Um i was just about to sell the one i have for parts , because i know nothing about them and was intimidated to try and get it going , im going to give it a go first and see if i can get it working , id love to keep it if i can get it to work , thanks for this video , you gave me the confidence to try ...
Thank you very very much! You just educated one physicist (but working all life as IT) how to repair his "new" bought 3-way fridge! It's never late to return to the Nature ;-)
Dear sir,ive just found your video.my good freind has bought a 4 berth caravan good used from ,a good neighbour, Im an electrician by trade,but have not worked on caravans before,their 3way fridge is not working on the electric side too.this exellent presentation,has given me all the knowledge,i need to fix it.a brilliant video,very clear precise and methodical.thankyou most kindly.
What a pleasurable and informative instruction video. Great presentation well placed good use of the English language with proper grammar good sentences and appropriate pausing.
Brilliant 2-part video on troubleshooting caravan 3-way fridges. I now understand how my 40 year old fridge works and that the problem is most likely to be with the ammonia fluid as there is heat coming from the vent meaning the heater is working. Just got to get the fridge out now and turn it upside down!
Very helpful thanks, got the same fridge with wires cut off/missing so now I know where they're supposed to go, I can bench test it before fitting it to my self build camper. Thanks!
Thanks mate, 90% helpful. Would of been 100% if not for the glitch in the video whilst demonstrating how to read the multimeter when testing if the heater is buggered through the 12v switch. ( sorry to be picky :)
Hi John, thanks for your videos, I learned everything I needed to check out my fridge. However.. 2 points: -the Part 2 video still says "Gas" in the title.. should be "Electric"; -When you connected the multimeter to the terminals at the back of the switch, you were testing the switch, not the element. It worked.. full contact in one position and open circuit in the other. To test the element you would need to test for resistance between the two wires leading to the element, which is what you did correctly when checking the mains element.
Hi David Thanks so much for your kind words and input. Totally messed up on the title (Doh!) now fixed and I was aware of the error in the testing (Brought about because I new that heater was broken anyway and then turned my brain off whilst talking and filming😔 and as you point out I incorrectly probed the switch rather than the heater wires. (But as I got what I expected I didn't notice🤯. I have made a small edit to the film now.👍
@@ToTheGarage Great! We all have occasional brain fades from time to time.. good to hear that you have sorted it. People like you who have useful knowledge and put the effort in to share that knowledge with others are much appreciated by people like me who have tools and confidence but no experience in the specific activity.. keep up the good work!
I have the same problem mentioned by someone else, works on gas the freezer compartment creates ice but the main compartment doesn’t get below 12 degrees C. To get to that temperature takes over 24 hrs.
At 19:57 you are about to test the 12V continuity. You put one probe into the spade connector at the back of the switch... and then the tape jumps so we never see what you do with the other probe or what the result was!?
Brilliant I got a 3 way keeps chucking trip out in caravan so tuck it out put to my garage still chuck trip in house on 240 I think 240 heater element but could b wrong
Great vids John, I have a 30yr old crafter autotrail with one of these fridges thats getting cold but not cold enough, I will be taking it out soon, have you done a vid on how to take the unit out?
Great video, i actually found it fascinating! I'm picking up my camper on Wednesday and it has a carvin 3 way fridge in. I never thought a fridge could run on gas, now i feel i know all about it haha! I understand they are rubbish on a battery, my question is - how much gas do they consume?? I will probably switch to a compressor fridge soon as solar panel can cope, free energy!! Shame these can't do the same as the silent feature is good, but then again gas being on all the time is a bit worrying..... Can't have it all.
Hi Dan Typically they use about 200grams of gas per 24 hrs if working hard and turned up to full. so dependent upon what size and how many gas bottles you have, about 5 days per kilogram
I have a VW T25 westfalia which runs a fridge very similar to the one there ... i had to do various work (new jet, thermocouple etc) on the gas side ... It now works great .. So many people as you say bin them for modern compressor fridges ... they still take quite a draw and you then need solar etc to run them .. my old Electrolux will run for weeks on gas .. Whats not to like and what makes these new fridges better ??
My fridge,is 46 yrs old, works well on 240 volt , not on gas yet, as after watching this great video I will look into the gas side of things, but on electricity it makes a terrible whinning sound, what could that be please
Hi Lindsay Typically an absorption fridge is completely silent save for the sound of a pilot flame burning whilst on gas. There are no moving parts The only way I could conscieve of it generating a whining sound is if the sealed loop of refrigerant has a leak or is very depleted and therefore you hear the air moving in the system. Compressor fridges on the other hand have a pump to circulate the refrigerant and are better at cooling but constantly generating a low level of noise ( typically a hum ) They are fine in a house or large RV where you sleep away from them. hence absorbsion fridges are popular in campers. Sorry I can’t be more helpful. But other than a rare gurgle like a radiator, it should be silent John
Thanks, John. I have taken mine apart, turned it over and rocked it about. Everything looked good and in great condition and working, except that the food compartment doesn't go below 12deg C whilst the freezer gets cold around -15deg C. What else would you advise me to check out?
Hi John, i have dometic RM4361 in my motorhome which came 2nd hand from Japan. The unit is running at 110volt but i have installed 220v electrical system as i am at Malaysia. Obviously the fridge is not running on main but it works on 12v and gas. Would it work if i install a step down transformer at the incoming main line?
Yes a stepdown transformer should work well. However if its previously been tried using the 220V supply, if the fuse has not protected it then the heater element maybe burnt out🤞
I have the Elecrolux RM212 but instead of the Piezo igniter, it has an electronic ignition system so it's supposed to click until the gas is lit, but this has stopped working. Do you think its a simple repair like the switch being replaced, or something a little more of a challenge for me like removing the fridge and doing a bit of rewiring? Thank you for both videos in this play list so far.
I would like to of seen you strip down the burner unit on this fridge as it is the same as mine, and I would like to get mine going on the gas as I don't, or can't see the flame lit from the inside of the fridge.
When testing the 12v circuit you appeared to only check the resistance through the switch, not the element? did I miss something? There should be no resistance through the switch.
Have same fridge. Works well 240v and on gas, however 12v another matter. 12v from 2nd battery right through to relay on top of fridge but when switching 12v on either no 12v to back of switch or on rocking switch back and forth, intermittent power recorded (probe i/c bulb light). Is it likely switch at fault? Or do I have to have van running (high revs) to have working? Any advice appreciated.
The van does nerd to be running to use fridge on 12.v. if its wired in properly a relay looks for an output from the alternator. before it allows the 12 volts through to the fridge heater. without the van running the fridge would flatten the battery in about 10 minutes
I never would have thought that a treatise on caravan fridges could be so fascinating or enjoyable. Thanks John.
cheers Gerard👍
Um i was just about to sell the one i have for parts , because i know nothing about them and was intimidated to try and get it going , im going to give it a go first and see if i can get it working , id love to keep it if i can get it to work , thanks for this video , you gave me the confidence to try ...
Glad I could help
Thank you very very much! You just educated one physicist (but working all life as IT) how to repair his "new" bought 3-way fridge! It's never late to return to the Nature ;-)
Dear sir,ive just found your video.my good freind has bought a 4 berth caravan good used from ,a good neighbour,
Im an electrician by trade,but have not worked on caravans before,their 3way fridge is not working on the electric side too.this exellent presentation,has given me all the knowledge,i need to fix it.a brilliant video,very clear precise and methodical.thankyou most kindly.
Thanks Stephen
What a pleasurable and informative instruction video. Great presentation well placed good use of the English language with proper grammar good sentences and appropriate pausing.
So nice of you
Great concise breakdown ... thank you very much for your great tutorial
Glad it was helpful!
Brilliant 2-part video on troubleshooting caravan 3-way fridges. I now understand how my 40 year old fridge works and that the problem is most likely to be with the ammonia fluid as there is heat coming from the vent meaning the heater is working. Just got to get the fridge out now and turn it upside down!
Very helpful thanks, got the same fridge with wires cut off/missing so now I know where they're supposed to go, I can bench test it before fitting it to my self build camper. Thanks!
Glad it helped
Your explanation skills are awesome man. Thanks for this
My pleasure!
Thanks mate, 90% helpful.
Would of been 100% if not for the glitch in the video whilst demonstrating how to read the multimeter when testing if the heater is buggered through the 12v switch.
( sorry to be picky :)
fare comment. Sorry😔
Thanks John. Very well explained. While since I’ve done one of these, really helpful. Just reinvinverted a none worker and reconnecting 🤞
Excellent explanations of the workings, thank you. 👍
Great video. These fridges are fantastic if you look after them .
👍
THANKS TO U JOHN I NOW KNOW HOW TO REPAIR MA FRIDGE. AW THE BEST.
Hi John, thanks for your videos, I learned everything I needed to check out my fridge.
However.. 2 points:
-the Part 2 video still says "Gas" in the title.. should be "Electric";
-When you connected the multimeter to the terminals at the back of the switch, you were testing the switch, not the element. It worked.. full contact in one position and open circuit in the other. To test the element you would need to test for resistance between the two wires leading to the element, which is what you did correctly when checking the mains element.
Hi David
Thanks so much for your kind words and input. Totally messed up on the title (Doh!) now fixed and I was aware of the error in the testing (Brought about because I new that heater was broken anyway and then turned my brain off whilst talking and filming😔 and as you point out I incorrectly probed the switch rather than the heater wires. (But as I got what I expected I didn't notice🤯.
I have made a small edit to the film now.👍
@@ToTheGarage Great! We all have occasional brain fades from time to time.. good to hear that you have sorted it.
People like you who have useful knowledge and put the effort in to share that knowledge with others are much appreciated by people like me who have tools and confidence but no experience in the specific activity.. keep up the good work!
I have the same problem mentioned by someone else, works on gas the freezer compartment creates ice but the main compartment doesn’t get below 12 degrees C. To get to that temperature takes over 24 hrs.
Great video, thanks for making it!
Brilliant, thank you.
You're very welcome!
Good explanation, even for Dutch. Good job 👍
Thanks! 😃
At 19:57 you are about to test the 12V continuity. You put one probe into the spade connector at the back of the switch... and then the tape jumps so we never see what you do with the other probe or what the result was!?
So here's a question for you, what do you do when you pull the heating element out and the pipe it slids into comes out with it ?
Good video prepared now to investigate why mine’s not working!
great teacher
Brilliant I got a 3 way keeps chucking trip out in caravan so tuck it out put to my garage still chuck trip in house on 240 I think 240 heater element but could b wrong
Sounds like it Alan.
Great vids John, I have a 30yr old crafter autotrail with one of these fridges thats getting cold but not cold enough, I will be taking it out soon, have you done a vid on how to take the unit out?
Great video, i actually found it fascinating! I'm picking up my camper on Wednesday and it has a carvin 3 way fridge in. I never thought a fridge could run on gas, now i feel i know all about it haha! I understand they are rubbish on a battery, my question is - how much gas do they consume?? I will probably switch to a compressor fridge soon as solar panel can cope, free energy!! Shame these can't do the same as the silent feature is good, but then again gas being on all the time is a bit worrying..... Can't have it all.
Hi Dan
Typically they use about 200grams of gas per 24 hrs if working hard and turned up to full.
so dependent upon what size and how many gas bottles you have, about 5 days per kilogram
@@ToTheGarage that's good to know, a lot less than i thought. I think I'll keep it for now then, keeps the battery for lights etc. Cheers.
I have a VW T25 westfalia which runs a fridge very similar to the one there ... i had to do various work (new jet, thermocouple etc) on the gas side ... It now works great .. So many people as you say bin them for modern compressor fridges ... they still take quite a draw and you then need solar etc to run them .. my old Electrolux will run for weeks on gas .. Whats not to like and what makes these new fridges better ??
For many they have turned into disposable items when in actual fact very few of them are truly broken beyond easy repair
My fridge,is 46 yrs old, works well on 240 volt , not on gas yet, as after watching this great video I will look into the gas side of things, but on electricity it makes a terrible whinning sound, what could that be please
Hi Lindsay
Typically an absorption fridge is completely silent save for the sound of a pilot flame burning whilst on gas.
There are no moving parts
The only way I could conscieve of it generating a whining sound is if the sealed loop of refrigerant has a leak or is very depleted and therefore you hear the air moving in the system.
Compressor fridges on the other hand have a pump to circulate the refrigerant and are better at cooling but constantly generating a low level of noise ( typically a hum ) They are fine in a house or large RV where you sleep away from them. hence absorbsion fridges are popular in campers.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful. But other than a rare gurgle like a radiator, it should be silent
John
The best way to stop any whining is to leave the wife at home.
Thanks, John. I have taken mine apart, turned it over and rocked it about. Everything looked good and in great condition and working, except that the food compartment doesn't go below 12deg C whilst the freezer gets cold around -15deg C. What else would you advise me to check out?
Hi, did you work out what the problem was, I have this issue as well. freezer works but Fridge not getting cold.
Hi John, i have dometic RM4361 in my motorhome which came 2nd hand from Japan. The unit is running at 110volt but i have installed 220v electrical system as i am at Malaysia. Obviously the fridge is not running on main but it works on 12v and gas. Would it work if i install a step down transformer at the incoming main line?
Yes a stepdown transformer should work well.
However if its previously been tried using the 220V supply, if the fuse has not protected it then the heater element maybe burnt out🤞
I have the Elecrolux RM212 but instead of the Piezo igniter, it has an electronic ignition system so it's supposed to click until the gas is lit, but this has stopped working. Do you think its a simple repair like the switch being replaced, or something a little more of a challenge for me like removing the fridge and doing a bit of rewiring?
Thank you for both videos in this play list so far.
It sounds like the ignitor may have failed ... you can buy them online at places such as Brickwerks ... they are not too difficult to fit -
@@SKSK-rz7br thanks for the info, I'll check them out.
I would like to of seen you strip down the burner unit on this fridge as it is the same as mine, and I would like to get mine going on the gas as I don't, or can't see the flame lit from the inside of the fridge.
Hi
Check out part 1. I do the burner strip down on the smaller fridge but the design is almost identical
When testing the 12v circuit you appeared to only check the resistance through the switch, not the element? did I miss something? There should be no resistance through the switch.
Hi The switch was off
What is the watts of the 220v element?
Hi. Obviously, it varies by model, age, fridge size etc However 150 watts is quite typical.
Have same fridge. Works well 240v and on gas, however 12v another matter. 12v from 2nd battery right through to relay on top of fridge but when switching 12v on either no 12v to back of switch or on rocking switch back and forth, intermittent power recorded (probe i/c bulb light). Is it likely switch at fault? Or do I have to have van running (high revs) to have working? Any advice appreciated.
The van does nerd to be running to use fridge on 12.v. if its wired in properly a relay looks for an output from the alternator. before it allows the 12 volts through to the fridge heater. without the van running the fridge would flatten the battery in about 10 minutes
@@ToTheGarage Many thanks. Good video by the way.
That's an old fridge. Electrolux, not even branded Dometic which came in 20 years ago.