Thetford TRC40 Installation instructions

12/24 VOLTS DC,120/240 VOLTS
AC REFRIGERATORS
INSTALLATION AND OWNER’S
MANUAL
Service Information
If service or parts are required, contact the nearest Thetford China Service Center.
To nd an authorized Thetford China Service Center near you, please telephone
the Thetford China Customer Support Dept. at [phone]/13801785859 or
visit our web site at www.thetford.cn.
THETFORD CHINA
ROOM 1207
COASTAL BUILDING(EAST BLOCK)
HAI DE SAN DAO/ NANSHAN
SHENZHEN 518059/P.R.CHINA
Telephone:[phone]
Web Site: www.thetford.cn
Model No. Serial No.
Printed in China
04/01/2013
Part No. 636058A

2
THETFORD AC/DC Models - One Year Limited Warranty
THETFORD warrants for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase that
THETFORD will repair or replace its AC/DC refrigerators.
Limitations of Warranty
1. This warranty is the only warranty for THETFORD AC/DC refrigerators. This
warranty does not cover glassware, electric light bulbs or replaceable fuses.
2. This warranty does not apply to refrigerators or component parts that have been
subjected to misuse, improper installation, abnormal service, transit damage,
recharging of cooling unit system, accident, re, improper repair, tampering or
abuse.
3. The duration of any implied warranty is limited to one (1) year.
4. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the
above limitation may not apply to you.
Limitations of Remedy
1. The responsibility of THETFORD under this or any warranty is limited to the repair
or replacement (at THETFORD’s option) of any defective refrigerator or component
part.
2. In no event and under no circumstances shall THETFORD be responsible for
any other charge whatsoever, including but not limited to charges or claims
for labor, lost business, lost time, lost prots, loss of use, or any kind of
incidental or consequential damages, however denominated or described.
3. Some states do not allow for the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above exclusion may not apply to you.
To obtain warranty service, contact Thetford China Customer Service at +86 755
86272006/13801785859 or visit our website at www.thetford.cn.
Legal Rights
This warranty gives you specic legal rights, and you may have other legal rights which
vary from state to state.

3
Safety Awareness
Read this manual carefully and understand the contents before you install the
refrigerator.
Be aware of possible safety hazards when you see the safety alert symbol on the
refrigerator and in this manual. A signal word follows the safety alert symbol and
identies the danger of the hazard. Carefully read the descriptions of these signal
words to fully know their meanings. They are for your safety.
This signal word means a hazard, which if ignored, can cause
dangerous personal injury, death, or much property damage.
This signal word means a hazard, which if ignored, can cause
small personal injury or much property damage.
Model No. and Serial No.
The model and serial number are on a label which is inside the refrigerator on the
left side and on the cover of this manual.
Operation
This refrigerator is made for refrigerating purposes and operates on a 12/24 volt DC
power supply or 120 volt (60 hertz) / 240 volt (50 hertz) AC power when installed as
written in this manual.
Never store combustible materials near the refrigerator. Storing
combustible materials near the refrigerator creates a safety
hazard and also decreases the ventilation of the cooling system
which decreases the refrigerator performance.
Do not touch the evaporator or other metal parts inside the
refrigerator cabinet with wet hands because they can freeze to
the refrigerator.
Always disconnect all power sources from the refrigerator when
doing routine maintenance. Have service work done only by a
qualied service technician.
The refrigerator temperature is controlled by a thermostat. Number “1” is the warmest
and number “5” is the coldest thermostat position. For efcient operation, change the
thermostat according to the types of food stored and the ambient temperature.
If you are not going to use the refrigerator for an extended period of time, put the
thermostat to the “OFF” position (full counterclockwise position).
WARNING
!
CAUTION
!
CAUTION
!

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Over Heating Shut-off Device Operation
Operating the refrigerator in high ambient temperatures can over heat the cooling unit and
cause premature failure of the compressor.
To protect the cooling unit from over heating, the refrigerator will automatically shut-off
when the temperature of the refrigerator power module is higher than approximately 100°
C (212°F).
The refrigerator will restart when the temperature of the refrigerator power module is lower
than approximately 80°C (176° F).
Cleaning and Defrosting
Defrosting
It is normal for frost to collect on the freezer plate inside the refrigerator. Excess frost
decreases the cooling performance of the refrigerator. Defrost the refrigerator as
necessary.
Do not use sharp objects, a hair dryer, a heat gun, etc. to defrost
the refrigerator. Damage to the interior of the refrigerator can
occur.
- Turn the thermostat to “OFF”.
- Remove all food from the refrigerator.
Defrosting the refrigerator makes excess water inside the refrigerator.
- Put dry towels (etc.) inside the refrigerator to absorb the excess water.
- Put trays of hot water in the freezer until the frost is melted.
- Empty the drip tray.
- Remove the wet towels (etc.) and dry the inside of the refrigerator
- Turn the thermostat to the desired setting.
- Put the drip tray and all food in the refrigerator.
Cleaning
A good time to clean the refrigerator is just after you defrost it.
Clean the inside of the refrigerator as often as necessary to avoid food odors:
CAUTION
!
NOTICE

5
- Remove all food from the refrigerator.
Do not use abrasive cleaners, chemicals, or scouring pads because
they can damage the inside of the refrigerator.
- Wash the inside of the refrigerator and the door gasket with a solution of liquid dish
detergent and warm water.
- Rinse with clean water and dry.
- After cleaning, put a thin coating of petroleum jelly on the hinge side of the gasket to
keep it soft and to prevent it from rolling.
Battery Maintenance
Over cooling drains your battery
When the ambient temperature is between 70° and 90° F, keep the thermostat at the “3“
position to avoid an excessive drain of the battery. When making ice, or storing frozen
foods, turn the thermostat to the coldest setting “5“.
Maintain the battery
If the charge of your battery is not sufcient, the cooling performance of your refrigerator
decreases.
Only use a “quick charger” on the battery if the thermostat is
turned to “OFF”.
Check the Battery charge Level
A fully charged battery will have a specic gravity reading of between 1.260 and 1.280.
The battery voltage is best indicated when the refrigerator is “ON” and the battery charging
system is “OFF”. Charge the battery when the specic gravity reading is less than 1.200.
For your reference
The wiring diagram shown below is recommended for dual battery hookup (See
Art02373).
NOTICE
CAUTION
!

6
Installation
The refrigerator should be located and secured on a solid surface with no gap
between the bottom rails of the refrigerator and the supporting surface.
Voltage Requirements
12.8 VDC / 24 VDC
Minimum (cut-out)......................................................................... 10.9 VDC / 23.8 VDC
Restart (cut-in).............................................................................. 12.2 VDC / 25.2 VDC
Maximum...................................................................................... 17.0 VDC / 31.5 VDC
Fuse.............................................................................................................. 15 A / 7.5 A
120 VAC / 240 VAC
Nominal .................................................................................100 / 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
Minimum............................................................................................................. 90 VAC
Maximum.......................................................................................................... 264 VAC
*Recommended source:
Sure Power Industries, Inc.
1-800-845-6269
www.Surepower.com
AC supply
Circuit
Battery
Art02373

7
This refrigerator is a built-in design, it needs to be installed into a dimensioned
cabinet before using.
Before installing the refrigerator into the opening, make sure the AC/DC supply
is properly connected. In many cases, the AC/DC supply can be connected from
outside the vehicle by means of the baggage or access door.
Measure the opening to determine if you have proper clearance for installation.
Additional insulation space around the refrigerator is not necessary.
Make sure that the enclosure is the correct size:
- Model TRC40: 20.5 inches high x 15.25 inches wide x 17.75 inches deep.
- Model TRC51: 20.5 inches high x 18.5 inches wide x 21 inches deep.
If the refrigerator has mounting
holes in the front metal ange,
put screws through the ange
(in four places) to securely
mount the refrigerator into the
opening (See Art02324).
If the refrigerator does not
have mounting holes in the
front metal ange, put screws
through the holes in the sides
of the cabinet liner (in four
places) to securely mount the
refrigerator into the opening.
Be sure the refrigerator is not
in direct sunlight or near a gas
stove, a heater, or other heat-
generating appliances. Avoid
installing your refrigerator
close to warm water lines or warm air ducts.
Your refrigerator was thoroughly cleaned before shipment from the factory. It is
advisable, however, to clean the interior once more before using. Wipe the interior with
a cloth and warm water. Then wipe with a dry cloth.
Art02324
holes in metal
flange (4 places)
holes in cabinet
liner (4 places)

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Ventilation
Sufcient ventilation (airow) over the bottom mounted
condenser of the refrigerator is necessary for the
refrigerator to operate correctly. Cooler air goes into
one side of the front lower grill and passes over the
condenser. The air removes heat from the condenser
and the warmer air goes out through the other side of
the front lower grill. Make sure that the front lower grill
is not blocked so the air can easily pass through it (See
Art02325).
If you do not make sure that the ventilation is correct, a
shortened refrigerator life expectancy, poor refrigeration,
continuous operation, accelerated battery discharge and a void
warranty will result.
Installation Options
Install a decorative door panel
The decorative door panel must be 0.9 mm or less in thickness.
1. Remove the door from the refrigerator by
removing the four screws that attach the door
hinge to the bottom of the refrigerator (See
Art02326).
2. Remove the panel retainer by removing the
three (3) screws that attach the panel retainer
(See Art02327).
lower front grill Art02325
CAUTION
!
NOTICE
Art02326
screws
door hinge
Art02327
Panel retainer
Screw

9
3. Gently pull the door panel out of the
door (Art01895).
4. Push a new door panel into the door
slot.
Do not overtighten
the screws and bolts.
5. Put the panel retainer in the original
location and attach with three (3)
screws.
6. Put the door in the original location and tighten the four (4) screws.
Reverse the door swing:
1. Remove the door from the refrigerator by removing the four (4) screws that attach
the door hinge to the bottom of the refrigerator.
2. Open the door and pull it off of the top hinge pin.
3. Remove the three (3) screws that attach the
upper hinge (See Art02328).
4. Remove the three (3) screws that attach the
latch to the refrigerator.
5. Remove the hole plugs.
6. Attach the upper hinge and the door latch to
the opposite sides of the refrigerator. Put the
hole plugs into the empty holes.
7. Move the latch to the opposite side of the door
(See Art02329):
- Remove the two (2) screws that attach the door handle assembly to the door.
- Carefully pull the door handle off of the handle pocket, so that you do not lose the
attached spring.
- Turn the door handle over and push it back onto the handle pocket.
- Reattach the door hadle assembly to the door with the two (2) screws.
- Remove the hinge hole plug and put it into the hole in the opposite end of the door.
Art01895
Door panel
CAUTION
!
Art02328
Door latch
Upper hinge
Plugs

10
Art02329
Door handle
Handle pocket
Hinge hole plug
8. Put the door onto the refrigerator and make sure that the gasket seals correctly.
9. Install and tighten the four (4) screws that attach the door hinge to the bottom of the
refrigerator.
Door mounting options:
This refrigerator is made to be installed in two ways (See Art02375). The “Flush Mount”
is with the refrigerator door inside of the mounting frame. The “Proud Mount” is with the
refrigerator door in front of the mounting frame.
Proud Mount
Flush Mount Art02375

11
To change from “proud mount” to “ush mount”:
1. If the refrigerator has a bottom cover (optional), remove it (See Art02378).
- Loosen (but do not remove) the two screws that attach the bottom cover to the
refrigerator.
- Lift the bottom cover upward and forward off of the screws.
2. Remove the screws that attach the mounting frame to the refrigerator (See
Art02374).
3. Pull the mounting frame forward until you can see the ush mounting holes through
the mounting slots.
4. Attach the mounting frame using the screws removed in step 1.
5. If the refrigerator has a bottom cover (optional), put it back in its original position on
the refrigerator.
- Tighten the two screws that attach the bottom cover to the refrigerator.
To change from “ush mount” to “proud mount”, perform the above procedure in the
opposite sequence.
Art02378Screw (1 per side)
Bottom cover (optional)

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Proud mounting hole
(2 per side)
Mounting slot
(2 per side)
Flush mounting hole
(2 per side)
Art02374
Screw
(2 per side)
Connect the AC/DC supply
AC/DC models operate on either 120/240 volts, 50/60HZ AC current, or 12/24 volts DC
current.
When using either a converter or a battery charger, make sure that they are connected
in parallel between the battery and the refrigerator. Do not use a converter or battery
charger to supply the DC power directly to the refrigerator because these two devices
do not supply ltered DC power (See Art01521).

13
As the distance from the vehicle battery to the refrigerator increases, the correct AWG
wire size also increases. If he wire size is too small for the distance, a voltage drop
occurs. The voltage drop decreases the cooling performance of the refrigerator.
1. Norcold recommends that you use the following wire and fuse sizes:
- Measure the distance from the vehicle battery to the refrigerator:
- If the distance is less than 12 feet, use 16 AWG wire and a 10 Amp fuse.
- If the distance is between 12 and 20 feet, use 14 AWG wire and a 10 Amp fuse.
- If the distance is more than 20 feet, use 12 AWG wire and a 10 Amp fuse.
Art01521
Refrigerator Refrigerator
Refrigerator
Refrigerator
INCORRECT INCORRECT
CORRECT CORRECT
Battery charger or
AC/DC converter etc.
Battery charger or
AC/DC converter etc.
Transisterized
DC power supply
Transisterized
DC power supply

14
- Twist the lead wires to reduce the radio interference and induction of a high voltage
surge from the outside (See Art02376).
2. Connect the DC power supply.
3. Connect the AC power supply.
- Identify the AC power supply (See Art02377).
- Use the cord set with the 5-15P plug for connection to 120VAC.
- Use the cord set with the 6-15P plug for connection to 240VAC.
Art02377
Refrigerator
CORRECT
15 amperes
125 volts
AC plug
Refrigerator
CORRECT
G
G
W
15 amperes
240 volts
AC plug
Art02376
INCORRECT CORRECT
Electrical equipment
Battery Refrigerator Battery Refrigerator
Twist lead wires