ENGEL GURUS PLEASE HELP!!

Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 15:33

ThreadID: 103262 Views:2989 Replies:9 FollowUps:7

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athdaddy

Hello everyone,
I got a 'hand me down' engel from my old man as he bought a new one. He replaced the thermostat before he gave it to me and since then i've never been able to use it. It never stayed on when plugged into 12volt, i've pulled it apart and got the circuit board tidied up (a couple of loose wires) but it still isn't working. when i plug it in it sounds like its working then it starts smelling like something is burning almost and then turns off after 5 seconds or so. I've taken it to a fridge mechanic but they just said it needs a new circuit board to the value of $650. i feel as though people have come across something similar and was hoping i could get away with it cheaper than that.
Any help/info would be greatly appreciated :)

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Reply By: Shaker - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:15

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:15

Usually it is too late if you can smell burning, so they may well be right!

AnswerID: 514889

Follow Up By: athdaddy - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:40

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:40

yeah thats what i thought, but hoped wasn't the case haha

FollowupID: 794044

Reply By: Rod W - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:24

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:24

Give it back to ya Dad and tell him you want your money back (LoL)

AnswerID: 514890

Follow Up By: athdaddy - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:41

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:41

i just might do that ;) lol

FollowupID: 794045

Reply By: Notso - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:42

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:42

It could be a high resistance in a connector or fuse holder. This can cause heating and hence a smell.

If you are able to use a volt meter check the voltage after the fuse and see what you're getting. With the fridge trying to run if it drops below 12 volts then I reckon it's probably the fuse holder.

AnswerID: 514891

Follow Up By: athdaddy - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:47

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 17:47

I will definitely try that! Thanks heaps!!

FollowupID: 794047

Reply By: Hoyks - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 19:03

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 19:03

The thermostat dial on mine died because the plastic surround in the transit bag kept pushing on it and eventually cracked some of the circuit away from the circuit board. Dial still worked fine, it just wasn't in contact with anything.

I got a mate that fixes electronic stuff to have a play with it and he soldered a new wire onto the terminal that cracked away and bridged it across to an intact segment on the circuit board.

A bit of silicone insulating compound added to support it all and it works fine. It's been 7 years now.

AnswerID: 514893

Reply By: Ross M - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 21:02

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 21:02

athdaddy
Some fridge plugs get loose on the contacts of the plug and DO NOT grip the pins in the fridge very well. When passing current they get hot and act as a resistance which shuts down the fridge. They get hot while it is trying to work and trying to pass the current and the plug sometimes smells burnt hot smell.

One of my fridges did this and was ok after crimping the plug terminals closer together so they make a positive/firm electrical contact and pass the required current flow with minimal resistance. Multi grips are your friend in such circumstances.

Ross M

AnswerID: 514897

Follow Up By: athdaddy - Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013 at 19:36

Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013 at 19:36

There's a heavy silver metal box with wires coming out of it that go to the circuit board, that gets warm and gives off the funny smell, any ideas what that could be? thermostat maybe?

FollowupID: 794100

Reply By: Echucan Bob - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 23:48

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 23:48

On mine the solder points from the thermostat variable resistor to the circuit board had cracked. I'd check every solder joint on the board and resolder as necessary. Use your finger to feel for components overheating. Its bound to be a bad joint somewhere.

Bob

AnswerID: 514906

Follow Up By: Member - Michael P (QLD) - Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013 at 09:44

Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013 at 09:44

Bob Hi,
I reckon feel if those red & black wires get hot. LOL.
Mike.

Member
My Profile Send Message

FollowupID: 794073

Reply By: jacent - Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013 at 20:23

Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013 at 20:23

Don't cut the red wire!

AnswerID: 514929

Follow Up By: jacent - Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013 at 20:24

Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013 at 20:24

Or was it black

FollowupID: 794102

Reply By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Thursday, Jul 18, 2013 at 08:01

Thursday, Jul 18, 2013 at 08:01

I would not touch anything on the circuit board with my finger while any power, including the 12V, was turned on. You may get more than you bargained for and find yourself plastered to the wall across the room.

I am not happy about people suggesting you even open it up if you don't know what you are doing.

Maybe the fridge was a timely (for Dad) and an expensive (for you) gift.

Phil

AnswerID: 514940

Reply By: Member - DOZER - Thursday, Jul 18, 2013 at 20:47

Thursday, Jul 18, 2013 at 20:47

does it run on 240 but not on 12, or not at all?? Because.......the Engel is just a 240 fridge with an inverter.....so....you should be able to buy an inverter from dicky smith, and throw all the other stuff, just keep the thermistat and 240

AnswerID: 514978