Hi everyone just got back from a trip up to Broome ( should be still up there ) the fridge has decided not to work on 12 volt ,
question, does fridge have to come out to replace element or can it be changed from the outside by removing the 2 vent covers
it's a Jayco Stirling 2006 model.
oldtrack123 said
04:19 PM Jul 16, 2016
Stuss wrote:
Hi everyone just got back from a trip up to Broome ( should be still up there ) the fridge has decided not to work on 12 volt ,
question, does fridge have to come out to replace element or can it be changed from the outside by removing the 2 vent covers
it's a Jayco Stirling 2006 model.
Hi
Are you certain it is the element that is faulty??
The 12V elements normally have a very long life!
!I do not know about that van but why not simply take the covers off & do some testing for a start
[Check that the element IS getting 12V when turned on, you should then be able to see if the 12V element is accessable
Treecrest14 said
06:56 PM Jul 16, 2016
I recall seeing a 12v fuse behind the bottom vent, so I'd be checking that also.
Stuss said
07:36 PM Jul 16, 2016
Yeah I'm just surmising it's the element , fuse ? I've looked for a fuse in the places you'd think they would be, don't tell me they've hidden one behind fridge ?
PeterD said
07:53 PM Jul 16, 2016
Treecrest14 wrote:
I recall seeing a 12v fuse behind the bottom vent, so I'd be checking that also.
Rather than just check it, get rid of it. Fuses are only needed on the supply end of the cable. They are a great source of problems. A fuse only provides protection of cables, not the equipment that the cables supplies. Also each fuse adds a bit of exta voltage drop in the circuit.
oldtrack123 said
08:26 PM Jul 16, 2016
PeterD wrote:
Treecrest14 wrote:
I recall seeing a 12v fuse behind the bottom vent, so I'd be checking that also.
Rather than just check it, get rid of it. Fuses are only needed on the supply end of the cable. They are a great source of problems. A fuse only provides protection of cables, not the equipment that the cables supplies. Also each fuse adds a bit of exta voltage drop in the circuit.
Ditto
Two Strays said
09:12 PM Jul 16, 2016
Hi All
I had a similiar problem on my 185lt Dometic fridge , The positive (red) wire had worked itself loose. Sitting in the socket but not secure.
Tightened the retaining screw, problem fixed.
Happy Caravanning.
erad said
07:47 PM Jul 17, 2016
No-one has actually answered the OP's question - can the element be removed with the fridge in situ. I don't think it can. It is not a very nice job to get access to the wiring terminal block, and also the gas line above the fridge, but it can be done. After all, someone assembled the fridge and most likely it was done after the caravan was built. Before you remove the fridge, check the resistance of the element. Select 12V operation, find the terminal block and put a resistance meter across the terminals. You should get about 1 Ohm (120 Watts @ 12 V & 10 amps). If you get a low resistance like this, the element is OK. Then get someone to move the selector switch to OFF and see it the resistance changes to infinity.
As other people have said, it is more likely a lousy connection - either at the fridge or at the caravan plug. Also check the earth connection at the fridge and also the plug. Remember the earth on the fridge is the Black wire and for the rest of the van the earth is White. That's logical isn't it?
Further to this, do you have a fridge switch? If you do, maybe this is playing up and not giving power to the fridge.
Stuss said
08:54 PM Jul 17, 2016
Thanks erad. I'll get those two vent covers off and check for a fuse then check for power at terminal block
mjt57 said
01:07 PM Jul 18, 2016
Do these fridges have multiple heating elements?
oldtrack123 said
01:40 PM Jul 18, 2016
Yes, One for 240V & another for 12V Make certain that you disconnect the240V power to the van before you remove the vent covers & poke around inside
Van model is pretty useless if seeking advise on electrics
Best & most appropriate advice can be given if BRAND & MODEL number are given ,of the item concerned
As has been posted ,absolutely no reason or gain by having a fuse in that location
Surprised that anyone with an ounce of electrical knowledge would wire one in @that location
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Monday 18th of July 2016 01:49:20 PM
OwenK said
08:37 PM Jul 18, 2016
Hi just wondering, should fridge cool right down from say 15deg to 4deg on 12 volt ? Or is 12 volt just to maintain temp while traveling?
Cheers Owen.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:03 PM Jul 18, 2016
The latter in ours . Apparently the thermostat is isolated on DC .. DC is for short term or while engine is running . Or you'll use all your battery .,Unless you have heaps of solar ??
oldtrack123 said
11:34 PM Jul 18, 2016
OwenK wrote:
Hi just wondering, should fridge cool right down from say 15deg to 4deg on 12 volt ? Or is 12 volt just to maintain temp while traveling?
Cheers Owen.
t depends on how well they are installed & the fridge model
Always a good idea to give brand & model number when seeking advice That way the answers will be more relevant
KevinC said
08:58 AM Jul 19, 2016
Stuss wrote:
question, does fridge have to come out to replace element or can it be changed from the outside by removing the 2 vent covers
it's a Jayco Stirling 2006 model.
When I replaced our 12v element I just moved the fridge forward a bit to make room for the flue to unclip. The gas pipe allows that much movement without problem.
OwenK said
02:37 PM Jul 19, 2016
Thanks Aus-Kiwi and Oldtrack123 for your replies. The fridge is Dometic RM 4805 fitted by Traveller caravans. It seems to hold temperature while traveling (doesn't get any colder) so I think it must be like yours Aus-Kiwi. Thanks again.
Hi everyone just got back from a trip up to Broome ( should be still up there ) the fridge has decided not to work on 12 volt ,
question, does fridge have to come out to replace element or can it be changed from the outside by removing the 2 vent covers
it's a Jayco Stirling 2006 model.
Hi
Are you certain it is the element that is faulty??
The 12V elements normally have a very long life!
!I do not know about that van but why not simply take the covers off & do some testing for a start
[Check that the element IS getting 12V when turned on, you should then be able to see if the 12V element is accessable
Yeah I'm just surmising it's the element , fuse ? I've looked for a fuse in the places you'd think they would be, don't tell me they've hidden one behind fridge ?
Rather than just check it, get rid of it. Fuses are only needed on the supply end of the cable. They are a great source of problems. A fuse only provides protection of cables, not the equipment that the cables supplies. Also each fuse adds a bit of exta voltage drop in the circuit.
Ditto
Hi All
I had a similiar problem on my 185lt Dometic fridge , The positive (red) wire had worked itself loose. Sitting in the socket but not secure.
Tightened the retaining screw, problem fixed.
Happy Caravanning.
As other people have said, it is more likely a lousy connection - either at the fridge or at the caravan plug. Also check the earth connection at the fridge and also the plug. Remember the earth on the fridge is the Black wire and for the rest of the van the earth is White. That's logical isn't it?
Further to this, do you have a fridge switch? If you do, maybe this is playing up and not giving power to the fridge.
Yes,
One for 240V & another for 12V
Make certain that you disconnect the240V power to the van before you remove the vent covers & poke around inside
Van model is pretty useless if seeking advise on electrics
Best & most appropriate advice can be given if BRAND & MODEL number are given ,of the item concerned
As has been posted ,absolutely no reason or gain by having a fuse in that location
Surprised that anyone with an ounce of electrical knowledge would wire one in @that location
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Monday 18th of July 2016 01:49:20 PM
Hi just wondering, should fridge cool right down from say 15deg to 4deg on 12 volt ? Or is 12 volt just to maintain temp while traveling?
Cheers Owen.
t depends on how well they are installed & the fridge model
Always a good idea to give brand & model number when seeking advice That way the answers will be more relevant
When I replaced our 12v element I just moved the fridge forward a bit to make room for the flue to unclip. The gas pipe allows that much movement without problem.
Thanks Aus-Kiwi and Oldtrack123 for your replies. The fridge is Dometic RM 4805 fitted by Traveller caravans. It seems to hold temperature while traveling (doesn't get any colder) so I think it must be like yours Aus-Kiwi. Thanks again.
Cheers Owen.