Club 80-90 Forums

Hiya

I have just gone to use my Electrolux 3 way fridge in a van I purchased a couple of months ago. It was sold as seen, I didn't check it, my bag (I did ask if it worked and was assured yes).

I cant see any signs of life. I tried it in the 12v setting. I heard a click as I turned the stat... but no other noise. I also tried the gas system... again, the gas supply is fine, but I can't see any evidence of the fridge working, is there a start up procedure for ignition etc. I have no manual.

Assuming the fridge is Kaputt. Are there any nice peeps out there able to service it... check it over? I am in the midlands at weekends, London during the week. I can see the price of replacement.... which is prohibitive at the moment.

Thank you in advance.

Hi

12v will only work when van is running and doesn't cool like gas or EHU. When using on gas the oigniter should click when lighting (small red light on front of mine) I also have to hold in a button on front until alight.. Can take a couple of hours for fridge to become cold.

Mine didn't work on gas at first. I took out the pilot jet and soaked in coke over night and now gets ice cold.

Take the fridge out. Clean the gas outlet jet and also leave it upside down for a night to allow the coolant to recirculate.

The dial which you can hear 'click' is the 240v mains fridge control and does not control the fridge on 12v. As mentioned, the 12v only runs the fridge whilst the engine is running as the current demand at 12v would flatten a battery in next to no time.

As your van is a 1990 Autosleeper, I'd assume you have electronic ignition (little red transparent switch on the left) which should flash and make a clicking noise when switched on until the gas lights when it will stop doing that. If when you switch it on it does not flash or click repeatedly, the electric feed to the switch is not turned on. In my camper the feed goes via the Zig unit, on an Autosleeper you don't have a Zig unit but you do have a control panel above the sink. Check if there is a 12v switch (or possibly marked 'leisure') and make sure that's switched on.

There is a thermocouple on the gas aspect of the fridge so you have to push and turn the dial next to the ignition switch to 3 and keep it pressed in while the igniter attempts to light the gas - once the gas is lit, you have to keep the button pressed for a few seconds while the thermocouple heats up and then the gas should remain lit once you release the knob. There should be a small circular 'window' at the back and bottom of the fridge compartment through which you should be able to see the flame - about the size of a pilot light; that's as big as it gets. If no gas is getting through, check all gas valves are open and that there is gas available.

These are absorption fridges so they are completely silent so don't expect to hear a motor or anything. They also take some time for the reaction to start - couple of hours or so. It's the metal tray in the freezer compartment that actually gets cold so that should start to look and feel 'frosty'.

From the 80-90 'Wiki', have a read https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ma ... rigeration" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

E D I T 1
Fridge instruction book https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/El ... 12f_manual" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Autosleeper Trident Manual https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Au ... ent_manual" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

E D I T 2
and yes your igniter is fed via the control panel https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Au ... ng_diagram" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

superb reply post 1664
top banana

Cruz wrote:Take the fridge out. Clean the gas outlet jet and also leave it upside down for a night to allow the coolant to recirculate.

If it needs to come out then there are three screws that hold it in
and remove the outer vent to get at the flue as it is withdrawn

set the three way to gas then turning the gas dial to 3 ... push in the dial gets it lit quick
should take no more than 15 seconds to light

gas mark 3 will freeze a can of beer in 5hrs.

as will 7 to 9 on 230v

on 12v (alternator) it works like a cool box.. pre cooled fridge will stay cool

Thank you for that. I feel a little wiser now. Lots of great information... particularly the manual and wiring diagram. Thanks 1664!

Ok. So here it is. The vehicle has a zig unit. none of the lights on it operate... but on the 12v setting the interior leisure battery supplied lights work, as does the water level gauge and light. The switch for the water pump also works. Again, no light comes on, but the tap works just fine.

The fridge I haven't tried while moving! So I will give the 12v thing a go on a long run to Wales tomorrow.

However. There is no sign of life on the ignition switch. No light, no clicking... no nothing. There is gas, its a new cylinder... the little cooker fires up no problem. The regulator on the cylinder is fine, the isolation valves on the supply to both cooker and fridge look fine.

I have yet to try the fridge on 240v.

Does this sound like an ignition issue... or electrical supply to the fridge? All the fuses (x6) in the zig appear sound. The little fuse next to the leisure battery is also sound.

I actually work with an electrician. How/where could he check to see if there is power reaching the fridge. And exactly how do I get the fridge out without killing it.

Very new to my campervan!!

Thanks again

Si

And exactly how do I get the fridge out without killing it.

kevtherev wrote: If it needs to come out then there are three screws that hold it in (look in the cupboards)
and remove the outer vent to get at the flue as it is withdrawn

How/where could he check to see if there is power reaching the fridge.

when the fridge is withdrawn the rocker switch and ignition module will be easy to test

ps
the clicking is more of a faint tick

have you tried the ignition sequence?
unused fridges take a while longer initialy

My 1990 Autosleeper Trident 'fridge has a little porthole thingy inside the 'fridge near the bottom of the back wall. When lit (on gas), you can see a blue flame through the porthole.

I was also a bit dubious at first whether the 'fridge was working, as it is so silent. So I plugged in the EHU and left it running for a good few hours. - Worked well. I'm now happy that all is in order, and the 'fridge works well - sometimes too well, and have to knock it down 1 or 2 notches.

I usually turn the 'fridge on the night before we go away (on EHU), just to get the thing to working temperature before loading with perishables.

Do you have a leisure battery voltage indicator? If so, you might see a dip in charge when applying the gas starter if it's connecting ok. Make sure the leisure 12V switch is ON before you try to start the 'fridge on gas - been there!