Power surge to Autofridge

Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 26, 2006 at 15:12

ThreadID: 36171 Views:3998 Replies:3 FollowUps:2

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Rod W

Due to me Missus putting to many bench top cooking appliances and a portable heater on the other night, the safety switch/fuse tripped off. Unplugged some of them and then re-set the switch. The next night went to get a coldie out of the Autofridge, the temperature was up, and the beer wasn't as cold as it should be. Checked and replaced the blown fuse in the transformer, still no luck, so checked the 12 volt fuse in the fridge. Yep blown so replaced it, turned it on again, and puff blows again. So replaces the fuse and connects the fridge to the 12 volt vehicle power and puff blows the fuse. So alright I've got a problem with another component. With only having 3 electrical components (switch, controller box and compressor) I decided the black controller box is the next to replace. Phoned Danfoss and a few repair shops here in Perth quote them the part number and get told its no longer made (my fridge is 10yrs old), will need a complete refit approx $900.00 (which I've read on here before), Bugger. Rang Quirks in Sydney yep they can supply, not new, but rebuilt controllers but need the serial number of the fridge to confirm. Today phoned em back with the serial number, yep we have one to suit $230 delivered. So one is on the way.

So with the benefit of hindsight I will attach the fridge to a surge/spike protection unit whilst on 240v supply.

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Reply By: joc45 - Wednesday, Jul 26, 2006 at 15:37

Wednesday, Jul 26, 2006 at 15:37

Hi Rod,
Guess anything's possible, but I would have thought that the 12V power supply running the Autofridge would have karked it before the power surge got thru to the fridge.
But, anythings possible....
Suggest you check that the power supply is still delivering the 12v ok before reconnecting the rebuilt fridge (check with and without a 5A load).
Got one of these things (also about 10yrs old), and it's good to know that Quirk's still stock the old bits.
cheers,
Gerry

AnswerID: 185414

Follow Up By: kesh - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 10:07

Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 10:07

The problem would have been the polarity protection diode in the electronic controller. These can "die" under certain conditions, creating a short circuit so that the 15a. fuse keeps blowing.
Happened in one of my (also old) Danfoss units, just removed the diode and off it went again. Will replace the diode some day, provided you dont reverse the polarity no further damage will occur.
kesh

FollowupID: 442386

Reply By: LONER - Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 20:52

Thursday, Jul 27, 2006 at 20:52

The power surges from the Gensets are always in the back of my mind when camping, I to have an Autofridge (best fridge I have ever used or seen used whilst camping) and I run a 100 metre long 20 amp lead from the Genset to the campsite into a quality Surge Protector Power Board ($220.00) and then run leads from this to the fridges, laptops, lights etc, this gives me piece of mind at all times and I have never had a problem with any electrical gear since going this way 5 years ago. It is good to se that Quirks keep spare parts for older fridges, Trailblaza are also extremely good at the parts/assistance when/if any problems occur.

P.S. Please dont take this as an invitation for a Fridge debate as its only my opinion and it counts little in terms of the amount of campers/fridges out there.

AnswerID: 185697

Reply By: Rod W - Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 17:42

Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 at 17:42

Just a follow up to my initial post. It was the compressor that buggered up. So I now have the new smaller compressor in the fridge which is very very very quiet for $825 and done here in Perth by Lyons Refrigeration.

Quirks (now Conergy) have advised they will take back and refund me for the Controller box that I purchased from them.

AnswerID: 190320