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Topic: Thetford Refrigerator Tripping Electric

mackney

22/3/2010 at 3:41pm
Location: Derby
Outfit: VW Campervan & Base Seconds XL

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Hello everyone,

I'm really looking forward to this season and have fetched my Abbey from storage :)

I performed a couple of quick tests (Gas, 12v system, heater etc) and found that when I turned the fridge to 230v the main fuse box trips everytime.

Does anyone have any basic suggestions for me to start to explore? It 'seems' to run OK on 12v.

The fridge is:
Thetford Dometic Refrigerator with ICE freezer 12v/230v/GAS

Thanks for any help in advance :)

Richard

michael

22/3/2010 at 3:43pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

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sounds like the element is shorting out and may need replacing,providing all connections are made good. look here

http://www.gasrefrigeration.net/dometic_manuals.htm

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

cliffbrown

22/3/2010 at 4:15pm
Location: chesterfield
Outfit: Ford Kuga AWD & Lunar Clubman SI

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Yep I second that the 240v heater, it has two heaters one for 12v and one for 240v.

mackney

22/3/2010 at 4:50pm
Location: Derby
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Thanks for your quick responses! I'll check out the link.

On a side note - could it be possible to make a fridge trip out from a neighbouring heater being on high and overheating the fridge? The only reason I mention this is because before it tripped the heater was pumping out heat to warm the van and I have never set it to 2000W before.

Thanks
Richard

cliffbrown

22/3/2010 at 4:57pm
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have you tried it again without the heater?

mackney

22/3/2010 at 5:08pm
Location: Derby
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It's the first thing I'm going to try when I get home tonight :)

Which, I know will answer at least one of my questions! ;)

Thanks
Richard

arc systems

22/3/2010 at 6:18pm
Location: None Entered
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The element is most likely damp, running the fridge on gas for a few days usually dries it out and it will then work ok

michael

22/3/2010 at 8:17pm
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see if it has tripped out on the box with all on,you may be trying to use too much electric and tripping out.if we put our heater on 2000 and have tv ,fridge and water heater on,ours will trip out.if we have hot water and heating on we do not try to boil a kettle,just a thought. i dont bother it saves me going for a warden to switch on the outside post.

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

mackney

24/3/2010 at 11:32am
Location: Derby
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Hi Michael, I've tested the load, that's OK, it trips with nothing else on at all.

Hi Gary, thanks for this suggestion, it's now on gas for a few days and I've got my fingers (and toes) crossed.

Richard

michael

24/3/2010 at 11:50am
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Hi Michael, I've tested the load, that's OK, it trips with nothing else on at all

ok,try garys suggestion as he's the man and our expert on advice.check also the switch on the fridge as i had one go on our last caravan and needed to replace it.

spares from here if required.

http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan/electric/Fridge_Spare_Parts$$11.aspx

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

mackney

13/5/2010 at 3:21pm
Location: Derby
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I just wanted to add to this post and thank you all for your suggestions - especially Gary.

After running the fridge on gas for a couple of days, it is now working perfectly on electric :)

Thanks!

Rich

holmesgster

17/11/2021 at 3:06pm
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Old tip I know but just read about damp elements causing cb to trip (Thetford fridge/freezer) when set to electric.
Just put it on gas, will see how it goes.
BUT, my question is how do the elements get damp in first place.
Any suggestions welcome.

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