Hi , our fridge doesn't get cold. Thermost on max. Freezer part has a light frost.
Yesterday they replaced the heat element. 1100$ and it still doesn't work.
Fridge is 3 month old. Does anybody know what possibly could be wrong?
Caravan is standing level running it on gas or AC doesn't make any difference.

cheers Jos

Hi Jos,
Why did it cost $1100 if the fridge is 3mths old ? How old is the caravan ? How long have you waited for it to cool ? You should not have to turn it up past 5 .Having it flat out can make it worse .
Cheers Doug

Hi Jos,

It may be a problem with the installation of the fridge, not the fridge itself.

Remove the top vent on the outside of the van & check out the "Condenser".

If the condenser is not close to the inside van wall & BELOW the bottom of the vent, it's not installed correctly for optimum performance.

If the condenser is too high the problem may be rectified, however it's rather time consuming & a few handyman skills are required.

There also should be no air gap between the sides of the fridge & the cabinet & a metal deflector at the top of the fridge.

Tar Trekka.

Any day above the ground is a great day.

Warranty? it is only 3 months old

Has it ever been operated in a situation where the van wasn't level?

A friend of mine used to operate his van fridge on all sorts of angles and it finally stopped working.

To get it working again, we removed the fridge and tipped it upside down, then on one side, then on the other and so on.

I don't know the technicalities of this - I just recalled reading years ago of someone doing something similar. Coolant boils? Gets an airlock?

Anyway, the fridge worked perfectly after that and continues to do so.



Cheers.



MIke

I just replaced the 240v element in our RM 2553 at a cost of $134.00 so i would be going back to the repairer and ask them for an itemised account for a start at three monts old i would contact dometic for repair & warranty enquiry and see where that takes you
Regards
Colin

Hi Jos

Since it does not work on any source , it would seem you have a problem in the refigerant section
THAT CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE
Since it is only 3months old,Do not fool around with it[or let anyone else]
You do not say if the van is also only 3months old,if so GO BACK TO VAN DEALER.
HE IS RESPONSIBLE ,BY LAW, TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED
If the van is old then CONTACT DOMETIC direct for repair under warranty

Peter

get it done on warranty

just by the way our fridge an RM2453 stopped working and we only found out last weekend (no we are not away still at home) anyway checked on the nett for a local repairer,(caravan Fridge Repairs) found he is at Minchinbery NSW went op there last Thursday and told the guy my problem.

i said its either a 2553 or 2453, he said both the same except one is 120Ltr the other 150Ltr, a new element is $110 you can replace yourself or bring fridge here and we will do it. I asked him how to get the facia panle off, he showed me, easy a key up the slot out it pops, undo 4 screws and out comes the fridge, you should only need to move it out about 6 to 9 inches, if at all

the element just pulls straight up out of its slot, took me around an hour


whoever charged you $1100 is a thief, as a sparkie myself, that is just outragious, I also be talking to consumer affairs as well

The fridge and van are 3 months old, the previous owner never used it, according the manuals only the first owner can claim warranty.
It is a jayco sterling.

Jos

Hi Jos,

A friend bought a Heritage which was only a few months old & he had no problem with warranty claims until the van was 12 months old.

I think if you check with "Fair Trading" you will find that what is said in the manuals only applies to those who believe it & don't challenge it.

Bit like "all care but no responsibility", means very little when challenged.

Tar Trekka.

Any day above the ground is a great day.