Engel issue running on 12v

Submitted: Friday, Aug 15, 2025 at 16:46

ThreadID: 151328 Views:7812 Replies:6 FollowUps:5

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Patrick M7

Hi,

First time posting in here.

I recently acquired an old Engel MRFT530A. Works on 240v, but when I plugged in 12v lead, nothing happens. Tried different lead, but same result.

So I had a closer look at the leads that the previous owner had with the fridge and noticed that he had one that had the 12v socket fridge connection, but on the other end was a 3-pin plug! I suspect he tried running the fridge using 240v through the 12v plug and must have blown something.

It does work when the 240v lead and 240v power is used.

Would this be a relatively easy fix?

Thank you in advance.

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Reply By: Member - Phil 'n Jill (WA) - Friday, Aug 15, 2025 at 17:17

Friday, Aug 15, 2025 at 17:17

Check the fuse, mine blew when the brother in law borrowed it and switched the plug adaptor. Easy fix if that is the issue. Good luck

Regards - Phil

AnswerID: 648419

Follow Up By: Patrick M7 - Monday, Aug 18, 2025 at 10:24

Monday, Aug 18, 2025 at 10:24

Thanks Phil.

I'll pull it apart when I have the time to check.

FollowupID: 929742

Reply By: Member - LeighW - Friday, Aug 15, 2025 at 17:41

Friday, Aug 15, 2025 at 17:41

If 240V has been connected to the 12V I would suspect that at the least any PCB's in the unit would most likely need to be replaced.

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AnswerID: 648420

Reply By: Sir Kev - Friday, Aug 15, 2025 at 17:56

Friday, Aug 15, 2025 at 17:56

Just buy a new 12v lead, they are not that expensive and will rule out the old lead being modified incorrectly.

Cheers Kev

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AnswerID: 648421

Follow Up By: Patrick M7 - Monday, Aug 18, 2025 at 10:26

Monday, Aug 18, 2025 at 10:26

I do have another suitable 12v lead and tried that with the. The fridge did not work on 12v.

240v power operation was still fine though.

FollowupID: 929743

Reply By: RMD - Friday, Aug 15, 2025 at 19:09

Friday, Aug 15, 2025 at 19:09

Patrick.
The 240vac board rectifies and supplies dc power to the compressor board., but delivers sq wave pulses to compressor The compressor board accepts the ac power and that is used to power OR if on 12vt steps up the power and again creates around 20 volts sq wave.
It is possible if an AC power Or reverse 12v power was connected to the 12v it has simply blown the fuse OR BLOWN the reverse Safety diode on the board. Disassembly of the power unit would be needed and the 12v side of the board investigated for damaged components.

AnswerID: 648422

Follow Up By: Patrick M7 - Monday, Aug 18, 2025 at 10:27

Monday, Aug 18, 2025 at 10:27

Thanks. I'll pull it apart in a few days, schedule permitting. (groan...)

FollowupID: 929744

Follow Up By: RMD - Monday, Aug 18, 2025 at 13:41

Monday, Aug 18, 2025 at 13:41

Patrick.
Be surprised! If you decide to investigate internals, they are HARD to remove circuit boards, etc, because of the way they are mounted on plastic barbed stand offs which are difficult to unclip.

FollowupID: 929746

Reply By: qldcamper - Saturday, Aug 16, 2025 at 07:20

Saturday, Aug 16, 2025 at 07:20

My guess is that the person you bought it from will have checked all the simple Utubeable fixes before deciding to get rid of it. A small 150watt 12 to 240 inverter will be the last resort and probably the most economic.

AnswerID: 648424