Westfalia fridges - testing/repair

[poshbuggers]

I have 2 Westfalia fridges, Electrolux/Dometic ones.

One is from a US van so set up for 110V? and the other is a stock 240v unit.

I've hooked up the 240v one to 12/gas and 240v but it doesn't do anything. On instructions from a friend I left it upside down/shook it around a little but it's still doing nowt.

I also removed the 'chimney' cover to get a look at some 'elements'. I assume these are the long copper things. Mine has 2 which are partly covered in a white sheathing but when connected they don't change temperature at all.

Can anyone help or advise on how to properly test / repair these units? I have 10 days to get a fridge working and I am getting a bit concerned

[davejl]

Hi

I repaired/serviced my westfalia fridge (Electolux RM194 EGI) earlier this year - it was only getting cool on 12v! I followed the guidance on the Wiki - https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... aintenance" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Yes the elements are as you described. did the whole clean and fridge invesions which marginally improved 12v performance; in the end I replaced both elements - from Ashridge (just give them the model details) (I think gunzel also sells them) and cleaned the jet in a little bit of white spirts. If you do it all in one go it should only take a couple of hours. Mine will now make ice on gas and 240v / remain 'frozen' on 12v; just had 8 days away and it performed excellent (had to turn it down due to sometings becoming frozen).

[Oldiebut goodie]

You will be able to test the yank one on 12v and gas - if they work you should just need to change the 110 v element (or not bother for now).

[poshbuggers]

Great help guys!.

I'll have a go at the yank one tomorrow and if it runs will order that element.

[poshbuggers]

Had a look today and really got into it.

I took both fridges and set the yank one up to test the 12v. After some fiddling I got the element heating up well.

Next I wanted to check the gas but the connections (pipes) were all different so I put on my brave face and swapped the entire thermostat/switch assembly from the german one onto the yank unit, wiring it like for like. The fan tested faulty so I swapped that too.

Once I had it all fitted up I tried it on gas but no joy so I took the gas jet/igniter box to bits and cleaned the jet. Testing at the input pipe and jet revealed a healthy flow of gas. I then checked the igniter which sent a very clear spark to the jet housing of about 8mm in distance. I also cleaned the thermocouple and refitted it all.

Testing again I had lots of heat at the element area (hot enough to burn) but couldn't see a pilot light in the window???

Despite the heat there was no evidence of the fridge getting cold.

So, if I have heat what else do I need to get the thing to cool?

[Oldiebut goodie]

Now comes the turning upside down part - for 24 hours, then right way up and leave for another 24. This remixes the ammonia mixture in the pipework - apparently it can crystallize through lack of use and block the pipework.
Seeing the flame in the window is a bit of an art in itself I've found - laying on the floor and look upwards at an angle is the only way that I can see mine! It takes forever to get cold on gas from startup but is great once it gets going, I usually start mine the evening before going away so that it is ready. You should be able to feel the cooling beginning to work more or less straight away though on the plates in the icebox.