Brand new Thetford N4000 fridge issue...

[Guzzilazz]

We picked up our brand new Bailey Unicorn V Cabrera (replacement for 2019 Cabrera) on Tuesday, and left for a shakedown to a close-ish site on Thursday. Great tow on fast roads and a lovely first time visit site. All fine until this morning when we heard a continuous clicking, and on looking around the fridge LED display was flashing away like a good 'un. I tried the on/off switch-nothing, disconnecting 12v, then mains then both - no change. The display carried on flashing. I spoke to our Bailey dealer who only suggested two more things -disconnecting the solar power (which did stop the display flashing) but when everything was reconnected, the situation was the same. Final suggestion was to see whether connecting the car to help that relay move, but nothing.

Dealer very helpful, we decided to return because the potential of an unknown electrical issue, and they sprang on the van and uncoupled as we came to a stop.

Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar issue?

 

[Guzzilazz]

Well, for info for others a PCB replacement in the fridge has sorted it.

 

[Guzzilazz]

Latest in this saga...

In the initial fault above, my wife thought that the problem had started when the oven grill cooling fan kicked in. So today, at the end of Shakedown trip 2, we deliberately cooked our toast that way.

Well, blow me the cooling fan kicked in and the fridge went on the fritz again! Obviously a more serious wiring fault, where there is some sort of voltage or current overload routing via the fridge...

The dealer is good, and asked me to talk to the technician so that he could understand the issue directly, so let's wait and see. When we collect next time, I'm insisting on a demo with the circumstances that we set.

 

[Sam Vimes]

Some fridges have a low voltage detection circuit so maybe when the grill fan kicks in it's dropping the volts to the fridge due to the extra load. Although I can't imagine it being that much.

If it is then probably a bad wiring layout.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I had to resolve a failed fridge on a German caravan. It turned out to be the gas hobs earthing wasn't properly installed so the return path for the hobs spark ignition was actually tracking across the fridges PCB .

The symptoms of the OP's caravan suggests that something similar may be occurring. It is essential that all the cooking appliances are properly installed wand all metal parts must have a wired connection to the 12Vdc negative supply.

 

[Guzzilazz]

Thanks both. My previous 12V experience in boats was going the way of the Prof...

 

[Buckman]

Some fridges have a low voltage detection circuit so maybe when the grill fan kicks in it's dropping the volts to the fridge due to the extra load. Although I can't imagine it being that much.

If it is then probably a bad wiring layout.

If we have the air con on fan only, no issue. If we switch on the air con to cool, the fridge beeps as if the door is open. Once the caravan has cooled down the beeping is not as frequent. I suspected the voltage and thanks for confirming. The puzzling past it has only started doling this recently?

 

[Guzzilazz]

Well, the dealer got back to me, and found that the fridge ground wasn't properly connected, which confirms the sort of thing that came up earlier. Going to test it all properly tomorrow before accepting it back. Run the fridge up, turn the oven or grill on to see what happens when the cooling fan kicks

 

[Buckman]

Well, the dealer got back to me, and found that the fridge ground wasn't properly connected, which confirms the sort of thing that came up earlier. Going to test it all properly tomorrow before accepting it back. Run the fridge up, turn the oven or grill on to see what happens when the cooling fan kicks

We thought that the over was one of those fan ovens and it took a while to twig that it was a cooling fan for when it is switched off.

 

[Guzzilazz]

So, we went to the dealer today and saw it all running fine and starting/stopping fine. Discussing the issue with the tech who fixed it, the "standard" 12v earth return on both cooker and fridge is (wait for it) via the gas pipe, which within the gas locker has a tag around it which is linked to the chassis. he created a proper link from the fridge to the chassis...

 

[otherclive]

Glad the dealer technician sorted it out. Not a very good makers approach, but you probably now have the best performing fridge of any modern UK caravan.

 

[Buckman]

Glad the dealer technician sorted it out. Not a very good makers approach, but you probably now have the best performing fridge of any modern UK caravan.

Every Thetford fridge we have had, has had a fault so hardly a recommendation. Issue was mainly the PCB, but in one was an open circuit element.

 

[otherclive]

Every Thetford fridge we have had, has had a fault so hardly a recommendation. Issue was mainly the PCB, but in one was an open circuit element.

It wasn’t so much a recommendation more a TIC post. Must use emojis more.

 

[Buckman]

It wasn’t so much a recommendation more a TIC post. Must use emojis more.

When they do work, they work well an I have to admit that the back up service from Thetford is excellent unlike Dometic.

 

[Dustydog]

Initially I was intrigued, then when the final cause was found I’m now very concerned.
Well done Prof #5, spot on 👏

I thought all new NCC approved caravans and motor homes had to include an Electrical Installation Certificate. Confirming both the 230 v and 12v systems have been fully tested and are safe to use at the point of leaving the factory for sale.
I can cope with all the water ingress issues but the failure here is unforgivable and possibly life threatening?
Whoever signed it off needs the sack!

 

[Guzzilazz]

More concerningly it's "standard build"...

 

[otherclive]

Initially I was intrigued, then when the final cause was found I’m now very concerned.
Well done Prof #5, spot on 👏

I thought all new NCC approved caravans and motor homes had to include an Electrical Installation Certificate. Confirming both the 230 v and 12v systems have been fully tested and are safe to use at the point of leaving the factory for sale.
I can cope with all the water ingress issues but the failure here is unforgivable and possibly life threatening?
Whoever signed it off needs the sack!

My last van completed build in 2012 and had the requisite documents in its build pack.

 

[Dustydog]

My last van completed build in 2012 and had the requisite documents in its build pack.

It is still a pre requisite today . My last three new caravans Al had the document signed by a “responsible” person.

 

[otherclive]

It is still a pre requisite today . My last three new caravans Al had the document signed by a “responsible” person.

I know it is; my point was that it’s not some new requirements recently introduced.