Thread: One for the fridgies

Originally Posted by V8Ian

I was thinking the same.

A Fridgie's dream. But what about the extra Dosh every 4 weeks just for being a nice bloke & staying in?

I notice that of all those visible none have the arse out of their Daks.

Previous to my recent trip, I last used my CF50 at Easter when I went to Cooma. Since then it was unused. I loaded and switched it on the morning of my departure to Alice Springs. On the first day it became apparent that it was more esky than fridge.
Since getting home I've tried it on mains power to eliminate a problem with the 12/24V side of things.
Result, same symptoms on both voltages, which indicates to me that it's a refrigeration problem rather than an electrical issue.
What I know about sparks and smoke could be summarized on the back of a postage stamp, with a broad tipped felt pen. My refrigeration knowledge is considerably less.
The motor can be heard running so presumably the compressor is also working also. I realise there's no guarantee the gas hasn't escaped, but this seems unlikely in storage. My uneducated guess is the thermostat.
A new thermostat can be had for under fifty bucks in my letterbox, considerably less than a new fridge. Is this a diy type repair? I'm assuming it's a purely electrical repair, with no invasion of the gas circuit.

Hi,
If the motor runs, the thermostat will be on until the fridge cools. If it kept running till everything was frozen, the thermostat is faulty (won't turn off) but the motor/compressor is fine.
Sounds like it will be a gas/compressor problem.
Cheers

Does it have a small fan and a Compressor?If so you need make certain the Compressor is operating,as you could be hearing the fan.

If it is running,as Austastar said,either the compressor is not pumping,or there is a refrigeration system problem,blockage or out of gas.

The gas often runs out when they are switched off,as refrigerant is very reactive to temperature,so the gas pressure rises in the evaporator when it is turned off.
And the evaporator is generally the weakest part of the refrigeration circuit.

I haven't done much on camping fridges for over 20yrs,but PM me if you want me to take a look,maybe drop it off sometime when passing.
If it is leaking it probably cannot be repaired unfortunately.

Thanks Paul.
Sounds like a fan, more than a compressor. Does the gas have a dye, or is there another easy way to check it still has gas?

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Thanks Paul.
Sounds like a fan, more than a compressor. Does the gas have a dye, or is there another easy way to check it still has gas?

Not really,need to put a special fitting on it to test the pressure.

The fan maybe going,but not the compressor.
You may be able to feel if compressor is hot,but that really doesn't mean much either.
If hot,could be siezed,or running and not pumping or gas gone,or blockage.Be carefull if you touch it they can get very hot at times.
Or if cold,not getting power to run,or open circuit.

All clear as mud?

Originally Posted by scarry

Not really,need to put a special fitting on it to test the pressure.

The fan maybe going,but not the compressor.
You may be able to feel if compressor is hot,but that really doesn't mean much either.
If hot,could be siezed,or running and not pumping or gas gone,or blockage.Be carefull if you touch it they can get very hot at times.
Or if cold,not getting power to run,or open circuit.

All clear as mud?

Makes a new fridge look attractive. Thanks Paul.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Makes a new fridge look attractive. Thanks Paul.

Probably better off,particularly if it has a bit of age on it.

Mouse hasn't chewed a wire?

I can still look if you want.