Fridge working or not?

[Helga]

Got a standard electrolux 3 way fridge in my 82 westy, but not sure if it is working... tried it on 240... but it didn't make any noise and didn't get very cold! How can I test it? Anybody know anybody round Stockport, Manchester, who could look at it for me?

Thanks!

[sabcully]

I just tried my fridge for the first time. You won't hear anything at all and it took quite a few hours for the fridge to get cold.
Gas was the fastest. After leaving it on for 25 min the iceshelf was getting cold (slightly)
Main fridge will take a lot longer.

Best to go away in it and test it that way.

[1664]

They are absorption fridges and don't make any noise as there's no compressor like in a domestic fridge. They also take a while for the process to start taking effect.

[Mr Bean]

To be honest unless you have a probe on a wire type thermometer your best bet is to leave a thermometer in the ice box for and hour or so. It could take considerably longer to come down to freeze a container of water. Not a job for the impatient. I had one three way go duff on me and electrolux ceased the repair/regassing service so I had to buy a new one. You will be able to feel the heat around the lower rear even on electric and if it is fitted in the van you should still feel heat at the top external grill if it ain't too windy out.
Cheers
Wolfie

[pocolow]

Take it out of the van ,turn it upside down for a couple of hours then try it on mains for about 4-6 six hours ..if its working it should be cold by then.

[Helga]

Thanks - I'll get a thermometer tomorrow and give it a go... or maybe wait until the weekend and hook her up to 240 again and leave her on for the day.

Thanks, Matthew.

[Helga]

Take it out of the van ,turn it upside down for a couple of hours then try it on mains for about 4-6 six hours ..if its working it should be cold by then

... Is that a serious sugestion?

[1664]

Take it out of the van ,turn it upside down for a couple of hours then try it on mains for about 4-6 six hours ..if its working it should be cold by then

... Is that a serious sugestion?

Yes, it remixes the 'goo' (for want of a better word) and removes any crystals that may have formed. Last resort though as it's a pain in the butt getting the fridge out. before you do that, leave it running for a few hours and then feel the tray inside the freezer compartment - should be very noticably cold by then. Once the process has started you can switch from mains to gas and wait another couple of hours to see if it stays cold - that way you'll know both work. Don't worry about the amount of gas; it uses next to nothing........

[jamesc76]

leave it running for a few hours and then feel the tray inside the freezer compartment - should be very noticably cold by then...

I did that on a new fridge i got and very nearly stuck my hand to it just be carefull!!!

[Ian Hulley]

On 240 it should go cold quite quickly (say an hour or so) but on 12v or gas the van needs to be quite level for it to cool down. In 3 hours running on 12v our fridge will freeze sausages no probs one day sat at Brid on gas mark III and I had to turn it down to I cos it had froze the bl%dy eggs

Ian.

[Helga]

Just home from work... will go and plug her in now to see what happens.

Thanks!

[Helga]

Right, two hours on 240 volts and the fridge was still warmer than the van! So, tried the gas for three quarters of an hour or so and no change... I was using a digital thermometer for minute accuracy lol.

So, where to go from here? Anything obvious I can change / alter to make it work? Anybody near Stockport with fridge knowledge lol ... it is an electrolux RM 184 EGI from an 82 westy by the way.

Can you get a fridge to fit the gap and still have the original westy wooden door front?

Thanks!

[Helga]

Oh, and cash available to make it work! lol

[1664]

Let's assume for a moment the 240v is knackered. 3/4 hour on gas will be barely enough to start it going. Leave it on gas overnight and as Ian Hulley said, on level ground. If it still doesn't work ermmmm........we'll revise the situation.

[Ian Hulley]

First things first ...

Do you actually have 240v ... is it plugged in, is it switched on in the house, is it tripped at the van's consumer unit ?

Do you actually have 12v ... has it blown a fuse ? Is there a relay or switch which you need to have on ? Is it even connected ?

Do you actually have gas ... is there a leisure underfloor tank ? Is it empty ? Is the valve switched on and any isolator inside switched on ? Can you actually see a flame ?

Is the van 100% level ?

Ian.