Engel SRBD 047D 12V Fridge - thermostat??

[Richard10002]

I've got the above fridge and its been fine for the 4 years since getting the boat, and was probably fitted in 2001 when the boat was built.

 

In November or so, it started running continuously, wherever the thermostat knob was positioned, (if I click it below zero, it turns the fridge off. I'm not sure whether its getting cold or not when it's running... it seems to be, but it doesnt freeze a part empty bottle of Vimto, whereas previously it would.

 

I'm guessing there could be an issue with the thermostat itself, or possibly the refrigerant. I've tried to find a replacement thermostat online, but cant find anyone who seems to have one available. It's obviously an old fridge, so perhaps spares are no longer available?

 

Any pointers welcomed... I'm sure someone will do a different search to me and find one straight away

 

Many thanks

 

 

[Iain_S]

If it doesn't freeze a bottle of Vimto, and it used to; then it isn't as cold as it was, so it may be that the thermostat is still doing its job. (OTOH, it should cycle if set to a higher temperature than usual)

 

How hard is it to remove the fridge? Might be an idea to take it out, invert it, and leave for 24 hours before putting it the right way up and re-installing. Don't ask me exactly how this works, but it seems to in many cases!

 

Also a chance to clean the crud and fluff from the heat exchanger coil and from behind the fridge.

[Tony Brooks]

I would suggest that if its running continuously then it should freeze almost everything. This suggests to me that it is likely to be something like a lack of gas rather than a thermostat fault.

[WotEver]

As Tony says, if it's running continuously then it should be very very cold. If it isn't then it's either lost gas or the compressor is faulty. Nothing to do with the thermostat.

 

Tony

[Richard10002]

OK.. with a bit more time, and no dogs in the way, I've removed the fridge from its' surround, and the back end seems clean, clear, and with good airflow... there is a computer type fan which is running. In the absence of a thermometer, I've put the CO alarm in the ice box bit as it has a temperature facility.

With the fridge on, and the thermostat set at full, the ice box gets down to 1C. I've also found that the thermostat knob can be revolved to make the fridge cut out before it turns it off, and I can set it so that the compressor isnt running, but it starts running a few minutes later as the temp rises, (I guess). However, once it's running, it doesnt stop, even if the temp falls a bit. With the thermostat on 1, of a 0-4 dial, the ice box gets down to 4C.

I'm guessing it's a gas issue, rather than a thermostat issue, but I cant see anywhere where the gas can be topped up - do they have to break the copper pipe, fill it, then weld it back together?

It all seems to be copper pipe.. cant see any evidence of aluminium.

These are pics of where the pipes join the heat exchanger framework on the back of the fridge, which seems to be copper pipe covered in plastic? One of the joins is a bit rough, but I dont really know what I'm looking for.

Presumably any fridge specialist could check and fill it?

[Iain_S]

I'm not sure, but I'm fairly sure the pipe is cut, fridge gassed, and pipe re-sealed.

 

Have you tried the inversion trick? Nothing to lose!

[Tony Brooks]

I think the second photo is where it is done and as Ian says the pipe may be cut and when down the cut brazed/silver soldered up. It is NOT something that you can do yourself and there are very strict rules about the way the gas is extracted, handled and disposed of. Also some gas types are no longer allowed so your fridge may turn out to be scrap. In any case you need to consult a fridge engineer about this.

[adrianh]

Before you contact a fridge engineer have a look at the label on the unit , it should give the gas type as an R number. Older types are no longer legally refilled or available so check with the engineer. If you have to update the whole system it is probaly cheaper to buy a new fridge. Fridge thermostat replacements are made by Ranco and can be bought from many suppliers once you have worked out which one you need. Fitting them can be difficult as the sensor may need to be threaded through the insulation

.

[Richard10002]

I'm leaning towards new.... lots of scope for repairs not working or not satisfactory.

 

I'm liking the look of the Isotherm Cruise 49 £540 Ely Chandlers.

 

Its the only one I can find the same size so a straight swaps. There are also the Waeco CR50 at £450, or Webasto CR49 at £460, but both would require me creating an extra half to one centimetre of height... not impossible, but every chance of me making an unsightly mess

 

(I'll give the upside down solution a go before anything else )

Edited April 3, 2016 by Richard10002

[Jack48]

Have a look at MPS Trading in East Sussex, best Engel knowledge we've had dealings with.

Any thoughts on new fridge consider a chest fridge / freezer on a slider, every time you open an upright the heat exchange is massive, loads more power needed, where as a chest looses almost nothing of it's cold temperature when open.

[Richard10002]

Have a look at MPS Trading in East Sussex, best Engel knowledge we've had dealings with.

Any thoughts on new fridge consider a chest fridge / freezer on a slider, every time you open an upright the heat exchange is massive, loads more power needed, where as a chest looses almost nothing of it's cold temperature when open.

 

emailed MPS asking for a suggested fridge engineer near me, (M32), and if they can supply a thermostat.

 

Like the idea of a sliding chest but they seem to be expensive, and may be a bit awkward - power isnt necessarily an issue, compared to minimising awkwardness, but I'll be thinking about it.

[Tony Brooks]

(I'll give the upside down solution a go before anything else )

 

If you mean what I think you mean then its a sure fire way of destroying a compressor fridge. Only try it on absorption/gas fridges.

[smileypete]

^^^

This

[Richard10002]

OK... I won't invert it... Thanks

[cuthound]

Depending on the type of refridgerant, replacement gases which are more environmentally friendly are available, however they sometimes reduce ultimate cooling performance, not usually an issue in domestic fridges.

 

They are put into the existing forget pipework using a "line tap valve", which has pierces and seals against the extant pipe and has a schrader type valve on top.

 

Best to establish the refridgerant gas used and then talk to a fridge engineer to get a idea of cost.