Fridge Issues

[stevo68]

Hey All,

Without going into my whole "Mr Bean" trip to Fraser, one of the things that went wrong ( amongst so many other things :eek: ) was my fridge went on the blink plus issues with the portable battery. First time I used it on Fraser pretty much 12mths ago......perfect, ran fine from the 12volt plug in the car and ran almost 48hrs off the portable battery. Next time round, issues with working off the battery, would be fine and then wake up in morning and the error light is flashing whilst it is still plugged into battery with temp rising.

This time round, after making sure battery was fully charged, first night ok, then same woke up error flashing. PLugged into car with car running, still flashing error and no sound. Kept fiddling, turning off and on, would hear I assume the compressor or what ever makes a fridge cold ( not technical this one) making a noise then click off and nothing, meanwhile temperature rising and 3 young children wanting fricking cold milo's :twisted:.

Anyhoo, thankfully Justin aka Dranged and Kathryn ( better half :) ) lent me one of their fridges and all was well again for the camping trip. Now Justin has dropped it off to my place this arvo, so thought would plug it into mains and see if it works............GRRRRRRRRRRR it does perfectly, everything running smoothly, temp has dropped from initial 18 to almost 5 in about 1/2 hr. So what could be the problem on both the battery and the fridge before I take it back to see what problem is, thanks

Regards

Stevo

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Apart from not an engel, what type of fridge is it?

[stevo68]

Its a Waeco, seems strange it is working fine now at home on mains power,

Regards

Stevo

[ladas]

Hey All,

Without going into my whole "Mr Bean" trip to Fraser, one of the things that went wrong ( amongst so many other things :eek: ) was my fridge went on the blink plus issues with the portable battery. First time I used it on Fraser pretty much 12mths ago......perfect, ran fine from the 12volt plug in the car and ran almost 48hrs off the portable battery. Next time round, issues with working off the battery, would be fine and then wake up in morning and the error light is flashing whilst it is still plugged into battery with temp rising.

This time round, after making sure battery was fully charged, first night ok, then same woke up error flashing. PLugged into car with car running, still flashing error and no sound. Kept fiddling, turning off and on, would hear I assume the compressor or what ever makes a fridge cold ( not technical this one) making a noise then click off and nothing, meanwhile temperature rising and 3 young children wanting fricking cold milo's :twisted:.

Anyhoo, thankfully Justin aka Dranged and Kathryn ( better half :) ) lent me one of their fridges and all was well again for the camping trip. Now Justin has dropped it off to my place this arvo, so thought would plug it into mains and see if it works............GRRRRRRRRRRR it does perfectly, everything running smoothly, temp has dropped from initial 18 to almost 5 in about 1/2 hr. So what could be the problem on both the battery and the fridge before I take it back to see what problem is, thanks

Regards

Stevo

If the compressor starts to run - then trips, clicks off, that "normally" indicates a compressor problem. Most have an overload or thermal cut out that will 'click' either when the compressors too hot or is overloading due to an internal fault in the compressor.

With most modern fridges (engel, waco or the like) have additional voltage protection if the volts are too high or too low. So if the batteries are flat the error would come on.

You should not keep switching a fridge on and off, this can cause thermal tripping as the compressor is trying to start against a high head pressure.

If you leave your fridge for half an hour or so, then re-try it with a decent battery or off the car with engine running. If it doesn't start after that then there could be a problem with the controller or the compressor in the fridge.

What voltage did the batteries drop to. ?

Another thing - are you trying to run the fridge at the minimum temp whilst on batteries ? I wouldn't recommend that either - get a simple temp probe or a normal thermometer and if you have it running at about half - then check the temp.

[stevo68]

If the compressor starts to run - then trips, clicks off, that "normally" indicates a compressor problem. Most have an overload or thermal cut out that will 'click' either when the compressors too hot or is overloading due to an internal fault in the compressor.

With most modern fridges (engel, waco or the like) have additional voltage protection if the volts are too high or too low. So if the batteries are flat the error would come on.

You should not keep switching a fridge on and off, this can cause thermal tripping as the compressor is trying to start against a high head pressure.

If you leave your fridge for half an hour or so, then re-try it with a decent battery or off the car with engine running. If it doesn't start after that then there could be a problem with the controller or the compressor in the fridge. Tried it off the car with engine running, no difference

What voltage did the batteries drop to. ? Battery was still showing 12volts +

Another thing - are you trying to run the fridge at the minimum temp whilst on batteries ? I wouldn't recommend that either - get a simple temp probe or a normal thermometer and if you have it running at about half - then check the temp. Nope run the fridge at bout 0 to -1, it has an temperature guage on it so you can set the temp THanks for some of that info I have responded to some in bold. I cant understand why it is now working perfectly at home, very frustrating considering the hassle it caused whilst away,

Regards

Stevo

[blitz]

The only other thing I can think of if the battery is fine is the condition of the terminals and connectors you can lose a fair amount of power if they are not clean and making good contact

[Quiggers]

Stevo, from what little I know about these devices, they should be in fairly constant use, run it on mains for a few days, then run it on 12v power for a while and see what happens - if it's been doing nothing for a long time, it may have aseal issue, causing it to work hard on 12v power, just a thought, I'm not an expert, but have had lotsa fun with fridges over the years......silly bloody things, must be a better way.....to keep a coldie cold, or the 'fricking bloody milo' :D :D :D

just sounds like something in the 12v area is loading up and cant get enought current to keep it happy......


GQ

[stevo68]

The only other thing I can think of if the battery is fine is the condition of the terminals and connectors you can lose a fair amount of power if they are not clean and making good contact The battery seems to run other things without a problem, it ran the fridge that I was given no issues. It also had the problem when plugged into the back of the D3 where it has a 12volt plug.


Stevo, from what little I know about these devices, they should be in fairly constant use, run it on mains for a few days, then run it on 12v power for a while and see what happens - if it's been doing nothing for a long time, it may have aseal issue, causing it to work hard on 12v power, just a thought, I'm not an expert, but have had lotsa fun with fridges over the years......silly bloody things, must be a better way.....to keep a coldie cold, or the 'fricking bloody milo' :D :D :D
Great minds think alike, that was what I was going to do, I completely flattened the battery so going to charge it up over the next couple of days whilst driving around and then plug it in and see what happens, otherwise off to Waeco for them to figure out. Yes if it wasnt for the generosity of being given a spare fridge, the idea of warm beer and no bloody milo for the 4 yr old, would have been enough to jump in the car, leave the tent and everything behind and bugger orf home :D

Regards

Stevo

[hiline]

best thing to do .............

take it back to the shop where you bought :D

then throw it through their window:angel:
and then ask for a Engel ;)

[Quiggers]

Good idea Hiline!

You know the Waeco mob cant spell, they insterted an 'e'........

GQ

[crump]

had exactly the same problem with my Waeco over the last three days, still investigating but after a drive it works fine, so I assume it has a low voltage cut out and my auxillary battery is on the way out?How old is your Waeco, you have 5 years warranty.

[stevo68]

had exactly the same problem with my Waeco over the last three days, still investigating but after a drive it works fine, so I assume it has a low voltage cut out and my auxillary battery is on the way out?How old is your Waeco, you have 5 years warranty.
Hey Crump, mine is only 12 mths old both the fridge and waeco portable battery. Just hope I can find the warranty, if not hopefully they will do the right thing as want to get sorted before next trip. At the moment it is in the next room, icy cold and working fine :angrylock: . From that I am assuming perhaps a problem with the 12 volt side of things as it had issues with the battery and also running off the 12volts from the car

Regards

Stevo

[crump]

Hey Crump, mine is only 12 mths old both the fridge and waeco portable battery. Just hope I can find the warranty, if not hopefully they will do the right thing as want to get sorted before next trip. At the moment it is in the next room, icy cold and working fine :angrylock: . From that I am assuming perhaps a problem with the 12 volt side of things as it had issues with the battery and also running off the 12volts from the car

Regards

Stevo
find your reciept, but dont bother looking for the owners manual, it tells you nothing.:mad:

[Quiggers]

Stevo, it might be worthwhile investing twenty bucks in a multimeter, then when the fridge is all setup with the other battery setup, measure what actual volts are going to the fridge.

As crump said, 'low voltage cutout', maybe a clever idea to stop a fridge pulling down a car battery thru the cigie lighter socket....

GQ

[crump]

Stevo, it might be worthwhile investing twenty bucks in a multimeter, then when the fridge is all setup with the other battery setup, measure what actual volts are going to the fridge.

As crump said, 'low voltage cutout', maybe a clever idea to stop a fridge pulling down a car battery thru the cigie lighter socket....

GQ
according to the manual it has one.

[stevo68]

'low voltage cutout', maybe a clever idea to stop a fridge pulling down a car battery thru the cigie lighter socket....
In the D3 it is a designated 12 volt plug, even says so :D , and I only use that when the car is running, then when I pull up stumps switch it over to the battery,

Regards

Stevo

[Quiggers]

Well then, Stevo, mate, there is only one problem... it's overloaded


with beer


and milo:D :D :D


(remove the hipflask of vodka from the power supply, too:D )


GQ

[ladas]

If it's running okay via the mains, then you need to check the voltage of:-


The batteries
The "12v" outlet - yes it may say 12 v but you need to check
The connections, leads, plugs, sockets etc.,

[rangieman]

As the saying goes you get what you pay for

im not going to say go buy a engel cause its already been said , i had my engel serviced about a month ago and the guy told me he gets 3 waeco,s to 1 engel , he might have been biased but why should he lie when he was a fridgey:cool:

[weeds]

have you tried wiring the fridge direct to the battery, i'm guessing the cig connection is not the best

i have converted both of my engles over to the hella type? connection, much more positive and more surface area

my mate wires his straight to the battery i.e. no plug the 12V wiring stays in the for good

[Utemad]

What model Waeco is it?

I have an 80L (CF-80) and it gave me a few hassles that were annoying but easy fixed. First problem fixed was the motor controller board was replaced under warranty. Before it was replaced it caused the compressor to run and then when the compressor stopped it would go clunk and then run again and would keep doing this until the battery went flat. While this happened the fridge would not get very cold at all. It would flash 3 error lights when doing this.

Second problem I think is the plug supplied with the fridge lead. I used the merit plug and socket with 10 square mm wire run to the back of my Disco. However the fridge would tell me the battery was flat and flash 1 error light. I got my multimeter out and read all the voltage drops and found the problem was in the lead. I called Waeco and they sent me a new lead. However I replaced the plug and socket on mine with the Clipsal low voltage plug. Looks like a normal 240v plug but has two terminals in a T configuration.
The crimped connectors inside the merit plug also come loose. My merit plug got warm though even when all was well.
The fridge runs like a dream now.

Just a hint though. For warranty work just call Waeco direct and ask for your nearest service agent. Then drop the fridge into the service agent yourself.
Although when my lead was faulty I called Waeco and told them I had chased voltage drops and found the lead was faulty. I asked them to send me out a new lead and they sent one out with a courier overnight.

[Blknight.aus]

Im tipping, that if it works fine off of 240v but buggeres around on 12v then the capacitors or a transistor on the voltage board (sometimes called a motor control board, converter board or a pletherora of other names) is dodgy. The board can be replaced quiet easily by yourself but you mustr be acerful as normally it is buried under the radiator so it hard to get to.. if you bust the radiator coils write off the fridge

[Captain_Rightfoot]

60l waeco and he said it could kill a battery in 24 hours. :o

[DRS]

I have a cf 50 running of a second battery in my D2. I had exactly the same problem. (error flashing intermit) Checked fridge no fault. Checked wiring which I had already replaced previous to the rear of vehicle)
Found it was the cig lighter connection not feeding correct power(dropping current under load. replaced it with a Anderson plug (50amp i think) works fine.

Hope this helps.
Dave

[justinc]

I also have a CF50 .In the back of the rangie I have fitted the second battery next to the fridge, and just fitted 12V Cig lighter as a power source. This has worked well for ages, including forgetting the fridge was on for 4 days straight, the battery was still above 11 volts because the fridge was still on...I have been happy with the Waeco so far, it has been dusted, vibrated( It isn't held down at all) and airborne a few times(!) and is very reliable. I would buy another.
In answer to the question, I would seriously doubt your 12 volt outlet or wiring is up to scratch, as these units have an under and over voltage cutout. I think it is 11V, and this is easy to get down to, as the volt drop over the distance from the batt to the rear of the car is considerable in some cases. This is why I mounted the second battery in the rear, apart from the fact it wouldn't fit in the front any more....

JC

[Utemad]

Im tipping, that if it works fine off of 240v but buggeres around on 12v then the capacitors or a transistor on the voltage board (sometimes called a motor control board, converter board or a pletherora of other names)

This is what was replaced on mine under warranty.

[stevo68]

Thanks there has been some excellent feedback, will look into all of those possibilities raised and let you know the outcome.

Regards

Stevo

[stevo68]

60l waeco and he said it could kill a battery in 24 hours. :o
Yep its a Cf 60, and it doesnt kill the battery, moreso when I wake up in the morning, the battery is still showing 12+ volts, but the error light is flashing and the temp has risen. AM going to trial over this break as battery is almost charged and switch it over and see what happens,

Regards

Stevo

[Slunnie]

I have a cf 50 running of a second battery in my D2. I had exactly the same problem. (error flashing intermit) Checked fridge no fault. Checked wiring which I had already replaced previous to the rear of vehicle)
Found it was the cig lighter connection not feeding correct power(dropping current under load. replaced it with a Anderson plug (50amp i think) works fine.

Hope this helps.
Dave
I'd put money on it being this. I've got the Evakool and it does the same thing. I get about 2-3 weeks worth of life out of the cig plug and although it will look fine visually even when you strip it, the resistance in it goes high and it trips the low voltage circuit and turns the fridge off.

Although you can run it on the cig plugs, to have any reliability you will need to run it from a proper power outlet. In my case I run a marine fitting and so far it has been faultless and the fridge works beautifully as it gets full current/voltage/goolies or whatever the hell comes along the wire.