12v Fridge Element

[SteveW]

My 3 way Dometic RM4605 fridge is not working on 12v. I've checked the resistance across the disconnected wires of the element - 0.0 resistance. Also, with the engine running, a check of the voltage at the 12v feed (connected) shows 8 volts while other points on the vehicle are showing 13v+.

Í'm no expert but does that mean the element is shorting out somewhere early along the line?

[BruceS]

Bad connection? Work your way back until you get the full Volts.
Try the fuse holder first.
Possibly the element is fried & did some damage to the fuse holder on it's way 'out'.

[SteveW]

I get full volts when the 12v feed is is disconnected from the element.

[oldtrack123]

I get full volts when the 12v feed is is disconnected from the element.

Hi Steve
You have a high resistance Joint /connection
Test by working back from the fridge element ,checking the voltage from pos to neg at each accessible point
When the voltage jumps back to 12V+ the problem lies between that point &the immediate previous low voltage point

OR an element with A DEAD short circuit, the element should have some resistance not 0.0 ohms
find the element Watts & divide by12= the ohms you should get with the element disconnected
Expect somewhere between 0.75 & 1.2ohms depending on model

But that should either blow a fuse or heat the feed cables.
You have not given fridge Model number ,always a good idea when seeking advice

PeterQ

[TigerMK1]

If you find out the 12V element is fried, the best option is to Google a heating element supplier near you. Dam sight cheaper and will last a lifetime. I used Electroheat P/L in downtown Underwood Brisbane last time. I also used them to make a 240V element to plug into our gas hot water system. Very good work, guarenteed for 30 years and good price. The fridge places want heaps more and give 6 months guarentee.

[Dot]

Steve you are still under warranty, make that lot fix it or tell them to have the whole thing back, you have had too much el crapo from that mob..

[SteveW]

Thanks Tiger, I will go for reliability down the track.

You are right, Dot. It is under warranty. The first response was that their service department is booked up to June 4th. After a suitable indignant response on my part, they'll see if they can look at it in the next couple of weeks. I've since spoken to the main man and been promised a phone call. We'll see.

Now that I am satisfied that it is almost certainly the element and not another part of the vehicle, I can go to any number of places that can do a warranty job on the Dometic product.

[oldtrack123]

Now that I am satisfied that it is almost certainly the element and not another part of the vehicle, I can go to any number of places that can do a warranty job on the Dometic product.

Hi Steve
What tests have you done,other than those posted by you ,that satifies you it is the element & not part of the vehicle wiring???

The No load test of 12V< does not prove anything!!!!

PeterQ

[SteveW]

No resistance at all across the leads of the element - disconnected from the fridge. I am not expert on this, but I think there should be resistance.

[oldtrack123]

No resistance at all across the leads of the element - disconnected from the fridge. I am not expert on this, but I think there should be resistance.

Hi Steve
Things seem to be a little confused
Are you saying that when you measure the element resistance with the OHMmeter
[ no wires connected to it] it reads a high number of OHMS [in excess of say 2 Ohms ]Or does the meter read Zero Ohms[ the same as when you join the meter leads to gether to check it's operation]??/

You say with the element connected the voltage @the element drops from 12V < down to 8V

That indicates the element is not open circuited ,it is drawing current.to cause that voltage drop
It is either drawing excess current [partial short circuit ]'Or you have a wiring problem.
Does the element develop ANY heat after say 20minutes ?
HAs the 12V ever worked ok ?



PeterQ