Thetford fridge not working on 240v (1 Viewer)

Aug 6, 2018
33
17
Funster No
55,403
MH
Swift Kontiki 669
Exp
Since April 2019
Hi All
Our fridge has stopped working on 240v - works fine on gas and 12v. Has anyone else had experience of this? Hope it doesn’t mean a new fridge. It’s a full size Thetford fridge freezer in a Swift Kontiki. Can anyone give me any advice please? Many thanks in advance.
 
Jan 19, 2014
9,322
24,578
Derbyshire
Funster No
29,757
MH
Elddis Accordo 105
Exp
since 2014
If there is no heat, the element has probably come to the end of it's natural life. You can test it with a multimeter ?

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OP
OP
Corrinne
Aug 6, 2018
33
17
Funster No
55,403
MH
Swift Kontiki 669
Exp
Since April 2019
Thanks for the response. Not sure but will check that just as soon as it stops raining. Many thanks.
 
Apr 27, 2008
11,794
13,954
Eastbourne East Sussex
Funster No
2,327
MH
Hymer low profile
Exp
Since 1972
If it works on gas you dont need a new fridge. Possible element burnt out, easily replaceable but check with a meter that power is reaching the fridge,could be something upstream.
 
OP
OP
Corrinne
Aug 6, 2018
33
17
Funster No
55,403
MH
Swift Kontiki 669
Exp
Since April 2019
Many thanks for your advice, that is reassuring. We will get the element tested. Many thanks

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Sep 6, 2019
185
242
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Funster No
63,854
MH
Autotrail Frontier
Exp
since 2015
just had mine fixex (under warranty) dealer said they replaced the element.
should't be too expensive but think the fridge needs to come out to replace it.
good luck
kev.
 
Feb 9, 2008
8,924
18,663
Corby, Northants
Funster No
1,455
MH
Coach Built
Exp
Since 2007
I had the heater element go on mine. It's just a longish tube that slides in above the 12 Volt heating element next to the flue. Took the engineer about 15 minutes to change it. The cost is around £25.00 for the part, plus labour.
 
OP
OP
Corrinne
Aug 6, 2018
33
17
Funster No
55,403
MH
Swift Kontiki 669
Exp
Since April 2019
Thank you all very much for your help. We will get the element tested and let you know the outcome.

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TerryL

LIFE MEMBER
Mar 5, 2010
6,154
8,142
North East
Funster No
10,511
MH
Low Profile
Exp
2009
My fridge put up a code on the control panel that told me the 240v element had failed (it happened with the 12v also within a couple of months!)

There are a couple of fuses but unfortunately I don't think you can get at them without taking the fridge out.

Really quite easy to change, just need to make a note of the connections, electrical and gas, which you should be able to access from the outside lower vent, before taking out the 6 screws on the inside (probably under caps) and sliding the whole unit out. It's quite heavy and you may need some help in lining it up with the hole when you put it back.

Leisureshopdirect usually have them in stock or within a day or two, around £25 if I remember properly.
 

bigtwin

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 29, 2009
5,165
9,792
Derby
Funster No
9,111
MH
Concorde
Exp
Since 2006
You don’t necessarily have to take the fridge out to replace the heating elements. I’ve replaced mine without taking the fridge out and was able to replace the element through the ventilation spaces.

Ian
 
OP
OP
Corrinne
Aug 6, 2018
33
17
Funster No
55,403
MH
Swift Kontiki 669
Exp
Since April 2019
Thank you for your help, that sounds like good news. I have an electrical engineer looking at in this week. Many thanks.

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MisterB

LIFE MEMBER
Feb 25, 2018
5,752
12,799
Essex
Funster No
52,564
MH
Adria 670 SLT
Exp
enough to know i shouldnt touch things i know nothing about ....
You don’t necessarily have to take the fridge out to replace the heating elements. I’ve replaced mine without taking the fridge out and was able to replace the element through the ventilation spaces.

Ian

that sounds like a good plan lol. looks like we are having the same issue re 240v so I will do some 'dismantling' - to those who suggest testing, do i need to remove the element to test it???
 

bigtwin

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 29, 2009
5,165
9,792
Derby
Funster No
9,111
MH
Concorde
Exp
Since 2006
MisterB, No, you don’t, necessarily, need to remove the element to test it; you only need access to the connections.

Assuming that you do, in fact, have a 240V supply going to the element, this would suggest that the element has failed.

To test it, firstly ensure that the 240V supply is isolated. After disconnecting the two wires to the heating element, measure, using a DVM (digital volt meter) the resistance across the two wires. This should be a few hundred ohms. If it is open circuit (infinite resistance) it has failed and needs to be replaced.

Ian
 
OP
OP
Corrinne
Aug 6, 2018
33
17
Funster No
55,403
MH
Swift Kontiki 669
Exp
Since April 2019
Update to my fridge problem for those interested and to help if you have the same problem. As mentioned by many helpful comments above, the fault was a failed 240v element. Purchased a replacement element from leisureshopdirect.com and electrician has fitted it. Needed to take our fridge out to replace the element but now all back up and working. Many thanks again for all your help.

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Nov 4, 2011
5,888
38,113
Uk
Funster No
18,763
MH
A class
Exp
2001
Thanks for update, so many of these post for help just go silent, so other people don’t get to know results.
 

MisterB

LIFE MEMBER
Feb 25, 2018
5,752
12,799
Essex
Funster No
52,564
MH
Adria 670 SLT
Exp
enough to know i shouldnt touch things i know nothing about ....
that sounds like a good plan lol. looks like we are having the same issue re 240v so I will do some 'dismantling' - to those who suggest testing, do i need to remove the element to test it???


Update - I replaced the 240v heating element and its working fine now on 240v. I replaced the 240v heating element and it was simple enough. Hardest part was working out how to remove the black cover. I did it by removing three screws from the top - 2 where the cable for the heating element enters and 1 from the top near where the multi wires enter, then released the two clips - one on each side. I also removed the earth wire assembly as it made it easier to reach the two connections for the 240v heating element, by simply unclipping the connection on the right of the earth assembly.
 

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