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You got Fridge problems????

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16vmini View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 16vmini Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 11 at 15:45
ok , had someone look at the fridge ... said the 220v element is bust , and i need a new thermo coupler , (he could not order them so returned fridge , after cleaning it all up , un blocking gas jets .. so it will now light , just not stay alighted )

anyway used the fridge thread to order up the new parts.
so will fit those when they arrive.

next was the 12v , if i put a +12v onto relay i hear it click and fridge starts to cool.

now when i checked the plug under the sink ( dissconnected from fridge ) i only get 1.4 ish volts on the ignition wire ! 

can anyone tell me where this goes to ? guessing fuse box ?

regards

Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Joker_Club Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Apr 11 at 16:22
Just to resurrect this thread Wink the push-button in your fridge front panel is actually missing, that`s why you have to stick your pinkie down the hole to feel the gas valve button. There should be a long plastic button with a small "top-hat" on it (stops it falling out of the front panel, or not in your case) that sticks through the panel, this is what you push, which them pushes the valve in while the gas lights ands warms the thermocouple, which then keeps the gas flowing and the fridge lit.
 
Dunno why you`ve only got 1.4V, maybe a bad / poor fuse connection in the fusebox on the B pillar?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 16vmini Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Apr 11 at 09:03
cheers for that , i found out i was missing a button ! LOL , 

anyway update now is it all works on 12v and gas , but not on mains at the moment ( even though i bought a new main element ! ) ordered all the parts from the recommended place on here

Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Torkijo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 11 at 09:40
Originally posted by Joker_Club Joker_Club wrote:

Loadsa threads about problem fridges at the mo, must have been the Summer !!
 
Does your fridge work at all ?? Does it work on ANY of the 3 power sources?? In normal Summer conditions (ie not 40 degree heat in Morrocco) it should make ice on the element with any of the 3 sources of power ie 12V, 240V or gas. This will give you around zero to 4 degrees in the top of the fridge, minus degrees on a good day / night.
 
Easiest and quickest option if it works, but not very well, or works on some type of power source and not others, replace the gas jet as a matter or course, it`s a service item, replace the 12V element if at all suspect, replace the 240V element if at all suspect.
 
Having arsed about with my fridge due to problems like many others, I`ve done all of the above and the fridge now works as it should. What price can you put on cold beer Smile (oh, and not getting food poisoning from dodgy food not kept properly in the fidge)

Um, what happens if i get a click on the Gas, but it doesn't work on any of the 3 supplies?


Edited by Torkijo - 02 May 11 at 09:40
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote johnb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 11 at 12:15
Depends when the fridge last ran successfully.

12 Volt fridge only works when the engine is running.

Check that you have 240 volts where the fridge plugs in to the kitchen unit (continental adaptor and hairdrier is as good a check as any).  If you've got mains, the element is probably shot.

if it has not run for a while, it is probably worth stripping an cleaning the burner (an ultrasonic cleaner (as sold by Maplins) will clean the jet.  I'm assuming you have gas in the underslung tank and all the valves (the one on the tank and the two under the unit) are open?
My van is better known in these parts than I am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Torkijo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 11 at 12:29
Cheers
Been checking electrics and just found the hook up has an earth issue as when in the metal washer brackets on the water inlet gave me a shock and the leisure battery is completely dead so will fix those then try again before pulling out fridge again.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote johnb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 11 at 22:58
That sounds like no earth and reverse polarity - unpleasant to get wrong.

Have you an American or European import - it makes a hell of a difference to the wiring issues.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Torkijo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 May 11 at 21:40
Originally posted by johnb johnb wrote:

That sounds like no earth and reverse polarity - unpleasant to get wrong.

Have you an American or European import - it makes a hell of a difference to the wiring issues.

Its a German Club Joker

Looked today, there is no earth!

Re the fridge, have gas, have igniter clicking away but doesn't work on any, going to take it out to clean out the gas lines etc but a caravan repair man has checked the element on 240v and thats gone apparently, is the only way to test on 12v to run the engine?


Also, does it have a separate element for 12v?

Cheers
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote johnb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 May 11 at 11:13
Yes there is a separate element for 240V and 12V.

You COULD connect a 12 V battery directly across the 12V fridge imput - but the battery will drain very quickly - that's why they are relayed to run only when the engine is running.

I'm surprised there is no earth!  Eurostandard is earthed on an installation like that - I suspect it is detached behind the plug on the body.  Mine was very early and had no RCD.  I had the 6A connector replaced with a 15A IEC connector (I now need to carry a 6A to IEC connector for some French sites) and a modern RCD and distribution board fitted.  Everything was properly earthed though.

There are lots of threads on here detailing where to get and how to change stuff.  Good luck!


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Torkijo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 11 at 08:56
Hi folks, 
Found a 240v element on ebay but it appears the 12v is out of stock nationally.

Anyway, I am just post to thoroughly recommend All Seasons Caravans Ltd for fixing the camping part of the campers. 

They have a mobile service out of Nuneaton but cover all Cov & Warks and a bit more. No charge if they cant fix it and only £20 an hour for the work!

More to the point for £35 they serviced our fridge and fitted the new element i sourced and cleaned out all the gas lines and our fridge works for the first time since we have had the van! 

His name is Paul and his number if 07506 843156
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marlowe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Mar 12 at 16:02

Hello,

sorry about a fridge question, but......
 
My one is noisy, not all the time but I think when the ventilator comes on.
 
Has anybody had a similar problem and if so does anybody have a remedie.
 
It´s kind of annoyng when trying to sleep in summer. I have to turn the fridge off, which is not a perfect solution.
 
Ok
Thanks
Marlowe
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DaveyP2004 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Mar 12 at 17:03
Hi Marlowe,
The solution is to change the existing fan for a quiter computer fan.
There is info here:
 
and also if you search google for "fridge fan brick-yard" you will find more info.
 
Cheers,
DaveSmile


Edited by DaveyP2004 - 13 Mar 12 at 17:04
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Marlowe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Mar 12 at 19:08
Cheers Dave.
I´ve had a good shufty in the forum and up popped your suggestion.
I´ve ordered 2 "Silent" Comp ventilators.
Bit worried about the fridge removal and refitting. I hope all goes according to plan.
Thanks again.
Marlowe
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote getsideways Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Mar 12 at 23:09
Question for you those of you with working fridges, how long does it take for the heatsink at the back of the fridge to ice over, on gas/12/240?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Spyke Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 12 at 10:15
Saw all the shenanigans on here so thought I'd join in as well Tongue.
Looking around the net for my own Autohomes camper and came across an awesome info site. This was on there as well for repairing and toubleshooting fridges. May be of use (I know it's not the same fridge but principles should be the same).
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tram-man Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 May 12 at 22:32
Took my fridge out tonight and the jet hole was open but now looks slightly bigger after an hour in the ultrasonic bath. Both elements looks like they have been replaced recently. Cooling performance was poor on all sources (slightly better on gas). Looking at fridge cooling circuit I saw a small reservoir with a drain plug at the bottom. I sent the pictures to my airco guru guy and asked if he could refill the circuit. But he suggested that I should turn the fridge upsidedown for 2 days and then back 1 day before firing up. He said that absorbtion fridges use coolant type which tends to collect in areas of the circuit and then will not contribute anymore.

So I'm gonna do this. Obviously I can't compare back to back on gas as I have cleaned up the jet. But if he is right it should work much better on 12v/220v.

With regards to the fan I will be chnging my noisey Westy fan aswell but I think there are better fans out there in terms of noise than the link above. Arctic Cooling do a range of high quality PC fans (liquid bearings) which are about the 3-4 quid mark. They don't shift the 80cfm claimed by the one in the link above but they are about 23db and spin at 1350rpm. I reckon 2 of these next to each other would be a better option. Will find and post a link once ordered.


Edited by tram-man - 08 May 12 at 23:30


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BlackChart Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 May 12 at 08:27
And when turned upside down, tap it lightly on the cooling elements with a soft hammer, it loosens the crystalized coolant (it crystalizes over time)...

It made my stock Electrolux RM184EGI fridge work with allmost double effect, from being allmost 24 hours from warm to cold to the same in just over 12 hours :)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Mark-Hans Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Aug 12 at 21:47
Hot and Cold....Evil Smile

Well, I'm nearly new around here, but my goodness, you lot can get your knickers so twisted over the fridge issues. What is it around here?... running too hot, running too cold. If it's not that awful cooling system, it's that other awful cooling system!...., well, one is more reliable than the other, of which I speak of 'THE FRIDGE". The other cooling system, made mostly of water, rubber & millions of hose clips,........ I'd say that who ever designed it was on acid!..... God, give me my Air Cooled any day!.....I hate it.
Anyway, I digress,, 

As for the fridge bitches, can we all just be 'nice' over this subject. When it goes wrong, it's a daunting task. FACT!  Being on holiday with everything melting is no fun, especially when wild camping. For my own sins, I've added my bit to the forum recently & have to say, was totally successful in my repairs/service. There is however a system to follow and blindly changing fridge components is silly & a waist of time. If you don't really know, send it to a specialist to get it fixed. My first experience with my 'other' woman (my 1980 Westfalia) was a fridge in & out 10 times under the baking heat of Spain. I never did win & eventually bought a brand new Electrolux fridge for €850. There is a limit to how far you go!...... I wish I'd changed it after the second attempt. Having said that, at first attempt, I fixed my 1990 California fridge first shot!.... was just lucky. 

So, unless someone has written a perfect 'step by step' procedure to checking out your Fridge.. (like the one written for taking it out & putting it back in), then, let's all be open to help everyone get over these drama's. And the day that the procedure of service checking is written clearly, we can just gently refer them back to the link!...... Post it, & for sure, I'll check it word for word, task for task & write it again if necessary!........ no problem.

And what does that defrost switch do?....... defrost elements in the gas? Confused  I can't imagine.......

All double dutch...... Hug from Amsterdam. x 
Mark..Amsterdam
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote max and caddy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Aug 12 at 21:50
I got 99 problems but a fridge ain't one........I feel bad for thee son
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jason k Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Aug 12 at 21:53
just relax with a pancake and a schmoke.......... Wink
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