caravan refrigerator

Submitted: Thursday, Dec 26, 2002 at 01:00
ThreadID: 2712 Views:6998 Replies:8 FollowUps:7
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does anyone know about caravan fridges do they work like the old kero fridges when you turn them upside down it movess the gases around and makes them work .Mine has stopped working properly ,electrically it appears ok thermostat etc but the fridge does not get cold enough to keep the beer cold !!!!! freezer box almost holds already frozen stuff but will not freeze unfrozen stuff.just wondering should i roll it around a bit or seek professional advice (van/fridge only 2yrs old)
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Reply By: ExplorOz Team - David - Thursday, Dec 26, 2002 at 01:00

Thursday, Dec 26, 2002 at 01:00
I suspect that you have lost your gas. My advice is take it to a refridgation shop and have then check it out.

David
AnswerID: 10188

Reply By: Mick - Thursday, Dec 26, 2002 at 01:00

Thursday, Dec 26, 2002 at 01:00
Yes Steven most caravan fridges work on the same principle as the kero fridge and the original "Silent Knight" fridge. Apply a source of heat - flame or electric element to one side to cool the other. Turning them upside sometimes works I'm told but I think at 2 years old there's probably something wrong that needs repair. My van is 24 years old and the fridge is still as good as new so you should expect a long trouble free life!
AnswerID: 10194

Reply By: sean - Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00

Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
Problem with caravan fridges is they are marginal at the best of times. We live up north origially purchased our van from Melb. In Vic the fridge worked great (as long as it was very level). Got the van up north (in 45 dec heat_ and it would not get below 8-10 deg. So I took it in and found that repairs were almost as much as a new one. So I spent over a grand for the new fridge only to find that it is still marginal in hot areas.

I improved the ventilation and even installed a computer fan to help cool the coils and this helped only a little. (We are talking about a brand new fridge here). I would in fact rate it as bloody hopeless in any area that the temps are above 30 deg.

Consider an engel compressor fridge as these DO work but problem is getting enough power to run it. Even our 40 litre portable engel will run out an auxillary battery in 36 hours in hot conditions. Its a great touring fridge but once camping - it all gets hard. Maybe another grand on solar panels is the way to go.

Met a bloke who was travelling the north with a small 240 V bar fridge ($350.00) that he ran off a honda generator. We lives in his van and mostly stays up north.

Good luck

Sean
AnswerID: 10199

Follow Up By: Diamond - Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00

Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
we have a 6ft by 8ft pop top we dont do any hard off road with the camper on the back.couldnt see the point in spending $900plus for a waeko/engel 40ltrs so we bought an 80ltr bar fridge for $220 and an 800 watt inverter from super cheap for $300 battery laster 2 night and one day but went for a drive and charged up for more cold beer and frozen meat .
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FollowupID: 5382

Reply By: rodeoowner - Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00

Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
Steven, does the fridge run at all on 240V? If the problem of 'not working' only exists on one power source, the the refrigerant gas system will be ok. The refrigerant coil can sometimes get an airlock in it which will stop the fridge from working. I take it that the fridge is an upright unit? With the eski types you can slowly tip them on their lid and back over onto their base again and this is usually enough to clear any airlocks. If the unit is permanently fitted then hitch it up to you car and drive down the bumpiest road you can find. This may also clear any air lock. If this doesn't work call a specialised fridge repairer (if you are in a major city) or else call around gasfitters but ask them if they are familiar with gas fridges 1st!
AnswerID: 10205

Follow Up By: Member - Steven - Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00

Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
it is the same on all sources in fact i wonder if it was the gas that caused it as i tried to run it on gas at gemtree overnight because there is no power ( generator supply) it was the first time on gas and thoughti was setting the van alight from the smell of it burning in the bits and pieces .it never worked right after we arrived here from alice (we are back in melb now) i will take to a pro i think . thanks steve
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FollowupID: 5379

Reply By: bruce - Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00

Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
Steven , we had the same problem with our 3 way f/f , a friendly gas refridgeration man told us to turn it upside down for 24 hrs , then upright for 24hrs , then try it...worked like a charm..hope this is helpfull...cheers bruce
AnswerID: 10207

Reply By: ROWDY - Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00

Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
The web site Howstuffworks has a section on fridges. It explains the basic principles of refridgeration and covers most types of fridges.
Rowdy
AnswerID: 10208

Reply By: Member - Steven - Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00

Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
thankyou to all who replied fridge was working fine in alice springs moved to gemtree for a few days and ended up with luke warm beer so maybe something has leaked out i will have to take it to a fridge mechanic and get a full reportbut electrolux only give 12 month warranty but i will see if there is any comeback as for car refidge i am looking for a new one as i currently own a $900+ice chest (supacool with a buggered compressor )thats what comes of being patriotic and buying aussie made next one will be engel or waeco thanks again to all who answered steve
AnswerID: 10216

Follow Up By: Member - Greg - Saturday, Dec 28, 2002 at 01:00

Saturday, Dec 28, 2002 at 01:00
Steven, here's my 2 cents worth.Take the cover off the outside vent
while the fridge is going on gas I presume,and the take the metal cover off the section where the pilot light is.If you havn't got a strong flame chance are your jet is blocked.This can be taken out quite easily.Have a look & see if it looks partially blocked.If it is a single strand from a wire brush usually frees it..Works for me.. Regards greg g

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FollowupID: 5350

Follow Up By: Steve - Saturday, Dec 28, 2002 at 01:00

Saturday, Dec 28, 2002 at 01:00
Steve I am confused about your exact problem Is your fridge a three way fridge or a portable chest type fridge. If it is a Supakool fridge I suggest you call me so we can discuss exactly what your problem may be we may be able to help you My name is Steve Tanner and I work for Evakool and can be contacted on 0754927777 or E-Mail a replt to service@evakool.com with your contact details and I will contact you as soon as possible Steve
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FollowupID: 5365

Follow Up By: Member - Steven - Saturday, Dec 28, 2002 at 01:00

Saturday, Dec 28, 2002 at 01:00
the problem is a 3 way electrolux caravan fridge 2nd problem is supacool fridge quoted by evacool $700 +delivery for new compressor unit I would rather shove it in the garden and grow a lemon tree in it than pay again as it is the replacement for the 1st one which was no damn good either
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FollowupID: 5368

Follow Up By: Steve - Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00

Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
Steve $700 is for a complete Danfoss re-fit kit which will make your fridge better than same Waeco or Engel unit I again ask that you contact me Steve
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FollowupID: 5401

Reply By: rodeoowner - Monday, Dec 30, 2002 at 01:00

Monday, Dec 30, 2002 at 01:00
Steve, try Caravan Refrigeration Service in Melboure.
AnswerID: 10327

Follow Up By: Member - Steven - Tuesday, Dec 31, 2002 at 01:00

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2002 at 01:00
thanks rodeoowner thats who i was going to go to
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FollowupID: 5430

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