Dead Waeco CF50

Submitted: Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 10:14

ThreadID: 76171 Views:9758 Replies:5 FollowUps:5

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Portable Fridges

The debate over which fridge is the best on the market is one of the most contested discussions in the camping recreation. In this article we look at the range of features and the major issues to

Kiwi100

Four years old and never used, but stored clean and dry. Plugged it in to 240V and there's nothing. Fuse is OK. Any clues or is it a job for the experts?

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Reply By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 10:23

Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 10:23

I had one of those that did exactly as you have described. Problem turned out to be a lleak in one of the coolant pipes inside the foam jacket. Could not be repaired because the pipes are inside the foam. Took it to Waeco authorized repairer who took it up with Waeco. It was out of warranty, but they offered me a good deal that I was happy with. Have been very happy with my replacement Waeco

AnswerID: 405002

Reply By: Member - Alastair D (NSW) - Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 10:28

Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 10:28

Kiwi,
I assume you tried it when you first bought it and it was ok, not DOA.

Fridge compressors can stick but this would be rare for an essentially new unit.

Have you tried running it on 12v ? If not then give it ago. There is a possibility that the 240 supply is dead. If it works then you have a 240v problem, if not then try the following.

Put the fridge in a warm place - sit it in the sun. When it is quite warm plug it into the power. If it still does not start then give it a decent thump while still connected which might unstick the compressor. If it works then leave it running for a few hours. If not then off to the repair shop with it.

I have used the above approach on a couple of old fridges which tend to stick after not being used for a while.

Sure you will get lots of other suggestions.

cheers
alastair

AnswerID: 405003

Reply By: gilly4 - Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 11:13

Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 11:13

We ha our 240 side stop too on the same fridge , 12v was fine , we were still under warranty luckilly , I would give the 12v a shot first

AnswerID: 405014

Follow Up By: Member - Peter R (QLD) - Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 11:52

Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 11:52

Did you press the on/off button.

Pedro

FollowupID: 674729

Follow Up By: ob - Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 12:38

Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 at 12:38

Yep. my young bloke had the same problem worked fine on 12v 240v nothing
The 240v to 12v transformer died

ob

FollowupID: 674736

Reply By: Kiwi100 - Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 07:58

Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 07:58

Yep, tried the on/off and other controls, but no response. Can't find my 12v lead - still looking.

Will try the sit-in-the-sun-and-literally-boot-it-up theory today. Then it's off to the fridge doctor, I fear.

Thanks for the responses.

AnswerID: 405141

Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi_In_Aussie(Wagga) - Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 08:50

Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 08:50

Can I suggest that once you do get it going that you use it at home as a spare 'beer fridge' and run it on a daily basis

I had an Engle that had only ever been turned off for 1 month (moved to Malaysia) over an 11 year period

I also have a Waeco which I do the same to and it has run continuously now for 4 years - only time ever turned off is the time it takes me to unplug from 240v and put into 4x4

FollowupID: 674864

Reply By: Kiwi100 - Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 13:11

Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 13:11

OK - it has been sitting in the sun, given a bit of a thump or two, and plugged back in to 240v.

Zilch.

However, I tried turning the switch labeled "Emergency" to "on" and the motor began to run. The display, however, remains lifeless. I didn't leave it running for more than a couple of minutes, so there was no perceptible cooling.

My instruction manual describes this Emergency switch as:

4. Emergency Switch: Should be in "OFF" position for normal operation. "ON" position keeps cooling function upright in case of electronic defect.

What on earth is that supposed to mean???

AnswerID: 405185

Follow Up By: Kiwi100 - Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 13:38

Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 at 13:38

A bit of a search turned up a UK Frequently-asked questions page that answers my last question. For the benefit of others, it's here:

http://www.waeco.co.uk/page.aspx?page=faq&s=4

What is the Emergency Switch on the CF50?

The emergency switch on the CF50 is a safety device that is unique to WAECO fridges. It is presently only on the CF50 but will be extended to all models in the future. It allows your fridge to run if the electronics fail for any reason. This avoids any food being lost if you are a long way from a service point as the fridge will still run even with an electronic fault.

For normal operation, the emergency switch should always be in the OFF position. When the switch is in the ON position, it will bypass all the electronics and the compressor will run continuously therefore freezing all your food. You can modify the temperature by periodically unplugging the fridge.

Please also be aware that by bypassing the electronics, you will also have no battery protection!! The bypass switch is a very worthwhile convenience and safety feature but it must be used correctly.

I have yet to find the 12V lead, but I guess I now know that the unit functions but needs to go to an agent to find the fault.

FollowupID: 674896