Is it worth re-vamping a 25yr old 2 way fridge??

Thanks for the reply, the seals seem fine, the aluminium fins at the rear of the fridge compartment (inside) don't seem to get very cold though.

naaa thats common with them when there not working right

its actually the freezer that cools the fridge

iv e always found those fridges to be tempremental and at best marginal

- look at other alternatives

Hey Jon , thanks for the info. Would be keen to see how yours pans out after the service,

cheers Unc

No worries, I'll let you know in this thread or if this one gets archived because I haven't got it back quickly enough I'll start a new one referring to this one.

Hi again Unc,
When I get it back I will install a 12V fan as well.
I have a computer fan that I'll wire in with a switch.
Or you can buy a solar one from HERE
They're used to blow air across the fins at the rear and push the air off them.

Hi Jon, I've seen some of those fans , they look like they would help quite a bit. I've just put some hinges on our fridge flap on the outside of the van, so now I can open the back of the fridge right up to get some cooler air in. I've also lined the spare space on the sides with pink batts for better insulation.


keep us posted on yours,cheers Unc

Hi Unc,
Just got a phone call from Paul, Paul Windmill Caravan repairs South Grafton.
She's fixed, New 12V 150 Watt element installed, so I can travel with it holding temp. New Sight glass stick, I broke ours, Dohilt
It's working like a treat, He's had it running on 240V, for three day, Fridge temp, 2C, four days on gas 2C. I did drop it off to him about a fortnight ago.
He cleaned the Jet, cleaned the flute, he said there was crap in it, so maybe the flame was not the right shape and temp. Fig 23-24 in the pdf file I posted the link to earlier.
I pick it up next week.
Then I'll fit the 12v fan.
Hope this helps Unc.

Once again, thanks Jon for your info. I took the jet out of this one ages ago and cleaned it, but that was quite some time ago now. I think I'll give it another clean, it wont hurt. Might even check the gas line where it goes into the bottle and make sure there is no wasp nests in there. Had one in the mower muffler the other day and the mower wouldn't start.!!
The 12 v element would be a bonus too. Any ideas yet on what the whole service has cost?


thanks again mate. Unc

Hi Unc,
Does your have an external exhaust pipe, maybe a mud wasp has built in there, I found one in there last year, so now when not in use I stuff a piece of fly mesh in there to stop the buggers. I also carry with us a ziplock bag with an old tooth bush, a little sealed container with metho in it to clean where the flame is, I've been told that they need to cleaned if you've run the fridge on gas for a couple of weeks.
$255 all up. I'm figuring that's not bad, the 12v 150w element are about 80-90 bucks, depending on where you get them, Maybe $120 labour, don't know what a sight glass stick thingy would cost, maybe $30 or there abouts.
So I can live with that.
Paul serviced my Chescold 50lt Fridge/freezer about three or so years ago, that cost $400 for a service, new thermostat and new jet. A lot of people thought I was nuts spending that much on a Chescold that old. It works as good as new. now on all three 240/12 & gas.
Also have a 33lt 3 way finch fridge. Brilliant on 12v for day trips, work great on 240 for when we go to BBQ's, never ran it on gas. I guess I should one day.
I reckon the 3 way's are great, thats just my opinion.
Cheers

hi Jon,
$255 sounds like a bargain, I'd even be happy with $400, bit less than a new fridge! anyway that will give me an idea, I'm going to ring our local repairer in the next week. the toothbrush idea is great, will give oyurs a tidy up this arvo when I get home from work. many thanks for the feedback Jon.

cheers Unc

No Worries Unc,
I hope you get it sorted and happy travels.

Cheers

Hi Unc,
I picked up the fridge today.
Shelled out the 255 bucks.
Pau'ls fitted the 12V element, fitted second hand sight glass & shroud.
Tested all three, Gas/240/12V all is working.

I asked what the problem was, he didn't really have an answer, just said maybe 1, I didn't have it dead level, 2) maybe me picking it up and tilting it to get it out of the camper made the gases move about.
Sorry I'm not much help to you.

Tomorrows job, wire up the 12V to a toggle switch and run it through the fuse box, connect the gas. Then go about running it on all three to see how cold she gets.
Then fix a couple of tears in the fly screen, adjust the hand brake and we should be right for Levuka at Easter.