Chescold F400 Explorer 3 way fridge
Submitted: Saturday, Jun 16, 2007 at 21:13
ThreadID:
46749
Views:
4214
Replies:
1
FollowUps:
8
This Thread has been Archived
ozwasp
Hi all,
I recently picked up a 2nd hand 39Litre Engel for a trip up to the Kimberleys I'm planning on doing next month (July 2007) and I have to say it runs brillantly!!!.. I wanted a car fridge so I didn't have to go into town and buy ice everyday and did look at the 3 way fridges as
well but thought the engel would suit my style better as I'm never in the one spot for too long.... Enough said
Just the other day I saw a 3 way Chescold F400 explorer for sale cheaply and thought I'd pick it up as
well, as over the last few years I've been heading up to Exmouth/
Coral Bay over
Easter and thought this would be ideal as I would be in the one location for more than a few days.... Anyway the fridge was iced up running on 240Volt when I purchased it so worked
well, but since then I've tried it on gas have found the slightest breeze will blow it out.... The problem is that it blows out every couple of hours, so really doesn't get a chance to chill. What I'm wondering is that how are you meant to live with a fridge that would constantly be off?? Everything appears to function ok on it and it's about 5-10yrs old. It is an outdoor style fridge, but would seem to work best indoors due to a lack of breeze. Any comments, suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.
Regards, Will.
Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Saturday, Jun 16, 2007 at 22:52
Saturday, Jun 16, 2007 at 22:52
Hi Will
Clean the jet and fit a new regulator to the hose.
They are good but need to be level and kept in good condition.
Regards
Derek.
AnswerID:
247335
Follow Up By: ozwasp - Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 01:44
Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 01:44
Hi Derek
Thanks for the reply.
The regulator seems to be doing a good job although it looks pretty old. It's regulating the gas to about a quarter to half of what a BBQ regulator does.
Not sure about the jet - how would you check?
I tried blowing through and only a miniscule amout of air went through
Also when its going and I adjust the gauge from minimum to maximum its seems to have little effect on the size of the flame - so it may
well be the jet
If it was the jet what's the best way to clean it/them?
Cheers, Will
FollowupID:
508202
Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 10:55
Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 10:55
Hi Will
Rinse the jet in a bit of vinegar and use a strand if electrical wire to make sure it is clean. You should be able to see through the clean jet.
Use your BBQ regulator to do a test as
well.
The control knob is just a thermostat and does not increase or decrease gas pressure.
If you have no luck then it will need a service at the service agents.
Regards
Derek.
FollowupID:
508228
Follow Up By: ozwasp - Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 17:10
Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 17:10
Hi Derek,
I tipped a bit of CRC down the mouth of the gas pipe yesterday and it didn't seem to like it.
Today I pulled the the back off, but found the jet a bit hard to get to as it's sealed in the burner so just used a wire brush to clean it up a bit then put it back together - it seems to be running better now, but will see later if it freezes a couple of
water bottles I've got in there now(as it does on 240 Volts).
The other thing I've noticed now is that the flame is a little bigger and it doesn't blow out as easlily due to this.... Also putting a brick infront of the flame viewing hole would help stop any direct breeze.
The only thing that concerns me about the burner now is that the end of the igniter seems to be glowing red all the time, as its in the flame - Is that normal?
Cheers, Will
FollowupID:
508283
Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 18:19
Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 18:19
Hi Will
Oil and gas don't mix. Please avoid crc and oils when using regulators etc.
The tip of the ignitor may glow if the flame is too 'large' wait for the crc to burn off and settle down.
Regards
Derek.
FollowupID:
508303
Follow Up By: ozwasp - Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 20:38
Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 20:38
Hi Derek,
Thanks for
the tip. I put some metho down the gas line to clean it up.
Don't suppose if you know if they run better on gas or 240Volts?
Cheers, Will.
FollowupID:
508350
Follow Up By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 20:45
Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 20:45
Hi Will
No metho !!!
Leave the hose alone, for now.
Have it checked by a repair
shop if unsure.
FollowupID:
508357
Follow Up By: ozwasp - Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 21:19
Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 21:19
Hi Derek,
It wasn't the hose, it was from where the hose screws onto the fridge.
It seems to be running ok now, although it seems to have got colder faster on 240Volts.
Will let you know of any progress and will leave it alone from now on.
Thanks for your help.
Cheers, Will
FollowupID:
508365
Follow Up By: ozwasp - Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 10:50
Tuesday, Jun 19, 2007 at 10:50
Ok, here are the results from the fridge:
On gas while freezing 3 x 2litre
water bottles the lowest reading I recorded was minus 10, while the next morning on 240Volts and the bottles all frozen minus 10 also.
I would say the gas would work better as to get to minus 10 while the
water was still freezing is better than getting to minus 10 once the
water had frozen
It wasn't exactly warm outside though - been only about 18 during the day and maybe 8 at night - still as long as it gets beer down to 5 when its 35 outside is all I'm worried about!!
Cheers, Will.
FollowupID:
508648