 12.16. Went out for about 2.5 hours and the batteries were measuring 11.6.
I am now thinking weak battery/batteries or a circuit on the fridge. I don't know of any other things that could have changed.
Since I don't know how to trouble shoot the fridge I figured I would get the batteries checked first.
Is taking batteries to an auto parts store to have checked a good idea of should I take it them to a "battery" store. I have been told the auto parts stores don't necessarily do the most accurate checks.
Joe/1997 Sahara/3550/3126/300hp/6 spd/2 years in
Gary Smith
Re: Norcold 9182 Constantly Pulls DC
'Batteries do loose a charge over time and if at the end of their life will do so rapidly.Checking a batteries condition isn’t rocket science- any garage/parts store can do it, and show clear results to you.
Dave in Esmont, Va1998 Safari
Sent from my iPhone
Joe,Was your inverter ON?
Gary'98 Sahara 3006 300CAT
On Sun, Sep 29, 2019 at 9:34 PM Sarah George jumpnjoe59@... [Safarifriends] wrote:
So for the update. I unplugged the fridge and that didn't seem to make a difference. Which doesn't surprise me as the fridge has always been plugged into that receptacle (behind the fridge and have to access panel outside of coach to aceess). I have boondocked before with no battery issues (always for a weekend).
Unplugged from shore power and turned on the fridge. It does show it is running on L.P. and the batteries were measuring 12.16. Went out for about 2..5 hours and the batteries were measuring 11.6.
I am now thinking weak battery/batteries or a circuit on the fridge. I don't know of any other things that could have changed.
Since I don't know how to trouble shoot the fridge I figured I would get the batteries checked first.
Is taking batteries to an auto parts store to have checked a good idea of should I take it them to a "battery" store. I have been told the auto parts stores don't necessarily do the most accurate checks.
Joe/1997 Sahara/3550/3126/300hp/6 spd/2 years in
--
Gary Smith
'
Dave in Esmont, Va1998 Safari
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 30, 2019, at 7:15 AM, Gary Smith trekker01@... [Safarifriends] wrote:
Joe,Was your inverter ON?
Gary'98 Sahara 3006 300CAT
On Sun, Sep 29, 2019 at 9:34 PM Sarah George jumpnjoe59@... [Safarifriends] wrote:
So for the update. I unplugged the fridge and that didn't seem to make a difference. Which doesn't surprise me as the fridge has always been plugged into that receptacle (behind the fridge and have to access panel outside of coach to aceess). I have boondocked before with no battery issues (always for a weekend).
Unplugged from shore power and turned on the fridge. It does show it is running on L.P. and the batteries were measuring 12.16. Went out for about 2..5 hours and the batteries were measuring 11.6.
I am now thinking weak battery/batteries or a circuit on the fridge. I don't know of any other things that could have changed.
Since I don't know how to trouble shoot the fridge I figured I would get the batteries checked first.
Is taking batteries to an auto parts store to have checked a good idea of should I take it them to a "battery" store. I have been told the auto parts stores don't necessarily do the most accurate checks.
Joe/1997 Sahara/3550/3126/300hp/6 spd/2 years in
--
Gary Smith
'
Re: Norcold 9182 Constantly Pulls DC
'Joe,
Unless you had a moderate load on your batteries when you measured
12.16 volts, that is close to 50% discharged, 11.6 volts is below 50%
state of charge. The batteries will need to be fully charged before
they are tested, otherwise you will get a false reading.
The easiest way and most accurate way to check the condition of the
batteries is to fully charge them and then check the specific gravity
of each cell. The meters can be had for under $10 in any parts store.
When checking the specific gravity, you are obviously dealing with
battery acid, so take all the normal commonsense precautions.
BTW, with the batteries at 50%, it will take a while to fully charge
them, especially if the are the true deep cycle, golf cart, type
batteries. If they seem to charge up very quickly, that is one of the
signs that the batteries are spent.
As for the power draw. Check and see if your refrigerator light
actually turns off when you close the refrigerator door. Also, if
there is some kind of a defrost mechanism in the refrigerator, check
and make sure that it is off. These two items can cause a mysterious
drain on the batteries. The more drained the batteries are, the bigger
the draw will look. If you have a dc capable amp probe (clamp on
meter) then you could check for parasitic drains on the refrigerator
circuit and other places.
What type of batteries do you have for the house battery bank? The 12v
marine deep cycle or the 6v golf cart batteries? Also, how many
batteries for the house bank?
John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, Cummins C8.3-300, Allison
6spd
On 9/29/19, Sarah George jumpnjoe59@... [Safarifriends]
wrote:
Unless you had a moderate load on your batteries when you measured
12.16 volts, that is close to 50% discharged, 11.6 volts is below 50%
state of charge. The batteries will need to be fully charged before
they are tested, otherwise you will get a false reading.
The easiest way and most accurate way to check the condition of the
batteries is to fully charge them and then check the specific gravity
of each cell. The meters can be had for under $10 in any parts store.
When checking the specific gravity, you are obviously dealing with
battery acid, so take all the normal commonsense precautions.
BTW, with the batteries at 50%, it will take a while to fully charge
them, especially if the are the true deep cycle, golf cart, type
batteries. If they seem to charge up very quickly, that is one of the
signs that the batteries are spent.
As for the power draw. Check and see if your refrigerator light
actually turns off when you close the refrigerator door. Also, if
there is some kind of a defrost mechanism in the refrigerator, check
and make sure that it is off. These two items can cause a mysterious
drain on the batteries. The more drained the batteries are, the bigger
the draw will look. If you have a dc capable amp probe (clamp on
meter) then you could check for parasitic drains on the refrigerator
circuit and other places.
What type of batteries do you have for the house battery bank? The 12v
marine deep cycle or the 6v golf cart batteries? Also, how many
batteries for the house bank?
John
'95 Safari Serengeti 38ft, Cummins C8.3-300, Allison
6spd
On 9/29/19, Sarah George jumpnjoe59@... [Safarifriends]
wrote:
'> So for the update. I unplugged the fridge and that didn't seem to make a
> difference. Which doesn't surprise me as the fridge has always been plugged
> into that receptacle (behind the fridge and have to access panel outside of
> coach to aceess). I have boondocked before with no battery issues (always
> for a weekend).
>
> Unplugged from shore power and turned on the fridge. It does show it is
> running on L.P. and the batteries were measuring 12.16. Went out for about
> 2.5 hours and the batteries were measuring 11.6.
>
> I am now thinking weak battery/batteries or a circuit on the fridge. I
> don't know of any other things that could have changed.
>
> Since I don't know how to trouble shoot the fridge I figured I would get the
> batteries checked first.
>
> Is taking batteries to an auto parts store to have checked a good idea of
> should I take it them to a "battery" store. I have been told the auto parts
> stores don't necessarily do the most accurate checks.
>
> Joe/1997 Sahara/3550/3126/300hp/6 spd/2 years in
>
> ------------------------------------
> Posted by: Sarah George
> ------------------------------------
>
> Community email addresses:
> Post message: Safarifriends@onelist.com
> Subscribe: Safarifriends-subscribe@onelist.com
> Unsubscribe: Safarifriends-unsubscribe@onelist.com
> List owner: Safarifriends-owner@onelist.com
>
> Shortcut URL to this page:
> http://www.onelist.com/community/Safarifriends
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo Groups Links
>
>
>
>
Re: Norcold 9182 Constantly Pulls DC
'Maybe it was asked and answered and I missed it. Have you checked the water level in your batteries? They will use water if left on a trickle charge from the inverter when connected to shore power months on end. I believe all refrigerators use 12 volts to the control board, regardless whether operating on 120 VAC or gas.
The testers used at the chain auto parts stores and Walmart, run through a smart charge cycle, then do an automated load test and provide a print out. Even a caveman or burgerflipper can operate the tester. The test cycle can take an hour or more, so you may be there awhile.
Bob2001 ZanzibarHuntsville AL
'
The testers used at the chain auto parts stores and Walmart, run through a smart charge cycle, then do an automated load test and provide a print out. Even a caveman or burgerflipper can operate the tester. The test cycle can take an hour or more, so you may be there awhile.
Bob2001 ZanzibarHuntsville AL
'