Guest Iain Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 Hi. I've recently been given an old Sovereign 5 berth caravan to do up. The last remaining problem I have is with the fridge. Regardless of which power source I use, gas, 240V or 12V it doesn't work. It was working when the previous owner last used the caravan, some 2 to 3 years ago! Any chance this is easily repairable, or am I looking for a replacement? If so, where do you get them? Thanks for reading Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Frank Gordon Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 If all your refrigerator's power sources seem to be operating but the thing just won't cool, you could try the following procedure that sometimes works when a 3-way fridge has been out of action for a long while. Carefully disconnect the fridge and remove it from the caravan. Now turn it upside down and leave it in this position for a couple of days giving it the occasional hard shaking. The logic is that these actions will assist the coolant that will have 'pooled' in the system during the period of non-use to move back through the cooling-tubes at the rear of the fridge. (That assumes that the coolant hasn't actually leaked out of course!) Then put the fridge right way up and connect to a 230V supply (as this will be easiest). If the fridge cools on 230V it will probably cool on gas or 12V too. If the inversion ploy fails, it's likely that repair will not be financially viable, but (as you will have already removed the fridge from the caravan) it would make sense to check this with a specialist. Dometic's website (www.dometic.com) indicates that the current-model fridge to replace an Electrolux 212 is the RM4210. This could be obtained via caravan dealers or a distributor like Caravan Accessories (CAK) Ltd (Tel: 0870 757 2324) and you should anticipate a price of around £400. This is a lot of bucks to spend on an elderly caravan, so an alternative might be to source a second-hand fridge from a breaker (see www.caravanninglinks.co.uk/caravanbreakers.htm) If you do choose this route, make sure you get a warranty - there's no point swapping one duff fridge for another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Iain Posted April 1, 2005 Share Posted April 1, 2005 Thanks for all the advise. Took the fridge out this evening. Took about 20 minutes. Turned it over 'till the trickling stopped and then turned it back. Repeated this three or four times. Waited and hour and then reconnected the 240V power and..... Success. Cooling down nicely when I checked 5 minutes ago. So many thanks to everyone for you help. I now have a caravan that will be worth getting a towbar fitted for, although the towbar will cost more than the caravan did!!!! The kids 11,9 and 6 months are really excited about the idea of going away in it now. I have to admit, so am I. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tammy Posted April 12, 2005 Share Posted April 12, 2005 Hi Iain I have just read your post with interest as we are having exactly the same problem with our electrolux 212b no matter what power source we use it will not work,someone suggested making sure the van was level it is still doesn't work ,so we've worked out how to take the fridge out going to do it tomorrow whilst kids are at school then we'll try this method hopefully it will work or we will have a big gap in our caravan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Iain Posted April 12, 2005 Share Posted April 12, 2005 Hi Tammy I had to give the fridge a 'twirl' a couple of times, and it still stopped working after a couple of hours. You do have to have the fridge level for it to work properly. I've now moved my caravan and levelled it properly, and the fridge has been running perfectly for 4 days. I've taken to keeping a supply of beer in there for when I'm 'working on the caravan...' Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tammy Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Hi Iain we have a friend who is an electrician and he had a look last night and told us that the thermostat is totally kaput so we're now looking for a replacement. thanks tammy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Frank Gordon Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Tammy: The thermostat on your fridge may well be defective (as your electrician friend says), but, when running on 12V, an Electrolux 212b won't be under thermostatic control. So, on 12V, even with a wonky thermostat, it would be reasonable to expect the thing to cool unless there is another problem preventing it. The 'upside-down' trick is normally only needed if a fridge has been unused for some time - if a caravan has been stored for the winter months for example. These older 3-way models are not designed to be tilt-tolerant and, as Iain discovered, can be be very uncooperative if not accurately levelled. Best of luck - let us know the verdict. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tammy Posted April 13, 2005 Share Posted April 13, 2005 Hi Frank we have tried the fridge on all 3 power supplies gas/12v/240v and it makes no difference so our friend thinks that there is an underlying problem which has caused the thermostat to go hence us getting a replacement fridge. we have found one exactly the same on ebay so hopefully we'll get it. thanks for responding tammy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brian Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Note your situations with interest. We have a 212b fridge that works on gas but not electric 240v someone suggested getting an element and dealer wants to know wattage can you advise it should be on cable going from switch to element at rear but does not show on ours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nigel Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 Hi Guys, I have the same fridge and it only works on GAS. It starts to cool after an hr? Nowt on electric??!! Does it sound terminal? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest George Posted June 29, 2005 Share Posted June 29, 2005 212Bs seem to be very popular! Mine's in a T25 VW and has never worked although the previous owner said he used it infrequently. I would be very happy just to get it to light up, but can't seem to get a flame through the viewing window. Also, have no idea how to get the thing out, as it's very tightly fitted into the kitchen units. Any hints? Would love to get it out and examine it. Doeasn't cool on electric either, be it 12v or 240v. Should I expect it to make a noise when turned on? George. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nigel Posted June 29, 2005 Share Posted June 29, 2005 There's no noise. Probably due to their design and purpose. However, I now have battery (12v) and Gas systems working. The 12v was due to a bad earth. When working, if turned on, the van lights dim a tad as the extra battery load is added. That and the fact that it cools -eventually are the clues I have. Remember that the car has to be connected and running. It's worth checking the 12S socket for power feed and earth if appropriate? Mine earths through the caravan but I may change it to pin 7 like later ones. Good luck, N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KIRK Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 I'M TRAVELLING ROUND EUROPE AT THE MOMENT AND USING THE 212B FRIDGE ON HOOK UP BECAUSE 12VOLT DOESN'T SEEM TO WORK, I WOULD LIKE TO USE THE GAS BUT AM RELUCTANT TO BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE IF IT WOULD LIGHT AND WITH OUT BEING ABLE TO SEE A FLAME I DONT WANT TO RISK IT.SO DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET A MANUAL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest joe sullivan Posted August 11, 2005 Share Posted August 11, 2005 Hi Our electrolux 212b is not working and i am looking for a new one in Ireland and there seems to be none in the website and can you help. I am from Dublin and would be appreciate if you can give me the address in ireland to get the new one. many thanks Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brian Posted August 11, 2005 Share Posted August 11, 2005 Buckley caravans mallow co.cork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jennifer byrne Posted November 16, 2005 Share Posted November 16, 2005 Hello Brian Our 212B fridge works on gas but not electric so we require heating element where can we obtain , and what are part no.? Caravan is in France so we will have to fit ourselves. Any info. will be helpful Jenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.