- Feb 9, 2008
- 4,086
- 5,902
- Funster No
- 1,453
- MH
- LP Coachbuilt
- Exp
- Since 2008 after caravanning for 20 years
After suffering 230v cooling failure in France back in June, decided to do something about it. The panel was showing error '1' and the fridge would still run on 12v and gas quite happily.
Went to a dealer only 50 miles away for them to look at it. After two and a half hours they reported that it was either 5A fuse failure, AC heating element failure, or power board failure. I was a bit annoyed as this info was available in the manual and I had told them the same thing over the phone. Had to leave it at that as we were on starting a trip.
Four weeks later gets home after speaking to a guy on a site who said 'It's the AC element, easy to change'. This afternoon decided to tackle the job, fridge came out easy enough, disconnect 12v, 220c and gas, six screws and slide it out, though there were only three screws, the other three were sheared.
This is where the fun starts, cannot get the element out without removing the insulated shroud round the flue, taking the cover off the power board and then removing the power board in order to disconnect both the 12v and 220v element supplies. Only then can you remove the AC element. All very fiddly operations.
The element has a part number stamped on it, turns out this is the Norcold number, not the Thetford number. After two premium rate phone calls I manage to get the right number and have now ordered the said part.
With the fridge out I can now see where the draught was coming from, all the foam combustion insulation had come away and was lying in a heap at the bottom of the enclosure.
Conclusion, knocked off whilst awaiting the part but glad I did not leave it at the dealers, I reckon they could run up a 3 hour bill for labour, plus parts and v.a.t. and I'll have the satisfaction of knowing the job has been done properly.
Will update when the job is finish. Not a job for the faint hearted.
Rgds
Bill
Went to a dealer only 50 miles away for them to look at it. After two and a half hours they reported that it was either 5A fuse failure, AC heating element failure, or power board failure. I was a bit annoyed as this info was available in the manual and I had told them the same thing over the phone. Had to leave it at that as we were on starting a trip.
Four weeks later gets home after speaking to a guy on a site who said 'It's the AC element, easy to change'. This afternoon decided to tackle the job, fridge came out easy enough, disconnect 12v, 220c and gas, six screws and slide it out, though there were only three screws, the other three were sheared.
This is where the fun starts, cannot get the element out without removing the insulated shroud round the flue, taking the cover off the power board and then removing the power board in order to disconnect both the 12v and 220v element supplies. Only then can you remove the AC element. All very fiddly operations.
The element has a part number stamped on it, turns out this is the Norcold number, not the Thetford number. After two premium rate phone calls I manage to get the right number and have now ordered the said part.
With the fridge out I can now see where the draught was coming from, all the foam combustion insulation had come away and was lying in a heap at the bottom of the enclosure.
Conclusion, knocked off whilst awaiting the part but glad I did not leave it at the dealers, I reckon they could run up a 3 hour bill for labour, plus parts and v.a.t. and I'll have the satisfaction of knowing the job has been done properly.
Will update when the job is finish. Not a job for the faint hearted.
Rgds
Bill