fridge reconditioning

[Mk2Tony]

Ok, I have an Electrolux fridge in my van that has seen better days, I haven't used it since I bought the van last year as I didn't really want to run it on gas with what looked like the original metal gas pipe, and the electrical side of it doesn't look amazing either!
does anyone know of somewhere in the south wales, preferably closer to the Cardiff area, that will recondition the fridge for me, as I cant see it being much more expensive than buying a new one looking at the prices!

any help much appreciated

Cheers Tony

[Ralf85]

Have you run it via the electric hook up to check that it works? See my message on this topic today. Get the gas side sorted later, once you know that the fridge works.

[paperhouselad]

Another thought on this, we are in similar position with dodgy fridge etc have decided to go along the coolbox route with a igloo maxcold keeps ice for 5 days. No gas electric to worry about.

[Ralf85]

Well in the current case it doesn't sound like the fridge is dodgy, just the owner is worried. Personally, I would test run it on gas to see if it is working (the pipes are metal not rubber hoses like mine, so they should be fine) but testing on hook-up is fine and less problematic. If the fridge is working fine then take it to a caravan service company to give it the once over, if still concerned about it.

If you don't want to use your working fridge, advertise it on our 'for sale - general' section. Someone will snap it up and enjoy the benefit of a fridge that runs non-stop when on a Summer holiday, or touring for months on end!

[killerme]

I suspect my fridge hadn't worked for a very long time (I've had the van for 2 years) and I felt the same as you but there is so much info available on this site that it made the job pretty easy. I was really tentative at first but once you start to get your hands dirty you realise that it really isn't beyond you. Mine wasn't even connected up and now, the fridge works a dream. It cost about 20 pounds to get the piping connected up (yours is probably already connected), and just the cost of buying some gas leak tester (from screwfix - it was leaking when I got it back from the guy who connected it). My journey is listed on https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=133216" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and I only had to connect some wires that had burnt out for some reason and give all the parts a good clean.
To sum up the process: make sure the gas tank is providing gas (that might involve making sure the tank is full (and can be filled) and the tank delivers gas ok), next get the fridge out and clean up and have a good look, then there are tests you can do both while the fridge is unconnected and later connected (but not fitted) - e.g. is it clicking? is it lighting up? is it staying on?

Most important - there are plenty of people who will help you here!

[Oldiebut goodie]

I have a policy of not believing/trusting so called professionals with things like gas, once I had a gas supply laid to a house by British Gas (the professionals) and the idiots left the main supply to the meter without the connection being screwed up. Needless to say there was a considerable dangerous gas leak, how that passed inspection was beyond me.

[Mk2Tony]

When I bought the van the previous owner said that the fridge did work but if no used for a while didn't get cold and to solve this he would turn it upside down overnight and then it would work fine. I will have to pull it out out again and have a proper look at the electrical side of it and see if I can clean it up and get it going. My next job is pulling the interior out anyway and trying to make sense of the 34yo mass of wires that lies behind the cupboards, so I will have a look at the fridge at the same time. I was thinking along the lines of a cooler box but would like to try and get the fridge in working order first. Cheers killerme, I will have a look at your thread now, I'm sure it must be salvageable.

Cheers

Tony

[killerme]

Yes - turning upside down is one of the essential things to do. Everyone is great here - even when you ask stupid things people are patient and helpful. So when you get going ask anything and we'll keep our eyes open. I have quite a few videos and texts of fridge stuff so email me on chrisowen@zoho.com when you want some.

[Mk2Tony]

Cheers dude, I will probably be in touch over the weekend as I'm planning on pulling all the interior out this weekend, relining and building new units to go in, so ill pull the fridge out tonight and start having a look at it

Cheers again dude much appreciated

Tony

[mr2allotments]

The fridge in my camper is now 29 years old, it works but I think it needs re-gassing. Why? well on hook-up when the van is 100% level it works within seconds, but if it isn't perfectly level then it can take up to 45 mins to start cooling down - thus I reckon that it's working fine but just needs more coolant.

I have just tried two local (Hertfordshire) caravan garages and both have told me that it is no longer possible to re-gas fridges .... I find this hard to believe!

Has anyone else come across this or do you know of anyone within 50 miles of St. Albans who could do this job for me?

Cheers

[Oldiebut goodie]

The older fridges were very critical on needing to be level (not many of them around though - they had a square boiler box, the more modern ones are round), the newer ones are a bit more tolerant of a slope. I have no trouble with mine.If you can sleep on a slight slope the fridge will work being a good guide.
If the cooling is adequate when level it certainly doesn't need re-gassing (refrigerant is a mixture of ammonia, water and 5% hydrogen under slight pressure usually ).

[oorwullie]

i've said this before and i'll say it again, just throw the 3 way gubbins and fit a compressor.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Why throw a perfectly usable fridge away? We can't all live in a tax haven with plenty of dosh!

[Mk2Tony]

Yeh to be honest I would rather see if I can get my current fridge working before I think about shelling out 300 odd quid on a new one, I'm sure I can find more important tings to spend that sort of cash on! It's not a massive concern I would just like to get it working as I'm planning on pulling everything out and re-doing all the units inside so if I can get it working I can incorporate it, otherwise I will just build an extra cupboard with a cooler box or something like that

Tony

[Ralf85]

Yeh to be honest I would rather see if I can get my current fridge working before I think about shelling out 300 odd quid on a new one, I'm sure I can find more important tings to spend that sort of cash on! It's not a massive concern I would just like to get it working as I'm planning on pulling everything out and re-doing all the units inside so if I can get it working I can incorporate it, otherwise I will just build an extra cupboard with a cooler box or something like that

Tony

So have you plugged it in yet?