Bailey Ranger Fridge fault

[Tram]

Hi all,

Returned from Wales at the weekend to find that the fridge had defrosted. Did a test today and found that the 12volt switch on the fridge was flashing slowly after about one minute of starting the car and what sounded like a relay inside the consumer unit was clicking in time to the flashing. Can it be a failed relay that i didn't know existed or am i barking up the wrong tree?

 

[Damian]

Tram, from what you describe it is more than likely to be a problem with the car wiring, which is a common thing.

I suspect that the fridge supply wire is too thin and the fridge is suffering too much voltage drop, causing the relay to switch in and out.

To solve the problem is to run a second cable from the fuse box in the car to the 12s socket.

 

[Tram]

Hi Damian, It's been fine for three years so if that's the cause then "summat" must have changed. Could a bad connection into the 12s be the cause. Do you know which pin carries the power to the fridge?

 

[Damian]

Hi Tram, yes, pin 6 red is the supply, pin 7 black is the earth return.

Yes you may very well be right about a bad connection too, give the plug and socket a good clean with electrical contact spray (Halfords) and just open up the pins a little with a flat bladed screwdriver down the + slots.

Don't use WD40, it rots wiring and after 40 days attracts water, hence its name W (water) D (dispersal) 40 (days effective)

 

[Tram]

Thanks again Damian, i'll try that and see what happens.

Good tip about WD40, i didn't know all that. I thought it was a lubricant.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

The relay in the car could be voltage sensing and adjustable(some are)

Look for a little screw adjuster on the side and try checking the fridge with someone with foot gently on accellerator

The WD tip is very true

A few years ago my friend had his van serviced at home and the guy squirted WD on the rear light fittings

When we came to drive home from Spain he had several bulbs not working as the plastic inserts had degraded

I soldered the wires direct on to the bulbs to get him home and they stayed like that for 5 years!

 

[Jonathan_5061656]

agree with the sentiments above - most likely to be the contacts in the 12S socket, pins 6 and 7 should be thoroughly checked. It can happen that the relays in the caravan fail but not usually in the way you describe - they either work or they don't.

Other than that, the relay in the car.

Jonathan.

Mobile service engineer.

 

[Chris_374320541]

Hi Tram,

From suggested age of your van unlikely to be a Thetford fridge but important to know that these draw 12 amps compared with 8 amps for Dometic/Electrolux fridges. Damian's point about wires being too thin to carry sufficient current and possible overheating therefore very relevant for these new fridges.

Had similar problem of defrosting in my 2006 Coachman Amara with Thetford fridge. Had a dedicated wire fitted as suggested by Damian (and dealer) but no different. Turned out to be a faulty relay on circuit board in caravan power management system opening and closing contacts - replaced under warranty. Also caused overheating/melting on fridge return pin on 12S plug and had to replace whole plug!

Told that this is not first time this has happened.

 

[Tram]

Me again,

Thanks to all of you.Yes the "air brake" is almost three years old and is due a service in Feb 08. I'm hoping i can sort it out before them and save myself some cash. The fridge is a Dometic and is rated at 120Watts on 12v so that would mean 10amps rather than 8. Even so it's worked perfectly for 3 seasons so i will have to check the connections as recommended by you all. It's back in storage now so it may be a few days+ before i can look at it.

If any one has had the same symptoms,the flashing and clicking, i would like to hear about it.

It's a wonderfully helpful site this one isn't it.