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Sounds like a warranty return to the dealer…I have no clue about such things, but my fridge works just fine, and I've never noticed a warm countertop.  I'm assuming the trailer is new and you've had it for a fairly short time?  Also, just wondering, is this occuring when you're using either gas or 110v AC?  Either way I'd quit using it until a qualified professional looked at it.  Sounds like a fire hazard.

Stephen

I have noticed a slight warming above the refrigerator but nothing I have been concerned about.  But I will check tomorrow as I begin to cool my fridge down for the weekend.

If I understand correctly, the cooling gas is ammonia and will go through a vaporization/condensation just like Freon will do in your house A/C.  The condensation is what causes the heat.  Vaporization causes cooling.  Sounds like you aren't getting effective transfer somehow.

I'm looking forward to seeing how my fridge acts… when it works.    The dealer called today; they figured out it was a bad thermostat and they ordered one.  Maybe I should write and tell them to check it with a thermometer before I come pick it up.

I just checked my refrigerator.  It's been on most of the day on shore power.  The counter above the fridge – back left counter was slightly warmer than the rest.  I don't have a thermometer in my fridge but I keep the thermostat at slightly less than 3.

Follow up to original post 3-30-2011: Refrigerator Issues Revisited

I called Norcold 3-31-2011 the representative said their should not be any heat transfer between the fridge and the cabinetry, advised to call dealer for service.  Dropped trailer off at dealer Monday 4-3,  Picked it up yesterday.  The dealer pulled the fridge out and built half cabinet between fridge and counter top and insulated it with R-13 insulation.  They also trimmed and repositioned the metal vent shield that was blocking the top of the vent not allowing heat to be vented to the outside.

The fridge is now cooling and working properly, no heat felt at the counter top and fridge cooling to 30 degrees on propane and shore power.  I still need to verify that but I feel the dealer did their job.  They kept it several days after the repair to make sure everything was working properly.   Hope this helps anyone experiancing similar problems.  Happy Trails, jbuff

John was that Terry Vaughn that did the work?  They've done pretty well by me so far as service goes so far.

Seems like the ventilation problem was the real culprit.  I doubt the insulation was strictly necessary but it could help the fridge stay cooler longer.  I wouldn't say a design flaw, rather it's probably incorrect installation of the vent shield… or the shield wasn't made quite right and the installer didn't catch it.  Built on a Friday afternoon, perhaps? 

Matt,  is the thermistor the two spring clips holding a wire next to the fin?  Moving the clips and the wire up and down the fin or moving the clips and wire left or right to another fin will cause cooling or warming, is that correct?  What fin is the right fin to start with?  I believe mine is set up on the third fin from the right.  Thanks,  for the good explanation in your post it explained my situation perfectly.  The dealer solution to the heat shield was to bend it back allowing heat to vent out instead of in the cabinetry.  My frig is now holding its teperature in the mid 30 degrees on both shore power and propane.  Thanks,  jbuff

Post edited 2:38 am – January 14, 2012 by kayaknut

I trouble with mine not staying cold when running on electric.  Sometimes it seemed to work and other times it didn't.  Running on gas it was fine.  We also had a small table lamp that was plugged into the outlet under the dinette bench seat and suddenly it stopped working one day.  It turns out the fridge and the outlet are on the same circuit which I discovered was not securely connected to the power panel.  Once that was fixed the fridge works very well and freezes food if set on 5 (max on mine).