Error code 12 on Thetford N112 fridge

[sallyswift]

Hi everyone

Please can you help. When on site error code 12 keeps coming up intermittently on the control panel of our fridge. We have just bought a brand new 115 amp battery. The fridge seemed to work on the old battery which, during service, we were advised to have replaced. Thetford inform us it is a loss of 12v power! Has anyone experienced this or have any suggestions.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

See this link. It may help.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Sally.
Does the problem arise even when you are connected to the site EHU?
When plugged into mains electric you should be seeing 13.4 volts coming out of the battery.
Can you measure the battery output when connected to the mains?
I just wonder if the caravan charger is performing correctly.If it is then it does seem Thetford fridge is the problem.

 

[sallyswift]

Thanks Dustydog

The problem does arise when we are connected to the site EHU. The van is on the drive at the moment plugged into our mains and the problem is still there. A friend is going to test the battery output for us tomorrow. Hoping that the brand new battery is faulty which they will have to replace. It's very serious - husband won't go away with prospect of warm beer!!!

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Sally
Make sure he takes readings with mains connected a day disconnected.
Let us know the readings.

 

[sallyswift]

Thanks Dustydog - will do. On the other hand do you think it could possibly be a fuse or bad connection problems - I should say, we are new to all of this and do appreciate any help you can give us.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Sally

Poor earthing can play havoc with caravan 12 volts electrics.
Get you friend to make sure all the earth points are sound.

 

[sallyswift]

Hi Dustydog - thanks so much do you have any tips on how we would check the earth connections.

 

[Dustydog]

Sally
Earth's are mostly physical wire connections.
Make sure ALL the earth's are clean and contamination free.

 

[Gafferbill]

I would suspect it is a faulty printed circuit board (PCB) as described in the link posted by Woodlands Camper in post 2 of this thread.
This I have read is a common problem and will display the fault code 12.

 

[sallyswift]

We had a short (very well used) mains connection cable and a long mains connection that had hardly been used. Thanks to your advice tried the newer cable and, at the moment, everything is working. We will leave this on overnight to cool the fridge as you would do prior to a trip. Will let you know what happens. Many, many thanks

 

[sallyswift]

Sadly it wasn't the cable and error code 12 is still flashing and giving us a migraine. Battery is to be tested tomorrow. It's looking more and more like a faulty PCB which will probably be in the region of £200???

 

[Dustydog]

Sir Gafferbill,

Can PCB s be repaired?
I just wondered if someone like Paul at Apuljack could help,.

Maybe Parksy knows?

Could be cheaper than £200.

 

[Gafferbill]

Hi Dusty and Sally.........I have only heard about this type of problem from other Caravaners and seen mention of it on forums.
The PCB could probably be repaired by Apuljack ....could be worth asking

Might be a case of of biting the bullet and letting the dealer do the repair........
I believe Thetford give a 3 year warranty on their refrigerators.

 

[Gafferbill]

It would be nice to know if sallyswift managed to get her fridge problem sorted?

.........feedback is always useful