Norcold 2118 refrigerator

[heckner]

My norcold 2118 refrigerator gets a low dc fault every time I bring in the main hydraulic slide on my 2021 Solitude 310gk. This happens whether I am still hooked to 120v power or on battery power only. I power down the refrigerator and restart, the error code clears and it operates fine. The battery is brand new this season, an interstate 12v.

I plan to check the charging voltage from the inverter to the battery when I get home from my current month long trip and have access to a multimeter. The battery level indicator built into the camper tells me it’s fully charged, but it doesn’t provide an exact voltage readout. Is there anything else I can do before then to eliminate this fault from occurring?

 

[Second Chance]

You only have one battery on a 310GK? They should come with two. One is not enough to pull the load on the main slides without dropping the voltage.

Rob

PS: Thread moved to Electrical Systems and Wiring since this is not an issue with the refrigerator.

 

[heckner]

My 2021 310 just came with one battery. For the first three camping seasons this was not an issue. Last year I bought a new battery at the end of the season and now this fault began this year.

It’s not a huge issue, easy restart of the fridge clears it. Just seems like something has changed that I want to understand to be sure there is not an underlying issue.

 

[Second Chance]

My 2021 310 just came with one battery. For the first three camping seasons this was not an issue. Last year I bought a new battery at the end of the season and now this fault began this year.

It’s not a huge issue, easy restart of the fridge clears it. Just seems like something has changed that I want to understand to be sure there is not an underlying issue.

The underlying issue is the single battery. The hydraulic pump for the slides and leveling system can draw more than 60 amps (the converter/charger is not a significant source of DC amperage for that high a draw). IMHO, that unit should have a minimum of two batteries. We have four LiFePO4 batteries in ours - and you can only get 50% the usable amp hours out of a lead-acid battery.

Rob

PS: The dealer is responsible for installing the batteries and yours short-changed you.

 

[huntr70]

The underlying issue is the single battery. The hydraulic pump for the slides and leveling system can draw more than 60 amps (the converter/charger is not a significant source of DC amperage for that high a draw). IMHO, that unit should have a minimum of two batteries. We have four LiFePO4 batteries in ours - and you can only get 50% the usable amp hours out of a lead-acid battery.

Rob

PS: The dealer is responsible for installing the batteries and yours short-changed you.

Actually, GD supplies the hook ups and battery boxes.

They usually spec'd for 2 if it had a residential refer, and now with solar and 12 volt refer's in play, they all get 2.

Before the 12 volt, there was only ever 1 battery on the LP/110 absorption refer units. The only thing GD spec'd for was to use Group 27 batteries.

 

[brandtb1919]

Actually, GD supplies the hook ups and battery boxes.

They usually spec'd for 2 if it had a residential refer, and now with solar and 12 volt refer's in play, they all get 2.

Before the 12 volt, there was only ever 1 battery on the LP/110 absorption refer units. The only thing GD spec'd for was to use Group 27 batteries.

I concur. My 21 310GK only came equipped for one battery (I also have the Norcold) and I had to pay for the second one. Until I tore that garbage out and went Li. Best move ever.

Brian

 

[Gronk1]

LIB, my '18 310 came with two from the dealer.

 

[Calbar]

My 378MBS came with 1 battery and the dealer butchered the battery box. I installed a much better dual battery box and a second battery. Never had issues with slides or anything on one battery but agree 2 is better. May go lithium at some point but no need right now.

another Rob

 

[Captcolour]

My 2021 Solitude 380FL only came with one battery and no solar, and that is all that is in there currently. Have the 12V conversion to the Norcold 2118 done by JC . I went with the DC-to-DC charging system with the JC conversion to run the 12V fridge while towing.

 

[el Rojo]

Back to the OP's question. . .

Check to see if you have loose battery cables. Multi meters are only $15 at home depot or Lowes. See how low the voltage goes when you bring the slides in. You could also have a bad battery or a charging problem, but a loose cable from a new battery install could be all it is.

 

[heckner]

Thank you. I am going to check the connections this morning. They just use wing nuts so that could be an issue.