Chescold explorer problems
Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 18:48
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ozetrade
Hi,
I have a Chescold Explorer, also known as a F400 I think. It's working great on 240v and 12v, but doesn't even think about getting cold on Gas.
The pilot light starts up OK and continues to burn, but stil no cold fridge, not even cool.
The only thing I know about fridges is that turning them upside down for a while can get them working again if they have been sitting idol for while, but this hasn't worked. It draws 10A on battery, so gas is my preferred option.
Any help appreciated - or if anyone can point me to a recommended repairer on the north side of
Brisbane,
Thanks
Greg
Reply By: joc45 - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 20:25
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 20:25
Check the chimney/flue for any fluff or crap buildup. Found this a problem on an Electrolux some years ago.
Gerry
AnswerID:
137339
Follow Up By: ozetrade - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 21:11
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 21:11
Thanks,
I thought I'd have a fiddle while I waited for replies - found the problem. I did clean the flue, it wasn't blocked, but had a lot of surface rust - would not have helped for heat exchange, but that wasn't the problem.
There's a tiny jet that feeds the burner/pilot flame - it was slightly blocked. I cleared it with a thin piece of electrical wire - had to use a magnifying glass to do it. Now she's working like a beauty again. Even though I was able to light
the pilot light before, now there is a decent flame there to send heat up the fkue.
Thought it best to post my solution so others can have a chance at fixing their own fridges.
Greg
FollowupID:
391037
Follow Up By: Member - Duncs - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 22:30
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 22:30
That's the beauty of the old Chescold. It's wither simple or fatal not much in between.
Mine is in semi retirement sitting next to the bar-b-q keeping the drinks cold.
Duncs
FollowupID:
391049
Follow Up By: joc45 - Wednesday, Nov 02, 2005 at 14:01
Wednesday, Nov 02, 2005 at 14:01
Hi Greg, glad you got it going.
Thinking back, the fluff was in the air intake of the burner.
The pilot flame worked, but somehow the fluff affected the performance of the burner. Blew out the fluff, and hey presto...
This was in a caravan Electrolux, and believe me, it was not easy getting to the burner. I also had trouble trying to find out why it would not work off mains power. After pulling the fridge out, I found the 240v cable just coiled up under the fridge, nowhere to connect it! Dohh!! (This was a
well-known Victorian-make caravan, but an industrial version). Ended up having to run an extension cord to under the fridge to get it to work off mains. Their ventilation method was also contrary to the instruction manual, and I had to remove part of the top to let the air thru - was totally boxed in prior to that. Not sure how this caravan mob stayed in business.
Gerry
FollowupID:
391110
Reply By: porlsprado - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 22:27
Tuesday, Nov 01, 2005 at 22:27
Looking forward to better responses but from general knowledge and i don't have a gas fridge i might take the chance of stating the obvious that i am led to believe that gas fridges must be level, in a real sense, to be effective on gas. A few degrees of 180 and i am led to believe there will be problems. Sorry if i am stating an obvious.
AnswerID:
137357
Reply By: Blaze - Wednesday, Nov 02, 2005 at 00:00
Wednesday, Nov 02, 2005 at 00:00
My brother has owned 2 different model Chescolds, and they are R/S on 12 volts but the best you could get on 240volt or gas, one secret we found when using Gas, make sure fridge is level, if it is even a little out the thing will not work properly.
Hope you get it working.
AnswerID:
137372