Norcold Needs a Little Electonics Help

[TomH]

Few more.

 

[Rwhat]

Any ideas on how to fix the "inverter" on the power supplies. My engel only works on 12v.

 

[TomH]

Any ideas on how to fix the "inverter" on the power supplies. My engel only works on 12v.

As you may have guessed, I'm not an expert at these things. While I was searching I found a post somewhere that talked about a switching circuit between the 12V side and the 120V side. I just looked again for that post and couldn't find it - but I did find this one which says about the same thing only not as detailed as the other one I had found.

The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum - View Single Post - Problem with Norcold Fridge

That era Norcold had a Japanese Sawafuji "swing motor"--which ran on 22 volts AC (I know it sounds strange!) There is a power supply with a transformer which drops the 110 v ac to 22 v AC and an inverter which changes 12 volts DC to 22V AC. Since it is the 110 volt side which is causing the problem, it will be either the transformer, or the auto switch which switches from 110 V to 12 volts. The easiest thing to do at this point, is to find this switching circuit, and replace it with a double pole double throw switch, this would be after the inverter and before the transformer, as you look at the circuilt board. Also test the transformer.​

Hope this help. I'll look for the other post some more later.

 

[Rwhat]

Than you very much. For the info. Engel wants $379 for the power supply/inverter.

BTW I have the diagrams for the fridge if you want them. Just PM me your email.

 

[mike587]

hey, i have the same fridge. my board is wonky. on mine the relay for the 110v ac is black. looks like you know what you are doing. any chance you still work on these? i cannot find a new board anywhere and it looks like i might be able to just replace the bad relay. any advise would be appreciated.

 

[Bogo]

Look for numbers on the top and sides of the relay. One of them may be the part number. With that you can find another from places like DigiKey and Mouser. Then it is a matter of unsoldering the old one and replacing it. That assumes that is the issue. It could also be the relay drive circuit or somewhere else.

 

[TomH]

hey, i have the same fridge. my board is wonky. on mine the relay for the 110v ac is black. looks like you know what you are doing. any chance you still work on these? i cannot find a new board anywhere and it looks like i might be able to just replace the bad relay. any advise would be appreciated.

Like Bogo says - if you can identify the bad part, getting a replacement and swapping it out is pretty easy. In my case the bad part was burned up so it was easy to identify. I'm ready to let this fridge go so if you want it, make me an offer.