Thetford fridge not working

CSB1960
CSB1960 Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited April 2018 in Caravans #1

I'm new to caravanning so am looking for some help. I have a 2014 Sprite with Thetford fridge, I have it on my driveway connected to the mains, it's been sat there over the winter. The fridge was working when we left it on the drive and for some time after however recently it's stopped working. I left it on (I'm getting the idea that's wrong?) over the winter as we were planning on getting out and about but never did.

I've tried levelling the van (even though it hasn't moved) and used all three power sources but none of them work. I can switch it on and within two minutes all the green lights and the power source sign are flashing. I tried leaving it off and going back later but all to no avail. I have now left it off with the door open (probably what I should have done originally).

Any ideas of what may be wrong? It's in for annual service in mid May but would like to solve it before then if possible.

Any help gratefully received.

Thanks Carl

 

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2018 #2
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • CSB1960
    CSB1960 Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited April 2018 #3

    Hi [Deleted User User], It's an N3312 according to the plate in the fridge. It's in a 2014 Sprite.

    Many thanks

    Carl

     

  • CSB1960
    CSB1960 Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited April 2018 #4

    N3112 sorry

  • Wacky
    Wacky Forum Participant Posts: 8
    edited April 2018 #5

    I am also having a problem with my Thetford fridge also in a Sprite 2014. Would appreciate and thoughts how to solve the problem.

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited April 2018 #6

    Depends how far you can or want to go...

    Read the manual first and do their checks.

    Any circuit breakers or RCDs tripped in the electrical panels?

    Is the 12V supply turned on and the panel working (this is needed to allow the fridge to wor)k?

    Can you use the panel to select gas and does the fridge cool (trying to work out if the panel is the cause or the fridge pipework - if it cools on gas, it must be the panel or the element) If gas doesn't work, has it ever worked, does the clicking which is gas ignition, stop and heat felt from the fridge ventilator - need to make sure gas is through.

    Is there 240V at the supply socket for the fridge> (CARE)

    Is there 240V at the fridge 240V element? (CARE) 

    With power off, check the resistance of the 240V element (if it's infinite then element is open circuit)?

    Try to narrow the fault especially the panel/circuit board or (more likely?) the element?

    It would be good to get it working on gas first as if it doesn't, you may have 2 problems. 

    Read the manual again and check the fault codes.

  • CSB1960
    CSB1960 Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited April 2018 #7

    Hi Doug,

    I've tried all the RCD/trips and tried it on mains and battery power, the lights all flash, go off and flash again with a couple of minutes. I've tried it on gas, the same happens. It did work on gas before.

    I just rang my local caravan workshop and they say the could look at Mid June!

    Mine doesn't seem to have a fault code showing that I can see.

    I've just tried a mobile repairer and he can come out mid May so a better option. Caravan stuck on the driveway!

  • DougS
    DougS Forum Participant Posts: 327
    edited April 2018 #8

    I'm now at the limit of my expertise.

    From the manual, you seem to have the model with the LED display which doesn't have any display of error codes (a retrograde step from our 2010 model?)

    Sorry to repeat or state the obvious but I'm concerned when you say you've tried it on "battery power" - unless you mean you connected to car with engine running, that wouldn't work?

    As you say the LEDs flash go off and flash again, I'd ask (again, sorry) are you sure the 12V leisure battery is charged and working (you must have 12V to run the circuit board and panel)

    If you were able to check that gas was getting through and any signs of ignition clicking and sparking and/or the resistance of the two elements (all of which needs care and experience - not to be taken on unless you are sure you can do it safely) then I think you will need to go with the service people.

    If all of that is correct and checked then I'm lost and would suspect the circuit board although it would take a full diagnosis of the system including all power sources, elements etc, step by step to get it working on one of them and work from there, unless anyone else can help?

  • CSB1960
    CSB1960 Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited April 2018 #9

    Hi, I tried it on gas again, the gas workers on the cooker but when I tried the fridge all I could hear was clicking and it failed to work again. I've got someone coming to look at it in a couple of weeks but stuck till then.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2018 #10

    As Doug asked, is your leisure battery good? The control panel of the fridge (not the cooling element) is powered by the leisure battery on a permanent live feed but if your battery is flat you will not be able to select the power source for the cooling operation. Sometimes the fridge interior light is also fed from the leisure battery. Is your light working?

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