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NORCOLD N180.3X THREE-WAY (AC, DC and PROPANE) REFRIGERATOR OPERATION
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The following summary of how to operate the refrigerator is not intended to replace the
manufacturer’s instructions. Therefore, you should review the Norcold owner’s manual for a
complete understanding of how your refrigerator operates and to troubleshoot problems
should they occur. If you do not have a paper copy of the owner’s manual, it can be
downloaded from the Norcold website https://norcold.com/ (click on the “Support” tab to find
the product manuals.) Additionally, you should read these supplemental instructions in their
entirety before using the steps described for operating the refrigerator.
The Norcold owner’s manual provides essential information regarding how to properly load the
refrigerator food compartment for good air circulation and best cooling performance.
Additionally, it provides the following cautionary statement: “The refrigerator is designed to
operate within 3°off level front-to-back and 6° off level side-to-side (as looking at the front of
the refrigerator.) Operating it at more than these limits can cause damage to the cooling
system and create a risk of personal injury or property damage. Make sure the vehicle is level
before you operate the refrigerator.”
Per Norcold, before using the refrigerator, it is recommended that you first ignite (using propane
gas) or start up (using AC power) the refrigerator and allow it to get cold for a minimum of eight
hours (e.g., overnight) before loading it with food or drinks. If you have access to AC power, that
is the most efficient way to initially cool the refrigerator. The DC operation is not intended for
the initial start-up and cooling of the refrigerator. Therefore, DO NOT USE DC (12-Volt battery)
POWER for this purpose. The refrigerator is designed to operate using DC power only while you
are towing your camper (i.e., in transit) and AC power or propane are not available.
The refrigerator should be operated on DC power only when the vehicle engine is running and
your camper battery is in a fully charged condition. Assuming your tow vehicle battery is in good
condition and the engine alternator is adequately sized, plus your seven-way power cord
between the tow vehicle and camper is properly wired with a 12-volt charge line to the camper,
the tow vehicle will keep the camper battery sufficiently charged to maintain the temperature
of the refrigerator and its contents when they are already cool.
WARNING: Operating the refrigerator using only the camper battery (i.e., without being
connected to a tow vehicle with the engine running) will rapidly discharge the battery.
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