Fridge not working!!

[T+T]

Hey, we bought a t25 campervan a while ago and recently tested the fridge but it didn't seem to work. We have been told about recharging it by the previous owner but are not really sure what this is and if it works. is it just better to buy a new one or will recharing it be sufficient? any input into this will be useful. as welll as if anybody knows where to get it recharged? we live in huddersfield. thanks T+T

[rugchucker]

Hi
The standard fix, presuming it is getting supply if on electric, gas lighting if its on gas, is to remove the fridge and stand it on its head for a few hours. Then refit it.

Des

[T+T]

ok we'll give this a try, we tried testing it today, left it on electric for 45mins and we could feel some heat from the back but it didnt seem to have got nay colder inside. would it nomally take longer than this or does that mean its broken?? plus the guy tht had it previously said he'd disconnected the gas, is it possible to re-connect it?? T+T

[rugchucker]

Hi When you say you put it on electric, was that 12volt or mains?

It should get cold in 45 mins, sometime on 12 volt it can take a while, especially if the engine isnt running, you will see whether you can reconnect the gas when you remove it, but it does sound like the refrigerant has seperated and the upside down treatment should work.

Easy to test on gas when its out of the van.

Des

[T+T]

Hi Des, Thanks for the reply, this sounds really dum but we're not sure whether it was on 12v or 240v, the engine wasn't running but it did use some of the battery cos we noticed the needle had moved. We do hav a 240v inverter but dont know how to tell whether we were running it on 12 or 240 lol. We took it out today when we tested it and i can see where the pilot light should be and I think ive located the ignitin button but when i push it theres no spark or clicking noise. I just couldnt work out where the gas should be hooked up to and whether it would work.

dont know if all tht means anythin to u lol

Thanks
T+T

[rugchucker]

No probs, its all a learning curve. Sound like its on the 12v. Thes fridges are designed to only run on 12v when on the move. If it has 240v then thats the power of choice if on a hookup. If camping without a hookup, then gas when parked up. The fridge will flatten a battery in a couple of hours if the engine isnt running.

I'm going off line now as I'm off to France in the Morning, so good luck. I'm sure someone on here will take up the batten and help you through.

Des

[Helga]

Hi, I have just (after advice on here) removed, serviced, replaced parts, and put back a T25 fridge - so maybe I can walk you through your fridge?

First, what model is it?

[1664]

I don't know what the previous owner meant by 'recharging' but it sounds (if it actually exists) like a bit of a job.

OK, first things first. Does your fridge control panel look anything like this? (Exactly the same would be even better)


Left to right; Red ignition switch, Gas selector knob (Off, 1, 2 and 3), 240v Mains thermostat knob ( 1 - 9 I think), Electric selector switch (240v, OFF, 12v)

'Helga' will recognise the picture......

Incidentally. fill in your 'profile' so we know where you are. You might be just round the corner from someone who can help......

[T+T]

Sorry guys not had chance to check the forum for a while, a few things have happened since......

We had someone look at the fridge and the previous owners hav actually dissconnected the gas switcher thing (sorry about y lack of technical language lol) so at the mo theres not even a pipe to attach the gas to

We asked bout re-gasing the fridge and it doesnt look like this is possible

We tried turning it upside down for a while as advised but when we turned it back the bloody electrics have come apart (think it was a bit of a bodge job finished with tape) and we hav NO idea how to fix that.

So all in all I'm thinkin maybe its time we buy a new fridge?? lol. In answer to your questions, its an Electolux, and it doesnt seem to have a control panel so no idea bout that!!

Plus we're in Huddersfield, so if anyone is close by that would be really useful!!lol

[kevtherev]

So all in all I'm thinkin maybe its time we buy a new fridge?? lol. In answer to your questions, its an Electolux, and it doesnt seem to have a control panel so no idea bout that!!

Plus we're in Huddersfield, so if anyone is close by that would be really useful!!lol

no not new fridge time yet.
these babies were designed to work for many ,many years.
they are filled with ammonia and are very efficient.
May I suggest you stop giving up and learn about what you have and how to maintain it. Electrolux don't make replacements.
80-90 can help you re-fit and re wire.
which is a darn sight cheaper than a new Dometic

we need pictures and desciptions ....

[AngeloEvs]

Based on the comments of the chap who looked at it, might be that the previous owner meant re-connecting the fridge to the gas when he said 're-gassing' it. Question is, why was it doscommected?

[1664]

a picture would be handy.........

[T+T]

Okie doke, I won't give up that easily lol. It was dissconected cos the guys before us didnt feel comfortable having the gas running all night with kids in the van??

I'll try take some pics today if poss (camera broke the other day, typical, but should b able to borrow one) and put them on asap and hopefully we can get it sorted.

Thanks for the help!!

[grumpyoldgit]

When I bought my van last summer, the fridge was not connected and not working. I messed around with it for a while but was not confident and was a bit concerned I was going to blow myself up or gas the family.
I took it to a caravan agent who was not happy about servicing it in situ as the regs now require fridges and cookers to be plumbed in with proper copper piping. That would have cost about £300 before he even looked at the fridge but he was happy for me to take the fridge out and then service it, which is what I did. They did say that they deal with lots of old Electrolux fridges and the fact that it was 26 years old did not faze them. As said elsewhere, these fridges seem pretty indestructible.
Getting the fridge out is a bit of a challenge but I managed it.
They put on new jets and renewed the rubber hosing and the thing now works like a dream. The cost was about £72.
The fridge also has 12v but this is really just for use when you are driving. It might help keep a cold fridge ticking over but will not bring it down to temperature in the first place. Just my experience. It may be that your 12v unit is more powerful.
To add confidence, I also bought a Carbon Monoxide detector for about £20 which I screwed to the wall of the clothes compartment at the back.
I have mentioned rubber hosing elsewhere recently. The hosing has the date of manufacture on the side. Opinion varied but if your tubing is more than about 5 years old you should consider replacing it.
The people on here are all willing to help but many are a lot more technical than me. I know my limitations and I was not happy about messing about with gas. You sound as though you may be in the same boat.

[T+T]

these are some of the pictures. it seems quite old!!