The Grey Nomads Forum

Fridge not working on 250v

DHB said
05:34 PM Jan 11, 2016

Hey All

I'm new to the site and am hoping someone has experience repairing a fridge that's stopped working. Gas and 12v are Ok so I suspect the 250 volt heater coil.

I did see some negative press about the suitability of these coils (being designed to operate on US voltages) and wondered how I would go if I claimed on insurance.

Has anyone replaced a coil lately, and does it entail disconnecting the gas lines?

KFT said
05:59 PM Jan 11, 2016

G'day DHB, Welcome to the forum.

You will get a much better response to your query if you can give us the make and the model number of your fridge.

We can then work out what the likely issues are and give a more accurate answer.

Frank

jules47 said
07:09 PM Jan 11, 2016

For a short while, our fridge wasn't changing over to 240v when we plugged in at a caravan park, was using gas. I found a power point with a lead plugged into it, in the back of a cupboard next to the fridge cavity -the plug was not pushed right in - I pushed it in - voila!!! we have 240v fridge again!

elliemike said
07:27 PM Jan 11, 2016

jules47 wrote:
For a short while, our fridge wasn't changing over to 240v when we plugged in at a caravan park, was using gas. I found a power point with a lead plugged into it, in the back of a cupboard next to the fridge cavity -the plug was not pushed right in - I pushed it in - voila!!! we have 240v fridge again!

Yep, You would not be the only one to be caught out like that Jules. Frustrating trip once with that happening intermittently, till I twigged.

DHB The Heating Element is usually easy to change in most 3 way fridges. But get someone to check it out for you if your not sure what your doing.

Remember it is 240v your dealing with if you are rooting around behind the fridge feeling for wires pulled off or if the element is warm or cold.

You will get a good response to your question on here.

briche said
09:23 PM Jan 11, 2016

Hi DHB, we have one of those three way fridges and have had similar trouble with 240 heater. They are rated for 240 but they are really not suitable for the kind of vibration that they can be subjected two. I have replaced mine twice and have decided that I am not gone to bother with it any more.

i ran heavy duty cable (8mm) all the from the aux battery in the car to the fridge via jiggle switch ( that's a switch that turns the fridge off while you are stopped) all the way to the 12 volt element in the fridge and have had no hassles with it.the only thing you have to watch is that the fridge running on 12 volts will. Only maintain the temp that it starts with.

when we get to our destination for the day we just tune it onto gas, no problems.

hope that helps in the sorting out department.

brian

-- Edited by briche on Monday 11th of January 2016 09:24:15 PM

elliemike said
09:36 PM Jan 11, 2016

Our Van is Ten years old and does a fair bit of off road travelling. Never had to change either of the elements yet and it still works well on all heating sources. Gas, 12v, 240v.

Regards

Mike

DHB said
10:00 PM Jan 12, 2016

GDay KFT, thanks for your response. I'll have to go to the van and get the brochure out and check the correct model no. It's a Dometic fridge freezer, but that's all I can tell you until I get to the van next week.

DHB said
10:03 PM Jan 12, 2016

Thanks for tip Jules, I'll have a look for the plug. However, the van was stationary, with the fridge working on 240v prior to us taking off on our last trip. When I checked the van some time later, fridge wasn't working, could be an intermittent plug connection, but my guess is the heater coil.

DHB said
10:08 PM Jan 12, 2016

Hi Ellie and Mike

I'm OK with 250v but assumed the fridge would need to be removed from it's housing to fix the heater. Is this so? This being the case, does the gas supply have to be disconnected? I wasn't about to stick my hand in the back with the power on! I've done that in the past and have learned from the experience, I hope!

DHB said
10:10 PM Jan 12, 2016

Hi Briche

Thanks for the wise words. I'm happy to use the gas, but would presume it would be harder to sell the van with a faulty fridge?

elliemike said
01:27 AM Jan 13, 2016

DHB wrote:
Hi Ellie and Mike
I'm OK with 250v but assumed the fridge would need to be removed from it's housing to fix the heater. Is this so? This being the case, does the gas supply have to be disconnected? I wasn't about to stick my hand in the back with the power on! I've done that in the past and have learned from the experience, I hope!

Depends on the Fridge and the way it is housed. Access at the rear through the Vent hole (grilles removed) is possible in my Avan and it is a tight squeeze.

I would take the fridge out to do it. Not a hard job but can be fiddly if you have never seen it done. There is usually enough slack in the copper pipework to allow the fridge to come out.

I would not have to break the Gas Connection to do this job. The fridge comes out and can be worked on without interfering with the gas connections in my van.

In fact unless you have a gas ticket you must not work on gas pipework or system.

Here's a video that will give you and idea of what is involved to replace the heater element. Again it's 240 volt and remeber need a ticket to make 240v connections.