caravan refrigerator

I suspect that you have lost your gas. My advice is take it to a refridgation shop and have then check it out.

David

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!

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

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!

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

The web site Howstuffworks has a section on fridges. It explains the basic principles of refridgeration and covers most types of fridges.
Rowdy

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

Steve, try Caravan Refrigeration Service in Melboure.