Caravan Fridge Repair part1

[@MrJohnTherat]

Many thanks for this fantastic video. I'm qualified electronics engineer and was asked by a friend to see if I could help him sort out a N175 fridge freezer that he has in a Fiat motorhome. His problem was that it works absolutely fine on battery and gas but was failing with fault code 1 (low voltage) on the mains supply. From the excellent information that you have provided I was able to locate and test the 240vac heating element but was surprised to find it intact but reading approximately 240 ohms opposed to your o/c heater. From close inspection of the control circuit board, I immediately realised that the current consumed by the heating element is monitored on the circuit board which is where the low voltage is detected. Anyway, 240 volts / 240 ohms is only 1 Amp which is way too low to heat the refrigerant. I would expect something in the low ohms 10 to 30R which would draw in the region of about 10 Amps. I have ordered a new element but boy was the old one difficult to remove because of corrosion. Once the new heater is fitted am expecting the fridge to operate normally one again. Again, many thanks indeed for the amazing instructional videos that helped me no end. Best wishes, John Ratcliffe. Update: Only fair to complete my post with the final outcome. I was horrified to find that the resistance of the new mains heater element was the same at about 240ohms which leaves me dumbfounded that 1A flowing through the element would operate the fridge. I can’t say with any confidence if a parallel resistance (doubtful) is applied over the heating element by the power board to lower the resistance and increase the current, anyway the power board is the only thing left and has been sent away for testing. Fingers crossed that it fixes the problem.

[@denisryan3319]

Fantastic video.Changed the mains element on mine and found it the best video on You Tube to change the element. Thanks A Million.

[@brianphelan74]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@sammy_swift_on_the_road947]

Great video. Just changed the mains element on mine and found it very useful. Thanks Terry

[@brianphelan74]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@PMSSystemsLimited]

Thanks for the tutorial. Saved me hours. Mine is an N175 in an Elddis Aspire 2012, and yes the mains heater had gone. Mine was a little easier because there were inline connectors for the mains and 12v wiring. Got to try and find a heater in stock now before a tour of France. Thanks again.

[@patrickroussel4264]

Thanks for this very useful video our fridge doesn't work on 220V will try to fix it according your experience great to find some help such as this one to avoid expensive dealer repair.Thanks again great help

[@brianphelan74]

Patrick Roussel Pleased to help.

[@alisonmayes3213]

Very useful , just tested the 240 v element and is faulty , Thanks

[@declancunningham2792]

would you just check because I think you have your 12V and Mains wires mixed up?

[@AWROAL]

Thanks Bodgit, that's very helpful. What temperatures does your thermal switch kick in at?

[@brianphelan74]

I cant say exactly. But on a hot sunny day the fan comes on. You can adjust it to come on at any temp really.. But to gain any use out of it its best when its warm outside.

[@kriskros8537]

Good work...:)

[@leehedger5056]

I think you have your 240v and 12v muddled up!

[@brianphelan74]

Hi Lee. Hope all is well during this odd time. To answer your question. No , all the connections went back the way I found them. Plus I’m quite up on electrics and mechanics as im qualified as a mechanical engineer. Thanks for the question anyway.

[@leehedger5056]

@@brianphelan74 240 is the left and the black and red 12v are on the right

[@brianphelan74]

Lee Hedger Hi Lee, I haven’t got my van here to check. But I’m sure I checked the wires with a meter. I can’t remember it’s been a bit of time since I done this. I’d be surprised if the right wires were 12v as they are thicker than the left. As long as the wires are returned as they were taken off . If the wires are as you say that just backs up that you should use these videos as a guide. Plus the cover does indicate that the 12v is on the left.

[@alistaircumings7163]

Bodgit 45 definitely have the wiring connections described wrong, the wires are larger on the 12 volt system because lower voltage means larger amps so requires thicker cables.

[@brianphelan74]

Alistair Cumings hi Alistair. To make sure I’ll take the video down until I can check on the van.