Thetford N400 Series Owners Manual - Manual (Page 9)

Owner’s Manual 9
This refrigerator is made to operate on DC power while your
vehicle is “in transit” and AC power or propane gas sources are
not available. Operate the refrigerator on DC power only when
the vehicle engine is running.
For the refrigerator to operate correctly on DC power, the battery
must be maintained in a fully charged condition.
For the battery to be fully charged at all times during refrigerator
operation on DC, the vehicle engine must be running and the
battery charging system must be in good operating condition.
DC Operation Precautions (N400.3 and
N510.3 models)
Backup operating system:
This refrigerator has a backup operating system. The backup
operating system allows the refigerator to continue to cool if the
temperature sensor of the refrigerator should fail.
If this failure occurs:
- The refrigerator automatically changes to the backup
operating system.
- When you push the TEMP SET button, the temperature
setting flashes in the center display for ten seconds.
- After the temperature setting flashes, the mode of
operation appears in the center dispaly.
- The backup operating system can overfreeze or thaw the
contents of the freezer and the fresh food compartment.
- Make sure the temperatures of the freezer and the fresh
food compartment are satisfactory.
NOTE: If you open the door(s) too often, the tempera-
tures inside the freezer and fresh food compart-
ment do not become stable. Allow the refrigera-
tor to operate for about one hour after each
adjustment change before you examine the
contents. The number “9” is the coldest
temperature setting.
- If the temperature is too warm, push and hold the
TEMP SET button to raise the temperature setting
by one number.
- If the temperature is too cold, push and hold the
TEMP SET button to lower the temperature setting
by one number.
- Have the refrigerator serviced by your dealer or an Norcold
authorized Service Center as soon as possible.
DC operation is intended only to maintain the temperature of
the refrigerator and its contents when they are already cool.
The DC operation is not intended for the initial start up and
cooling of the refrigerator. Always use either the AC operation or
propane gas operation to initially start up and cool the refrigera-
tor. The refrigerator must be cooled and the temperature must
be steady before you operate the refrigerator on DC.
Keep in mind the following guidelines for DC operation of the
refrigerator:
- Use DC operation of the refrigerator while the vehicle is in
transit.
- Do not use DC operation until the refrigerator and its
contents are completely cooled.
- Only use DC operation if the vehicle battery and battery
charging system are in good operating condition.
DC Operation Guidelines (N400.3, and N510.3
models)
Keep in mind the following electrical precautions for DC
operation of the refrigerator:
- Good battery condition is necessary for correct DC opera-
tion.
- The capacity of the battery charging system must be more
than what is necessary for the refrigerator and other DC
appliances.
- While the vehicle engine is running, make sure the voltage
of the DC power supply leads at the refrigerator is more
than 11.5 VDC.
Effects of High Altitude on Propane Gas
Operation
When you operate the refrigerator on propane gas at altitudes
higher than 5500 feet above sea level:
- You may experience reduced cooling performance of the
refrigerator.
- You may experience burner outages.
To avoid these possible problems, Norcold recommends that
you operate the refrigerator on AC when at altitudes higher than
5500 feet above sea level.