we have a 12 volt ONLY (no gas) 2 door Vitrifigo DP150 fridge in the van, 7 years old, has always runs in relatively short bursts, ie cycles on for say 3-5 mins and stops.
Has worked well, but last year in QLD it seemed to be cycling more (I say more as we have been in 42 deg days and 30 deg days with high humidity) but the FREQUENCY OF CYCLING SEEMS TO BE QUICKER than in the last 7 years.
Example: mornings have been about 8-12 deg and it seems to cycle more than ever.
Also it seems to start when I get out of bed at 1AM,,, 3Am and 5AM (you know why) and movement seems to be the trigger to cut in the compressor.
It was looked at last year by a fridgie in Goondiwindi and he reckoned it was OK and was reluctant to regas (only has 1/2 pound or so I think) and didn't think it was the thermostat BUT he did say the capillary tube behind the evaporator may be in the wrong position. Condenser and rear of fridge gets adequate ventilation and is clean.
Any ideas please!
Peter_n_Margaret said
11:38 PM May 7, 2014
Nothing you describe suggests a problem.
Short frequent cycles are actually more efficient than longer ones.
Is it maintaining internal temperatures OK? If it is, just stop worrying about it.
Cheers,
Peter
dorian said
05:26 AM May 8, 2014
If the fridge is cycling more frequently, wouldn't this suggest that it is not holding its temperature? Isn't that the kind of symptom you would expect if the door were ajar?
If there were a gas problem, I would think that the fridge would take longer to cool down, but once it had reached the desired temperature it would maintain it as it normally would. In other words, wouldn't a low gas issue show up as longer cycles rather than shorter ones?
Yuglamron said
07:31 AM May 8, 2014
I have the same brand fridge running 12 volt only. Last year I used to wake up to hear the fridge cycling and then stopping and cycling for again endlessly I tried stopping and starting it with the thermostat knob. No go.
Mine was running off a C-Tech 240 to 12 volt charger/supply when connected to the mains.
The charger was stuffed and I got a new one under warranty. Now have no problems.
I wonder about your 12 volt supply is it the same run off a charger/supply mode.
bill12 said
07:54 AM May 8, 2014
Sounds like a voltage problem or low gas .Check the voltage where it goes into the fridge with a multimeter. If it has low gas, sometimes there is a sight valve in the system , and when it is working, you should be able to see the gas/fluid moving.Otherwise take it to a fridge tech, but this can be worth more than the fridge is worth. Bill
Baz421 said
09:19 PM May 8, 2014
Thanks all
door ajar issue was looked at thanks Dorian and I tested with paper inserted all OK
Peter you are right that short runs are Ok but it does struggle to hold the temp,,, a change from a few years ago
Trevor (Yuglamron) the fridgie checked all the voltages and says Ok at the fridge
Bill unfortunately no sight glass
It's frustrating as it is struggling and I know it is,,, but what next?
PS Just had a though Trevor I'll put it on the 240V to 12V transformer and see if it changes anything,,, as supply wire will be different,,, thanks for this insight.
Yuglamron said
08:33 AM May 9, 2014
In some ways I hope it is the supply and the 240/12 volt fixes it. They are an expensive proposition to replace with the same brand.
Good luck and I hope you get it sorted.
Trevor
Baz421 said
02:11 PM May 20, 2014
OK folks I still need some help but the situation appears to have changed a bit.
Tried the 240v to 12v transformer over a number of days, no change.
Took cover off side of van, all looks OK, condenser fan working and fins clean.
Had 13.2v to the fridge main DC input connection, so voltage not a problem.
PROBLEM SOLVING PLEASE FOR A FRIDGIE
BUT with the fridge running the 2 copper pipes exiting the compressor were both cold and one eventually heated up a bit. Previously when fridgie checked it one, I think it came from the centre area of the Danfoss compressor got hot.
Does this look like a gas problem, ie frequent running (more then previous years) even in cold mornings, and thermostat on 6 on scale of 1 -7. This barely keeps the fridge at between 2-5 deg C. Other websites I visited last year said this temp should be achieved at 3-5 setting on thermostat.
Freezer OK at -15C.
Any help appreciated please.
native pepper said
02:28 PM May 20, 2014
Get it re gassed, sounds like that's the problem by your description of the pipe temps.
Baz421 said
03:34 PM May 20, 2014
native pepper wrote:
Get it re gassed, sounds like that's the problem by your description of the pipe temps.
yeh NP that's what I wanted at Goondiwindi last year but he refused to do (didn't charge me) as in his words they don't have/need much gas in them. true but it looks like gas to me also.
KFT said
05:26 PM May 20, 2014
Baz the only way to know is to run a leak detector over all the pipes and see if there is a leak somewhere.
gauges may give an indication if the suction and discharge pressures are not within spec.
frank
Baz421 said
07:40 PM May 21, 2014
KFT wrote:
Baz the only way to know is to run a leak detector over all the pipes and see if there is a leak somewhere.
gauges may give an indication if the suction and discharge pressures are not within spec.
frank
Thanks Frank ,,,,, I can see this will cost me $ whichever way,, will check for leaks but cant see enough with fridge insitu,,, however the leak has been very slow - over a many months so regas maybe simplest,,,, hoping there's enough room to get gauges in behind the vent to regas.
KFT said
09:56 PM May 21, 2014
right there Baz
unless you have your own gear it will take time and money unfortunately
oh the joys of a mobile lifestyle
frank
Baz421 said
09:21 PM Jun 22, 2014
Well back from the trip and didn't tackle this quickly as I was trying to get someone who was;
a) interested
b) knew a bit about Vitrifio (as someone had said it had 2 condensors - one up along the side)
c) would come on site if possible.
Found, by accident the guy. AT first he was a bit hesitant to assist, but when he asked for the second time who recommended him (a 1 man van repair business) he was very helpful.
Shorted out the thermostat wires and lo and behold freezer went down to -24C and fridge to -2C in one hour (admittedly ambient temp was about 10C) and after another 20 mins was -24 and -4 respectively.
Ordered a new thermostat as ours obviously hasn't worked correctly since new.
Cheers Baz
-- Edited by Baz421 on Sunday 22nd of June 2014 09:23:03 PM
Cruising Cruze said
09:52 AM Jun 23, 2014
Hi Baz
Always handy to know a good repairman
Who was that guy if I may ask
Hi all
we have a 12 volt ONLY (no gas) 2 door Vitrifigo DP150 fridge in the van, 7 years old, has always runs in relatively short bursts, ie cycles on for say 3-5 mins and stops.
Has worked well, but last year in QLD it seemed to be cycling more (I say more as we have been in 42 deg days and 30 deg days with high humidity) but the FREQUENCY OF CYCLING SEEMS TO BE QUICKER than in the last 7 years.
Example: mornings have been about 8-12 deg and it seems to cycle more than ever.
Also it seems to start when I get out of bed at 1AM,,, 3Am and 5AM (you know why) and movement seems to be the trigger to cut in the compressor.
It was looked at last year by a fridgie in Goondiwindi and he reckoned it was OK and was reluctant to regas (only has 1/2 pound or so I think) and didn't think it was the thermostat BUT he did say the capillary tube behind the evaporator may be in the wrong position. Condenser and rear of fridge gets adequate ventilation and is clean.
Any ideas please!
Short frequent cycles are actually more efficient than longer ones.
Is it maintaining internal temperatures OK? If it is, just stop worrying about it.
Cheers,
Peter
If there were a gas problem, I would think that the fridge would take longer to cool down, but once it had reached the desired temperature it would maintain it as it normally would. In other words, wouldn't a low gas issue show up as longer cycles rather than shorter ones?
I have the same brand fridge running 12 volt only. Last year I used to wake up to hear the fridge cycling and then stopping and cycling for again endlessly I tried stopping and starting it with the thermostat knob. No go.
Mine was running off a C-Tech 240 to 12 volt charger/supply when connected to the mains.
The charger was stuffed and I got a new one under warranty. Now have no problems.
I wonder about your 12 volt supply is it the same run off a charger/supply mode.
Thanks all
door ajar issue was looked at thanks Dorian and I tested with paper inserted all OK
Peter you are right that short runs are Ok but it does struggle to hold the temp,,, a change from a few years ago
Trevor (Yuglamron) the fridgie checked all the voltages and says Ok at the fridge
Bill unfortunately no sight glass
It's frustrating as it is struggling and I know it is,,, but what next?
PS Just had a though Trevor I'll put it on the 240V to 12V transformer and see if it changes anything,,, as supply wire will be different,,, thanks for this insight.
In some ways I hope it is the supply and the 240/12 volt fixes it. They are an expensive proposition to replace with the same brand.
Good luck and I hope you get it sorted.
Trevor
OK folks I still need some help but the situation appears to have changed a bit.
Tried the 240v to 12v transformer over a number of days, no change.
Took cover off side of van, all looks OK, condenser fan working and fins clean.
Had 13.2v to the fridge main DC input connection, so voltage not a problem.
PROBLEM SOLVING PLEASE FOR A FRIDGIE
BUT with the fridge running the 2 copper pipes exiting the compressor were both cold and one eventually heated up a bit. Previously when fridgie checked it one, I think it came from the centre area of the Danfoss compressor got hot.
Does this look like a gas problem, ie frequent running (more then previous years) even in cold mornings, and thermostat on 6 on scale of 1 -7. This barely keeps the fridge at between 2-5 deg C. Other websites I visited last year said this temp should be achieved at 3-5 setting on thermostat.
Freezer OK at -15C.
Any help appreciated please.
yeh NP that's what I wanted at Goondiwindi last year but he refused to do (didn't charge me) as in his words they don't have/need much gas in them. true but it looks like gas to me also.
gauges may give an indication if the suction and discharge pressures are not within spec.
frank
Thanks Frank ,,,,, I can see this will cost me $ whichever way,, will check for leaks but cant see enough with fridge insitu,,, however the leak has been very slow - over a many months so regas maybe simplest,,,, hoping there's enough room to get gauges in behind the vent to regas.
unless you have your own gear it will take time and money unfortunately
oh the joys of a mobile lifestyle
frank
Well back from the trip and didn't tackle this quickly as I was trying to get someone who was;
a) interested
b) knew a bit about Vitrifio (as someone had said it had 2 condensors - one up along the side)
c) would come on site if possible.
Found, by accident the guy. AT first he was a bit hesitant to assist, but when he asked for the second time who recommended him (a 1 man van repair business) he was very helpful.
Shorted out the thermostat wires and lo and behold freezer went down to -24C and fridge to -2C in one hour (admittedly ambient temp was about 10C) and after another 20 mins was -24 and -4 respectively.
Ordered a new thermostat as ours obviously hasn't worked correctly since new.
Cheers Baz
-- Edited by Baz421 on Sunday 22nd of June 2014 09:23:03 PM
Always handy to know a good repairman
Who was that guy if I may ask
Thanks John