Caravan fridge problems

you bet....best way to a cold shoulder

Hi Harry,

It's not a difficult job. Empty the fridge first ! ! ! Swich off and unplug the 240v lead from the socket. Open the access panels on the outside of the van. Disconnect the DC wires (note the + & - colours). Carefully remove the hot air vent, it just pulls out. Remove the 4 fixing screws from behind the buttons on the sides of the fridge (front). Carefully slide out about 4-6" and you will see the gas connection on the top right side. Use 2 spanners to undo. Carefully slide the whole thing out. I put a couple of those interlocking foam mat things down to protect the floor. Carfully invert a couple of times and leave for a while before reversing the process to reinstall.

I also made up a panel from colourbond to go from the top of the cabinet at the rear to the top of the fridge. ie. a baffle to deflect the heat from the top of the fridge up to the top vent.

Hope this helps.

As GeeTee said - block up all the space between the top of the fridge and the underside of the bench above - as well, do the same thing beside the fridge. If you can fit insulation bats or white foam board in all of this space it will provide extra insulation which will benefit your fridges efficiency as well. Make sure there is no more than 5-10 mm between the fins at the back and the side wall of the caravan. As well check that have installed the heat deflector from the top rear corner of the fridge to the top of the top vent.

read www.rvmobile.com/Tech/Trouble/vent.htm

PeterD

Just had a look at the link above and noticed it stated the fan should go at the top of the unit (sucking). Mine is at the bottom vent (blowing) and I am sure that is where the instructions said to put it. Should I change it to the top ??

Thanks GeeTee,
have noted those pointers and will act upon.
Just ask and ye shall have an answer.
Bluddy unreal this forum.

For you to have that problem means you probably have crystal formation in your sealed unit, which is a symptom of overheating, usually caused by running the fridge off level. (the ammonia fluid can't circulate, so it overheats)

The problem may return. In the meantime though, be carefull NOT to operate an absorbtion fridge off level (except when mobile)
Many people don't know this can literally destroy your sealed unit, AND it is NOT covered by warranty.
Cheers

Hi burnsy,
2001 Jayco Freedom Pop Top. Fridge is an RM2350. 6 years old. We bought the Prado new then the van. Just changed to a 2007 Nissan Patrol but still very happy with the van
Seems I may have the fan in the wrong place ! !