Another Dometic Fridge not working on 12volts

[Lost in time 1955]

OK, so I have now employed my new clip on Ammeter and am getting a reading of 6-7 amps. So does this mean my element us OK? If so, do I need to check its position in relation to the pipework etc so that there is a good transfer of heat?

Thanks in Anticipation

 

[birdman101]

Looks as though it is working as it should and the element slots in the heater so you cannot alter the fitting. Makes me think you are expecting to much from it as on 12 volt alone with engine running it will not cool fridge. You need fridge running on mains or gas for a good 12 hours to cool and then with the fridge door remaining closed the 12 volt whilst driving is just enough to hold the fridge temperature. I have always had our fridges on for a day or longer at home before going away and set on highest and ice cubes in the top well frozen. Then driven 5 hours or more and the temperature holds.

 

[Lost in time 1955]

Hi Birdman, I accept it takes a while to get the fridge and freezer to cool down but when we set off for home and switch to 12v the fridge freezer is defrosted when we get back ???

 

[otherclive]

Hi Birdman, I accept it takes a while to get the fridge and freezer to cool down but when we set off for home and switch to 12v the fridge freezer is defrosted when we get back ???

It sounds as if your overall wiring gauge is insufficient, combined with a smart alternator perhaps, plus windage when driving conspire to affect the performance of the fridge. We never had any problems driving to southern France in keeping the fridge cool. After two overnight stops the fridge freezing compartment would have kept its contents frozen. Our non powered Coleman Xtreme cool box could keep stuff cold for around 48 +hours when travelling too.

 

[birdman101]

Your resistance of element looks good and the current being drawn. Either you are loosing voltage to the fridge via the journey or the other option is the door got a good seal. If you have the series 10 model with the removable freeze compartment,I have sealed ours in permanently with silicon sealant. If the compartment moves away from the sides it just becomes a large fridge and things in the top will defrost. We do also besides ice cubes have a couple of freezer blocks we keep in the top.

 

[Lost in time 1955]

Thanks, I'll see if the pipework stays hot on our next trip out, but it may be a while. We have some city visits to do in Europe by plane, rail and coach in October so we may be running out time for this year.