Fridge now not working on electric 12 or 240 volt

[Ian_5074271]

Hi, does anyone have any idea why my fridge now has not got a 12 volt supply or 240 volt supply. Also the charger is not working. I removed the fridge to service the burner and at this point both the 12 volt and 240 volt were live at the fridge. When I put the fridge back in, for some strange reason there is now no power ether 12 or 240 volt + I noticed the charger is not working. The fridge and the battery charger are served/protected by the MCB switch number 3. I think the 12 volt supply must come direct from the battery. All the 12 volt lights are fine as is the 240 volt sockets and 240 volt lights.
Seems odd that both 12 and 240 volts seem to have disappeared from the fridge and charger.
Anyone got any suggestions.
Regards

 

[ProfJohnL]

When starting a new thread, Its most helpful to include all the relevant details about the appliance or product you wish to discuss, such as make model and year, as most of us do not have super recall about what you may have told us in other threads.

Because I don't know the make and model of fridge I cant be specific, but several models of fridge do need to have a 12V feed to control the fridges operation when using Gas or Mains electricity. Without the 12V feed the control circuitry will not work, and thus the fridge wont work on gas or Mains either. This could be your problem.

 

[Ian_5074271]

Thanks for the reply. It’s very strange, because the fridge has only ever been used on 240 volts. I know I had both 12 volt and 240 volts at the fridge when I took it out.
The caravan is old 1998, Swift Aloutte, but beautiful condition.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Ian,

Something you wrote made me check your history with this caravan, and it seems I was concerned with some of your previous work. It seems highly likely the problem you have revealed in this thread which has only come to light since you removed the fridge is almost certainly related to your actions, and becasue we do not know exactly what you have done, it makes it almost impossible to know what has happened.

You seem to be undertaking work for which you do not have the relevant experience or qualifications, and I fear that you are potentially crating some situations that could very well be hazardous to you or members of your family or anyone who might buy your caravan. That is a risk you should consider as any failure that injures (or worse) caused by incompetent work can result criminal action against you. That is how serious it can be.

I strongly suggest you employ a fully trained caravan engineer to check all your gas and electrical work and to correct any issues you may have missed or created.

 

[trevormonty]

12V is run from car by separate circuit, not house battery, only used while tow.

Hard to fault find 230v over web but could be selector switch with poor connection. Mine stopped working on gas when I switched to 12V. Switching between 230 and gas few times and it came right, poor/dirty contacts on switch.
.

 

[Buckman]

12V is run from car by separate circuit, not house battery, only used while tow.

Hard to fault find 230v over web but could be selector switch with poor connection. Mine stopped working on gas when I switched to 12V. Switching between 230 and gas few times and it came right, poor/dirty contacts on switch.
.

You need the 12v to operate the fridge whether hooked up or not.

 

[trevormonty]

You need the 12v to operate the fridge whether hooked up or not.

Depends on vintage of fridge. But given his is 1998 very much doubt it. Both my 2000 and 2009 models were very much manual.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Depends on vintage of fridge. But given his is 1998 very much doubt it. Both my 2000 and 2009 models were very much manual.

As you say its dependant on which model of fridge the OP has. There were models of fridges from about 1990 that needed a low current 12V supply to operate.

But as I have stated elsewhere it seems the poster has bitten off more than he can chew, and I am concerned about the safety of what he has done and should now employ a qualified fitter to check and repair his work for reasons of safety.

 

[toad a caravan]

Mine,s one of them.12 v for ignitor for gas

 

[toad a caravan]

 

[Dustydog]

With so much dependance on 12v for items circuits to function why aren't leisure batteries a standard factory fit🤔

 

[otherclive]

With so much dependance on 12v for items circuits to function why aren't leisure batteries a standard factory fit🤔

Not everyone uses them identically and some may prefer a lighter battery and gain payload, and others prefer a larger one. Plus it gives the user control over capacity and quality. Whereas a manufacturer supplied one would probably be lowest denominator

 

[RogerL]

With so much dependance on 12v for items circuits to function why aren't leisure batteries a standard factory fit🤔

There's no need for a battery if you're on a hook-up - the power supply can do just that. I don't know about now but many continental caravans had no facility for a battery, just use the 12v power supply.

In fact, older caravans have a power supply, not a charger, running at 13.8v - although most modern caravans now have a combined power supply and charger, capable of 14.4/14.8v

 

[Ian_5074271]

Well thank you all for your replies and concerns, I’ve finally sorted all the
fridge / hob problems both gas and electrical.
Hob gas pipe blocked, Fridge burner serviced, spark plug renewed and gas joints tested with gas leak detector. (Thanks for the heads up on the cotton wool filter) I’ve never come across one of those before.
My apparent mystery of loss of power after replacing the fridge, turned out to be the bulb in the on/off rocker switch blowing.
When I took the fridge out the light was illuminated, showing power to the fridge, when I put the fridge back in the bulb had blown, so I thought the power had gone.
Anyway after slipping the fridge back out a little and doing a check with my circuit tester I found 240 volt power was indeed present. Coincidences can happen!!
A big👏to all that have helped.

 

[IanB1485]

Please note when putting a fridge back you must ensure it is'room sealed', Any foam strips/sealant/trim panels you have disturbed must be reinstated. Including any heat deflector plates at the back. this is to stop combustion gases entering the habitation area when running on gas.Even if you don't intend to run on gas it must be done now.

 

[Ian_5074271]

Thanks for that, there was not any seals or foam around the fridge to cabinet. But it is going back to the 1998. Maybe I could inch the fridge out again and add a draft proof strip around the frame👍

 

[RogerL]

Thanks for that, there was not any seals or foam around the fridge to cabinet. But it is going back to the 1998. Maybe I could inch the fridge out again and add a draft proof strip around the frame👍

Historically a number of caravan makers didn't bother to room seal fridges when they installed them - completely against the fridge makers specification and against safety guidelines.

 

[toad a caravan]

These are the installation instructions for my 1990's Abbey