Dometic Fridge

[rob and jen]

Hi,

The fridge in my Abbet Spectrum 620 (2004) has been working fine until recently. I have found that the fridge just doesn't cool on 240v anymore. The light in the fridge (so power is there)is on but it wont cool. When I run the fridge off gas it works fine. Has anyone had this issue before and if so what did you do to correct it.

 

[AlanJ]

Hi

It sounds like your 240v element has broken. In that case only solution is to replace it - best done by a qualified fridge person at your local caravan dealership.

Alan

 

[xtrailman]

Rob

I have a post under equipment & accesories, i have just changed my element also.

 

[hgv dave]

hi rob

i dont know if this still applies or not but im sure i read somewhere that if the fridge was taken out and then stood upside down for at least 24 hrs,the gas and fluid in the system would return to normal...like i said i dont know if this works......but worth a try

hgv dave

 

[Damian]

If it is working on gas, then the mains element has failed and needs replacing.

The idea of turning a fridge is ok in certain circumstances, but it does not need 24 hours, nor 2 hours, just long enough to allow the fluids to trickle down the pipes and back again.

It has some effect on some problems, but only as a last resort having eliminated all other reasons, and then it is only a temporary fix.

When it gets to this stage the fridge is on borrowed time.

 

[PeterT]

Seeing Rob's first entry - is the light not 12 volt so doesn't necessarily mean the 'Mains' are on ?

 

[Chris_374413356]

If the fridge doesn't work ar all, i.e. mains,12v or gas then giving the fridge a shake and turning upside down a few times could be a permanent fix.

I understand that on some occasions the lubricant which is mixed with the refigerant seperates, thus stopping the cooling cycle and a shake returns it to normal.

Yes, I have done this and yes, it worked for me.

 

[Damian]

The coolant contains no lubricant as there are no moving parts.

It is a mixture of water and ammonia, with a stain dye added to make it easier to detect any leaks.

 

[waffler]

Damian is right but there is also hydrogen. The ammonia going to gas and recondensing provides the cooling.