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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 16, 2013 20:56:45 GMT
I might have missed something, I finished my 240v hook-up wiring tonight so plugged it into the house and turned the fridge on, the little orange light came on but that's it. I twiddled the relevant knob but nothing seemed to happen. Is it supposed to make a noise? I wasn't sure if it was working or not so after 5 minutes of sticking my head inside to listen for something I switched it off! Do I need to just leave it on for a few hours or is it not working, i.e. should it be making some sort of noise!?!
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Post by X on Jul 16, 2013 21:02:14 GMT
No noise I am araid as on a 3 way absorbtion fridge it is actually a heating element that is doing the cooling ! Leave it on for a few hours and you should feel the heat coming out out of the higher vent . You will start to feelthe fridge cooling too in that time hopefully !
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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 16, 2013 21:03:33 GMT
Thanks, thought I was going mad! I'll plug it in again in the morning and leave it for a few hours.
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Post by X on Jul 16, 2013 21:06:52 GMT
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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 17, 2013 8:57:51 GMT
I've got my fingers crossed, I plugged it in this mornin so I'll check it at lunchtime after 4 hours and see if my beer is getting cold! I'm hoping to get the frdige to temperature at home and then maintain it on 12v while driving (if that bit of it works!) and gas when parked up! Its a bit of a novelty having a fridge!
I assumed it would work like my fridge at home when plugged in so its intersting to learn that its different.
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Post by Firefox on Jul 17, 2013 10:27:27 GMT
Yes they are quite different to compressor fridges which I understand totally. But the absortion idea and the ammonia I could never quite get my head round. They don't make any noise as there is no pump, just a heat cycle.
You can also get domestic gas fridges.
Best way to check is put your hand over exterior top vent.You should feel the waste heat.
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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 17, 2013 11:54:44 GMT
I popped home at lunchtime and I think its working, its not very cool but the inside of the van was like an oven, there is hot air coming out of the top vent so thats a good sign. It might get cooler overnight when temperatures in the van drop. With a bit of luck I might have a cool fridge for Brandon at the weekend!
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Post by billieblue on Jul 17, 2013 12:12:45 GMT
Does it have a little freezer compartment Ems? I find that that starts getting cool condensation quite quickly. Hope you have it sorted cos I like ice cubes in my G and T!
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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 17, 2013 12:16:02 GMT
I'll check tonight! I'm not risking ice cubes though, they will probably melt en-route and make a mess!
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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 17, 2013 12:17:01 GMT
Just a thought, does the fridge have to be level when on electric hook-up, my drive has a slope!
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Post by X on Jul 17, 2013 13:25:52 GMT
Some fridges are more sensitive to slopes than others but yes all work better when level . also in very hot weather they do struggle a bit ! When I lived in Spain many people remove vent covers and also some add computer type fans to aid cooling ! as Vern says it it hard to get your head around how they work as need heat but also cooling !
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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 17, 2013 13:43:05 GMT
I'll keep experimenting then! I'm pretty sure its doing something now, it might manage to get cooler overnight although last night felt as hot as the day! I'm going to pack all the gaps between food with ice packs for this weekend to help it along!
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Post by n brown on Jul 17, 2013 15:44:17 GMT
don't worry about a slope on electric. both elements are fitted directly to the heat exchanger pipe,but the heat from the gas flame can miss it a bit if not level
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Post by billieblue on Jul 17, 2013 17:37:33 GMT
My van had been parked up for quite a while on a hilly street and I thought the fridge was knacked cos it took ages on hook up but eventually did work
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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 17, 2013 20:04:57 GMT
Well I don't think its working, its been on for 12 hours now. There is definitely hot air coming out of the top vent and I can hear the odd noise but its still warm inside, no side of anything cold even in the freezer bit. I'll give it a go on gas at the weekend and see it that works but I guess if it doesn't work on one setting it won't work on the rest?
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Post by X on Jul 17, 2013 20:14:51 GMT
How much of a slope is it on ? If it has nit been used for a long time sometimes the upside down trick works too ! When mine died it was terminal as the system had leaked it`s fluid out evidenced by a yellow powder on the rear pipework ! As the replacement fridge was £1,500 we went for a repair which was a complete new cooling unit which comes ready filled with fluid at a very reasonable £500.00 ! I have also been told that tapping the pipework can help to get them started as the fluid can crystalize and block the venturi ! Good luck !
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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 17, 2013 20:31:39 GMT
I gave it a few wacks (more out of frustration!) and took the knob off and turned the bit that sticks out as I wasn't sure it was turning! Its well sealed in so I'll continue trying as I want to use the van this weekend, I can also put it on 12v on the way and try that and then try the gas just to make sure its not working before I start pulling the van apart!
If its not working by the end of the weekend I'll have to take it out to inspect the back and try the upside down trick!
Thanks for all the replies.
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Post by bopper on Jul 18, 2013 9:36:38 GMT
I can assure you absolutely... if there has been no fluid leaks....that the turning upside down method works a treat. Take out the screws down the sides of the fridge, you can now slide the fridge forward. Get an electrical screwdriver and small spanners x 2 (cannot remember size off hand) ready. Make sure the electric is Off and Gas is Off! Bring the fridge forward until you can see the connections on the top. Unscrew the 240v connections, there should be three in the terminals, make a note of colours if you think you cannot remember where they go. Take off the 12v connections, there are two of these (does not matter which way round they go on re-connection. Now, holding one spanner on the back gas connection joint undo the front connection with the other spanner. Now you can take out the fridge but keep an eye on the upper vent at the back of the fridge because this is usually a drop over fitting and requires lifting up to release the "chimney". When the fridge is out you can now service the burner. BE VERY CAREFUL that you do not break, bend or damage the burner parts but carefully remove the little screw covering the back entrance to the burner. Using a soft brush CAREFULLY brush off the dust, fluff and carbon deposits. You can use a hoover to suck out the muck but keep the hoover end ALWAYS far enough away so as not to bang on anything. After the good clean up put the little burner plate cover back on and literally turn the fridge up-side down I do this overnight. Then next morning, turn the fridge on it's side for an hour or two, the same with the other sides. Fit the fridge back into the van in the reverse way to taking it out being very careful that the chimney is aligned with the vent properly. After connecting the gas up, get a spray container with washing up liquid and water in it or mix in a bowl and use a soft brush (You can buy a prepriatory spray can for this if you wish) and after turning on the gas, spray liberally or douse with the brush the soap and water. Look out for bubbles! if the joint is blowing bubbles just try tightning the joint a little but don't overdo it! If it still leaks gas you MUST get some special tape and wrap around the threads and refit. (I have done many fridges like this and have always had NO leaks on reconnection. Turn off gas and reconnect electrics. Re-fit the fridge and turn the gas back on. Start fridge on gas and wait for frosting it should get frosty in around 4 hours. Believe me this method works my present fridge did not work at all, I used this method two years ago and when I came use the fridge this year it still works perfectly. How does it work you may ask. Well, the fluid crystallizes in the bottom part of the system and stays there. By turning the fridge upside down, the crystals dislodge and start to mix with the remainder of the fluid, enough to circulate around the system.
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Post by Ems&Beau on Jul 22, 2013 7:08:35 GMT
It works, it must have been the slope. I had it working on 12v and gas at the weekend so I'll get some levelling ramps for at home so that I can get it cool before I go away.
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Post by billieblue on Jul 22, 2013 8:33:42 GMT
Yay! The same as happened to me.....result!
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Post by X on Jul 22, 2013 8:54:39 GMT
Cool !
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Post by bopper on Jul 22, 2013 9:42:27 GMT
Glad to hear it! Saves all that trouble.
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