Unicorn S3 Fridge switch burnt out

[JohnNic]

Hi I have a 2015 Bailey Unicorn S3 with a Dometic RML 9330 fridge. I had the van connected to mains power and switched the fridge to 240 to prepare for a trip next day. When I went out the following morning there was dreadful plastic burnt smell and the knob of the selector switch dropped off with the spindle burnt through. After disconnecting power and battery and with gas off I dismantled the top panel and found the switch and front fascia melted together!! I prized them apart and have now removed the switch. The 240 V terminal of the switch is completely melted out of the switch along with the terminal to the temp controller.





Has anyone any similar experience and was the cause just the switch burning out or is there a deeper problem. No other parts seem to have been overheated or burnt.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
John

 

[Hutch]

Wow, glad your safe, Normally problems like this have happend due to loose terminals, causing arcing and then heat melting, causing more arcing etc. A fuse in the system should have ruptured But maybe replaced at a previous time with a higher rated fuse.

 

[ProfJohnL]

With damage like that it almost impossible to identify the exact cause via a forum. It really needs hands on diagnosis. I suggest you should refer the caravan to a competent fitter to ensure the cause is traced and the damage correctly repaired.

 

[Buckman]

I agree with Hutch and strong possibility of a loose connection causing the issue. You are lucky you never lost the caravan!

 

[JohnNic]

With damage like that it almost impossible to identify the exact cause via a forum. It really needs hands on diagnosis. I suggest you should refer the caravan to a competent fitter to ensure the cause is traced and the damage correctly repaired.

Thanks for the replies. I will seek advice, just trying to see if its a known problem.

 

[Woodentop]

As I have before, could I point out to JohnNic that Unicorn is a range of caravans and it would benefit his cause if he gave the exact model - although he is not the only one who misses model out, not by a country mile!

 

[JohnNic]

Thank you for your comment. The Unicorn is a series 3 Cadiz although I believe many of the S3 Unicorns have the same fridge.

 

[Fissha1]

Hi I have a 2015 Bailey Unicorn S3 with a Dometic RML 9330 fridge. I had the van connected to mains power and switched the fridge to 240 to prepare for a trip next day. When I went out the following morning there was dreadful plastic burnt smell and the knob of the selector switch dropped off with the spindle burnt through. After disconnecting power and battery and with gas off I dismantled the top panel and found the switch and front fascia melted together!! I prized them apart and have now removed the switch. The 240 V terminal of the switch is completely melted out of the switch along with the terminal to the temp controller.

View attachment 5708

View attachment 5707

Has anyone any similar experience and was the cause just the switch burning out or is there a deeper problem. No other parts seem to have been overheated or burnt.
Any help appreciated.
Thanks
John

Hi this has happened to our unicorn today. If I hadn’t come back when I did I’m not sure what I would have come back too. How did you fix this please

 

[Fissha1]

Hi this has happened to our unicorn today. If I hadn’t come back when I did I’m not sure what I would have come back too. How did you fix this please

 

[ProfJohnL]

THe switch needs replacing, but it is also prudent to have the installation checked to see if there is another underlying cause.

 

[Fissha1]

THe switch needs replacing, but it is also prudent to have the installation checked to see if there is another underlying cause.

Yes I will thank you This is the image of it