Thetford fridge fault

[allan251078]

Hi, I have a 2010 sprite alpine, the fridge works perfect but only with control panel above door turned off, when turn on it cuts the 12v power to fridge display, battery is good, have looked behind fridge (see photos), anybody know if there's a fuse etc in there further in (see photos). I have checked around wiring in caravan for loose connections etc but no luck so far, Thanks

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Allan,

I note this is your first posting on the forum - welcome.

The first thing, do you have a copy of the fridges instructions, if not many of them are available if you google the make and model. That might explain the operation.

Here is a video about thetford's that look similar to yours

I wonder if you are confused about the way the caravan fridges work? They are able to be run using 230Vac mains when hooked up or gas, or from 12V when the caravan is being towed. The fridge usually has two sets of connections to the 12V system, one that only powers the control panel, and another which allows the fridge to cool when towing.

The fridge should not use the caravan battery to cool, so there is usually a "Habitation " relay fitted to the caravan (not the fridge) which prevents the fridge from using the caravan battery to cool.

 

[Buckman]

I am under the impression that the control panel automatically lights up when it is switched on whether gas, 12v or 240v. However on 12v the fridge will not operate to cool down unless connected to the towing vehicle with its engine running.
As above please confirm that the control panel shuts down although the caravan is connected to 240v and that 240v electric has been selected? They normally default to the correct source.
Depending on your answer to this and the previous post if there is still an issue as it is a Thetford fridge the first thing to suspect is the PC board which are many models they tend to corrode.

 

[allan251078]

Hi, thanks for replying, maybe I should explain more, I was away for 4 days in caravan connected with mains and battery, everything works fine other than fridge display fault, When 240v and battery are connected and when display on fridge is on with control panel above door off the fridge definitely is cooling. But when turn control panel above door back on it turns fridge display off. I read manuals and can't find anything related to this, checked all fuses I can find, checked wiring as much as poss and in fuse/trip box, basically power is getting cut off to fridge display when I turn on control panel above door, does this on just battery power or both 230v and battery, so to get around it we had to keep turning g control panel on to use lights and waterpump then turn off again to get fridge to come back on, hope this makes sense, thanks

 

[Buckman]

Hi, thanks for replying, maybe I should explain more, I was away for 4 days in caravan connected with mains and battery, everything works fine other than fridge display fault, When 240v and battery are connected and when display on fridge is on with control panel above door off the fridge definitely is cooling. But when turn control panel above door back on it turns fridge display off. I read manuals and can't find anything related to this, checked all fuses I can find, checked wiring as much as poss and in fuse/trip box, basically power is getting cut off to fridge display when I turn on control panel above door, does this on just battery power or both 230v and battery, so to get around it we had to keep turning g control panel on to use lights and waterpump then turn off again to get fridge to come back on, hope this makes sense, thanks

Check the PC board as there may be a short on it due to condensation of water on it. Try drying the PC board with a hair dryer. You need to apply the blown air for about 10 minutes. Worth a try.

 

[allan251078]

Hi Buckman

Is that the PC board behind the fridge where all the wires to into or for display at front, meant to say when I got back from the 4 days away it started working normally later that night after being off for a few hours but only for 3 days just with quick test every night, then fault appeared again, don't know I disturbed wiring or something, thanks for help

 

[Buckman]

Hi Buckman

Is that the PC board behind the fridge where all the wires to into or for display at front, meant to say when I got back from the 4 days away it started working normally later that night after being off for a few hours but only for 3 days just with quick test every night, then fault appeared again, don't know I disturbed wiring or something, thanks for help

I think that is the correct one. I only watched when they repaired our Thetford. Luckily it was still under warranty at the time. Although only about 15 months old, the board was badly corroded due to moisture. The caravan was a 2011 model.
It could be that it is drying out which is why fault seems intermittent. May be still worth removing the board and drying it plus all the plugs. Check inside the plug sockets on the PC board so make sure no damp hiding in them.

 

[allan251078]

Hi, did they fit it from outside of van or remove fridge, was your fridge showing same fault as mine? I will remove plugs and try to dry it from outside first, if no luck I will remove it when I get time as it looks awkward, thanks very much 👍

 

[Buckman]

Hi, did they fit it from outside of van or remove fridge, was your fridge showing same fault as mine? I will remove plugs and try to dry it from outside first, if no luck I will remove it when I get time as it looks awkward, thanks very much 👍

Mine was a totally different fault, but the PC board is a very common fault on Thetford fridges.

 

[allan251078]

Hi, I've removed pcb from rear of fridge and replaced fuses, the 2 amp come apart when pulled, anyway put all back together but still no better. So I was just checking everything else for the weekend, I tried the truma fan and it stopped working but found it blew the fuse, so I tried fridge again and it worked perfect, replaced fuse for fan and fan works but fridge not, any ideas, just going to leave fuse out for fan for now as don't realy use it but would still like it working, thanks

 

[Buckman]

Hi, I've removed pcb from rear of fridge and replaced fuses, the 2 amp come apart when pulled, anyway put all back together but still no better. So I was just checking everything else for the weekend, I tried the truma fan and it stopped working but found it blew the fuse, so I tried fridge again and it worked perfect, replaced fuse for fan and fan works but fridge not, any ideas, just going to leave fuse out for fan for now as don't realy use it but would still like it working, thanks

I think you have got to the stage that you need an AWS technician to have a look at it?