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Topic: Fridge Not Working - Electrolux

AndrewBelfast

17/7/2013 at 4:44pm
Location: Belfast
Outfit: Avondale Leda Grampian (Rav4)

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Hi all

Last Thursday we went away in the caravan and discovered on the first morning that the fridge (a 3-way Electrolux) had not cooled overnight. When we arrived at the site at 5pm I immediately connected the mains electricity and turned on the fridge to run off the mains as normal. (Incidentally, the indicator switch for running on the mains lights up as normal.)

At first I thought it might be the very warm weather we are experiencing, so I bought a couple of bags of ice to see if it would help get the internal temperature down and kick start the cooler. Unfortunately this did not work either.

Since returning, I learnt how to run the fridge off the gas. I left it running off the gas for an hour and it did cool the freezer compartment well. The central fridge seemed cool too, but I am not 100% sure if this was just the cold filtering down from the freezer compartment.

So, can anyone tell me what is wrong with the fridge??

Thanks in advance!

Andrew

tango55

17/7/2013 at 5:07pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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Firstly, the fridge will cool better on gas than it will on 240 volt mains and I think you will find that this is the norm. When you say that the fridge hadn't cooled overnight, by what means of power was you using, 240 volt mains cable connected to your house electrics?

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Jax365

17/7/2013 at 5:17pm
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi

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Sounds like your caravan just wasn't level enough, some are very sensitive on EHU, not so much so on gas.

Most of the coolness does cool the fridge by way of the freezer compartment if you have one. Mine just has an aluminium (?) bar which ices up and cools the rest of the fridge.

As tango above says, if you were trying to cool it on 12v, that won't work. 12v only keeps it cold when on the move and towing, but I believe you would have to drive over 100 miles or more to feel any visable effect on 12v.

Have you missed a switch somewhere that turns the electric to the fridge on? If you were still switched to 12v it might explain why it didn't work. And your leisure battery might well be flat! Check - did you plug it into a 3 pin socket inside your caravan and turn the switch on when you were away. I think the little indicator switch will be on whether on EHu or 12v.

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AndrewBelfast

17/7/2013 at 5:26pm
Location: Belfast
Outfit: Avondale Leda Grampian (Rav4)

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Hi guys

Thanks for the replies.

I have always run the fridge from the mains 240v electric. It hasn't been run on the 12v as yet. It has always worked on the mains up until now. I also made sure the fridge was level when I tested it overnight on the mains when I got home. So I am stumped!

michael

17/7/2013 at 5:30pm
Location: Lancashire
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sounds like the 240 volt element has gone. the main light will still light when connected to EHU.ask gary arc systems how to test the the element. one check is after connecting the mains if the element is working at all,warm air should be leaving the outside vent. normally if the fridge element has gone it will blow a fuse,check fuses first.

Post last edited on 17/07/2013 17:42:52

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

Gillian 58

17/7/2013 at 6:34pm
Location: Manchester
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We are sited and run our fridge on gas after it wouldn't work on electric, have to say it's cheaper and the fridge is colder on gas than it is on electric, we have it on a very low setting number 2 and it's fine .

AndrewBelfast

17/7/2013 at 10:34pm
Location: Belfast
Outfit: Avondale Leda Grampian (Rav4)

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Again, thanks guys.

Where will I find the fuse for the fridge? Do I need to remove the fridge from its placing, and if so, do I need to be careful of any connections etc?

Cheers for the continued help!

michael

17/7/2013 at 10:49pm
Location: Lancashire
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there may not be a fuse as it could be a trip box 240 volt.normally white.check it has not tripped off (switch down) needs pushing up.do not check any fuses with the EHU plugged in.

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

Bill Terry

18/7/2013 at 5:31pm
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If the fridge light is on when you are on the ehu and the fridge isnt getting cool but it is ok on gas, then I recon the element has given up.They are very easy to replace.My fridge freezer 240v element give up in my 12 month old van.cost me £30 ish. 4 screws in side the fridge 2 on each side with white caps over the screws,remove these, The fridge is then free to be removed. Take the vents off outside the van take the gas pipe off.(Gas turned off)remove the flu, then slide the fridge out.There are 2 elements,12v & 240v.240v normally is the large one of the two.It does have the number and voltage on the element.they just slide in & out of the holders in the black canister were all the insolation is. replaceing the compression joint, i use Rocol Foliac Threadseal, I dont use ptfe.on gas.but up to you if you get a pro in to couple back up & gas check it.good luck.

good luck.

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Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!

nant mill.N/Wales
just dont go there.

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