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Hi I have recently bought my first (second-hand) campervan and am sorting out all its bits. My mum and I tried the fridge today and even though the gas is lighting and the electric fuses and socket seems fine the fridge isn't working on either 12v, 230v or gas - ie its still 75 degrees F inside after 3 hours!

We are going to try the 'turning upside down' technique but in case this doesn't work does any one know somewhere I can get it looked at in the Sussex area.

Cheers

Also if any one has any techniques for getting the fridge out it would be really appreciated.

Getting it out first requires the outside flue taking off and the flue extension pipe withdrawing, now as said 4 screws but depending on age, either behind plastic covers on the inside of the fridge in the door jam at the front edge, or screwed in the same area but from the outside in, or again behind plastic covers in a flange around the front edge of the fridge.

This should allow the fridge enough movement to slide forward about five or six inches so you can get at the electrical and gas connections. So power and gas off, you can disconnect these and the fridge will come completely out.

Regarding turning it over, yes this often works but no need to wait hours, just turn it over and wait for the fluid to stop trickling through the pipes, now back over and repeat half a dozen times. The last time you turn it right way up take care to have a watch handy and count the seconds for the last drop to stop trickling and hope for more than 10 seconds. If not keep turning and if your strong enough give it a thorough shaking.

Now again no need to hang around for things to settle, connect a lead with 3 pin plug and see if it now works on mains electric, should be down to freezing in the ice box in an hour. Use a saucer with a couple of desert spoons of water to see if that freezes after say two hours..

If all's well you can now but it back in the van, but remember the gas at least needs careful checking for leaks.

Thanks for the advice. Took it on a long trip today and decided to run the fridge on the 12v while driving. I think some rough ground and a very steep hill seems to have sorted it out as by the time we arrived at the beach the freezer compartment was starting to get frosty. I then put it onto gas and we had ice by the time we left!

I think the trick is to start it well in advance and fill it with cold or freezing food to begin with.

Thanks again everyone.