Engel fridge stopped working - help needed please!
Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 06:42
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Tony h1
I have an old Engel that has just packed up.It was running on mains and when I returned to the van it had stopped.It also blew the fuse in the 12v supply which I have replaced and its not gone again.
When connected to the mains it gives a 'buzz' every ten seconds and simultaneously shows 2vac at the compressor.On 12v nothing happens.
Not sure of the model - it's off white with a
grey trim to the door.
I would really appreciate any help or advice as no-one knows much about them here in the UK.
Thanks, Tony
Reply By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 08:05
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 08:05
It sounds to me that it needs a doctor. Are you able to take it to a fridge repair place?
Phil
AnswerID:
517902
Reply By: Ross M - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 09:40
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 09:40
G'day Tony h1
The ac voltage at the compressor should be around 20v ac or a bit more.
To me, it indicates the inverter unit has become faulty. Normally it changes the 12v to 20v ac and the 240vac is reduced to 20v ac.
Something in the switching section is either shorting or partially shorting and causing heavier current on 12v to blow a fuse.
Have a look for wires rubbed through etc. Unfortunately much of it is sealed and not easily worked on.
Cheers
Ross M
AnswerID:
517907
Reply By: The Bantam - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 09:54
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 09:54
Not particularly familiar with the internal details but, but lets begin with some very basic tests.
Firstly is this a unit with a mechanical thermostat or one of the fairly modern electronicaly controlled units with a digital display.
If it is one of the modern uints you have to seperate the issues down to the electronics pack the temperature control plate or the motor.
the older units there is an electronics pack that steps up the 12 volts to run the motor, the motor, the thermostat and the motor.
If you have blown a fuse and another...I doubt very much that will be a simple fault....but it might be worth checking for bad smells, chafed wires, loose connections and the like.
Sounds like you need someone who knows what they are doing with them.
There is a UK distributer...MPS trading in Sussex
google engeluk and it should get you there......they stock spares.
Any decent fridge mechanic should de able to sort it with some support from the distributer.
cheers
cheers
AnswerID:
517909
Reply By: oldtrack123 - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 11:14
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 11:14
HI Tony
Does it run OK on 240V??
If it does, that rules out the motor & the thermostat. & inbulit transformer
Which means the Inverter section is probabaly the problem
That may simply be a blown power transistor,possibly due to a DC voltage spike
although it could be some other componemt
[capacitors ,surge protector , plus]
Easy to replace by anyone with some electronics knowledge
Component replacement may require some readjustment of the inverter output frequency
to 50Hertz
PeterQ
AnswerID:
517920
Follow Up By: oldtrack123 - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 22:09
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 22:09
Hi
Just rereading your OP
I see it does not work on 240V
Looks like you need to find an Engel servive
shop in ENGLAND.
perhaps this link
http://www.engelfridges.co.uk/
PeterQ
FollowupID:
797704
Reply By: member - mazcan - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 11:35
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 11:35
hi tony
it could be the cable
check for continuity there may be a broken/fractured wire with-in
is the power cable old and knocked around
constant bending and flexing in the same place on a cable results in the internal wire breaking and either parting or rubbing together at the broken ends
with a fuse in wriggle the cable between your hand and see if you get intermittant power responses if you havent got a multi meter to
check continuity
AnswerID:
517921
Follow Up By: member - mazcan - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 12:10
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 12:10
also
check the 3 pins female plug and the 3 male pins make sure they are making good contact and aren't damaged they can give problems ihave had to close up the female plug contacts over the year as they get a bit wide
FollowupID:
797675
Reply By: oldtrack123 - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 12:23
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 12:23
HI
Neither is likely to have blown a 12v fuse!!
It is yet to be confirmed IF there is also a problem on 240V/
PeterQ
AnswerID:
517922
Reply By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 15:06
Tuesday, Sep 10, 2013 at 15:06
I'd give these guys a call
http://www.engeland.com.au/welcome.toy
no affiliation - just dealt with them before - what they don't know about Engel fridges isn't worth knowing .... nice people and very knowledgeable
AnswerID:
517925