If you have SMEV, model 401, hotplate, grill & oven, distributed by CAMEC Pty Ltd installed in your caravan or motor home, be aware there are no safety devices fitted to prevent either the electric hotplate or the gas burners from operating whilst the glass lid is in the down position.
firstly, I am fully aware of the warning label attached to the lid of the appliance stating, something to the effect, "that the glass lid must be upright before igniting or turning on the hotplate".
It has been found by the writer, that when the van is connected to mains power and with the glass lid down that the hotplate can be activated and not known to the user.
if the electric element knob is turned to a position between o and 1, the element will operate and the red warning light will not illuminate to advise the user the electric element is now ON.
In summary, in the writers case, on returning from the recent Easter holidays which included both free camping and caravan parks, the caravan was parked in its usual position in a 15M x 15M shed (which also houses other machinery and motor vehicles).
Various items had to be removed from the refrigerator and within the van for a short storage period, unknown to the writer the stove electric hotplate selector switch was in a position as stated above and when the mains power was connected to the caravan the electric element was activated, a period of hours passed when a visit to the caravan was required and on inspection it was found the glass lid was shattered and electric element operating, it was fortunate that the caravan did not catch alight, not only destroying the caravan but the shed and its contents.
It was then on inspection that it was found NO safety devices were fitted to the appliance to prevent such an occurrence. There are holes drilled to accept the devices but none fitted.
In addition, the attached rating plate has no country of origin displayed.
The above issue will be discussed with Camec today and also with the various state and federal authorities.
