Is My Chescold RC1180 Fridge Freezer Dead ?

Just come back from a trip west of Cunnamulla , Chescold was working fine on the 240 volt power in the shearers quaters where we were staying for the week . From there I run over to Currawinya on the Paroo ( 12volt while travelling worked fine ) and set up on gas and again no problem . Caught plenty of Golden perch and decided to keep three fish to eat at home . Packed up and left for NSW running on 12 volt , stopped on the river at Trangie for some more fishing , back to gas , left next day ( again on 12 volt )and arrived home and feeling the back of the fridge freezer I noticed it was not warm ( sign that it was not workin ) Fish still frozen so plugged into 240 volt and it worked well , I suspected I had blown a fuse in the car , several days later I checked the back of the fridge for warmth and although it was warm it was not as warm as it usually would be , couple days later it had gone cold , set it up on gas and run it for several hours , plates got cool but that was it .
Turned the unit upsdie down and over and over but no good , left it stored upside overnight and tried again but still no good .
Rang a repair shop in Sydney as to whether the unit was dead but the fellow I was speaking to wasn't interested to hear of the " symptoms the fridge freezer " had suffered but was adamant that he only had a couple of these units on special in his shop at this exact minute and I should act fast to secure one . My feeling it is dead and some have told me the fix is around $600 if it is the cooling unit which requires replacing , is there some one who specialises in these , or do I just update .

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Reply By: Member - bbuzz (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 09:47

Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 09:47
Get a quote. There are sensors and other little switches that go off. My Dometic had the 240v relay (or something) stop. Cost about $200 to repair which is cheaper than $1000 to replace.
Over 8 years use, you have to expect some maintenance to occur.

Bill
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AnswerID: 500461

Follow Up By: Ken S - Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 11:51

Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 11:51
Thanks , yeah thats what I was thinking , $1099 off ebay or $1200 from BCF , if fixable for a reasonable price am all for it , after getting on the ice roundabout at $4.50 per bag it would be false economy not to . Thanks for the reply .
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FollowupID: 776527

Reply By: Ozhumvee - Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 09:50

Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 09:50
Three way fridges as a rule work best on gas, not as good on 240v and 12v should only be used to possibly hold cabinet temps whilst travelling.
Ambient temps play a big part, most 3 ways will struggle over 30 C and would rather it be around 25 c. Some of the later model "T" rated units work well in high temps but can be affected by poor installation practices.
They rely greatly on free airflow over the rear cooling unit and if this is restricted then the fridge will not work well, sitting in a closed vehicle in high ambients running on 12v they do not work well as a rule.
From your post I think your fridge is a freestanding/portable unit as I'm not familiar with the model number.
As you have tried the "turn it upside down" to shake the refrigerant up and it is still not performing as it should it might be time to take it to have it looked at by a qualified tradesperson.
AnswerID: 500462

Follow Up By: Ken S - Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 12:16

Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 12:16
Thanks Ozhumvee , mate so many people have said the same thing about 12 volt running but mine was fantastic on 12 volt , would freeze any thing fresh added to the freezer no problems , although as you say they cant handle being locked in a sauna , a across Australia trip a couple of years ago during Summer saw the unit snug in where the rear seat of the hilux dual cab normally is so it travelled in air conditioned comfort and asked all of it and more . Carried frozen bait and meat out through Cape Arid National Park , through to Israelite Bay , up the Balladonia Track , back into the Baxter Cliffs and an extended stay in Twilight Bay south of Cocklebiddy , could have a frozen ice block any time and always had frozen meat , I am very keen to get it a : fixed or b: replaced . Yeah getting someone to quote is becoming a problem , any suggestions close to Bathurst NSW ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJoasZw7T3c is the unit I am talking about ( even this bloke says they are not great on 12 volt )
Thanks for the reply
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FollowupID: 776530

Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 13:05

Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 13:05
Check the rear cooling unit and the condenser inside for any signs of white gunge or dried powder, if so it has a leak and will need replacement.
They sometimes get a blockage when left sitting unused but you have already tried the twist it all about trick.
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FollowupID: 776536

Follow Up By: Member - Tony (ACT) - Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 15:25

Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 15:25
You could also give the flue a clean out with a small bottle brush. Worked on an old caravan 3 way fridge.
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FollowupID: 776539

Reply By: olcoolone - Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 21:33

Sunday, Dec 16, 2012 at 21:33
It could be a broken 12v heating element????
AnswerID: 500505

Reply By: harrywho - Monday, Dec 17, 2012 at 18:57

Monday, Dec 17, 2012 at 18:57
Hi Ken
Have the same fridge and they are good value.
Sounds like a your coolant gas has leaked out, maybe pipe fractured from vibration.
Also check the chimney as mentioned earlier.
Would take for a check and quote first up.

Harry
AnswerID: 500557

Follow Up By: Ken S - Thursday, Dec 27, 2012 at 05:57

Thursday, Dec 27, 2012 at 05:57
Thanks Harry, thats what I am thinking , cant find any sign of a leak or whitish fluid build up but I still think thats the problem ,
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FollowupID: 777136

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