Our 2 year old vitrifrigo fridge stopped working about 6 weeks ago . This morning I took it to fridge repair . After checking it had over 12v but dropped to zero as soon as any load was applied . After some searching and replacing fuse . All worked !! We found the two blade type fuse hadnt actually blown . But had Brocken . As soon as any load applied the ~ in fuse would heat up a little and break contact ! Ahh 50c fuse and here I thought I was up for $700 plus fridge repair !! Fuse was free but $75 to fit ! Lol still happy thats all it was . I could have fixed myself ! A little embarrassing but dont care !! Just be aware when things dont work . The fridge turned itself off due to low volts . You couldnt tell without checking with multi meter. What was happening !!
Possum3 said
03:09 PM Apr 6, 2019
Happens often with cheap 12v Blade fuses, I suspect they are of Asian origins. Just checking visually and current flow to earth won't detect faulty ones.
Whenarewethere said
03:22 PM Apr 6, 2019
I had a tiny bit of corrosion between the blade fuse contact. Took quite awhile to find the problem, but once found, it was a reality check. Look for all basics first!
T1 Terry said
03:52 PM Apr 6, 2019
What capacity fuse was it? We found lots of issues with blade fuses for anything more than 15 amps. We also have had issues with the mini ANL fuses melting the holders and a few times the big ANL fuses have done a similar thing.
We have changed to using Midi fuses and holders for under 100 amps and Mega fuses and holders for above 100 amps, no more problems.
T1 Terry
Aus-Kiwi said
09:06 PM Apr 6, 2019
25 amp . Fitted 20 amp. Now it has compressor fridge . Just pointing out to be aware of fuses . If these guys I went to said the compressor was stuffed ? I would have had to pay 10 times more !! Reputable company .http://www.alternategasfridges.com.au/
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Saturday 6th of April 2019 09:08:28 PM
Whenarewethere said
10:06 PM Apr 6, 2019
My fridge uses the standard cable with fuse in the end. Since I was moving it around a bit & plugging it in with an Anderson plug I put a circuit breaker in the back of the fridge.
Warren-Pat_01 said
10:59 PM Apr 6, 2019
Graeme,
They are aluminium & therefore brittle. I've never been happy with them bit I guess they don't take up much room & they are cheap so the car manufacturers use them.
Remember the old saying, mate - KISS. And with multimeters ranging in price from $10, there is no reason why all caravaners shouldn't have one.
Aus-Kiwi said
12:08 AM Apr 7, 2019
Warren . Thats the imbarasing part . I have two or three of them !! Mind you it dropped only under load . The fuse was existing Winebago Explorer . Wasnt corrosion on pins although I can see with high humidity alloy and copper = electrolysis. The ~ part in fuse had come apart on load as heat I. High resistant contact where it should all be one piece . My eyesight is not as good as it used to be ! The fuse looked like new . No burnt parts . Fridge draws 7 to 8 amps at 12v + I guess at some stage there was a few cloudy days and batteries got a little low ? Putting higher amps through circuit ?? Any way fixed . Like oils . Fusses are not just fuses !! Live and learn !!
PeterD said
05:19 PM Apr 7, 2019
Possum3 wrote:
Happens often with cheap 12v Blade fuses, I suspect they are of Asian origins. Just checking visually and current flow to earth won't detect faulty ones.
This happens with many types of fuses, cheap or expensive, not just blade fuses.
Whenarewethere said
05:36 PM Apr 7, 2019
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
The ~ part in fuse had come apart on load as heat I. High resistant contact where it should all be one piece . My eyesight is not as good as it used to be !
Had exactly the same thing years ago with a light globe. It worked for a bit when I turned it on then stopped until it cooled down, didn't take long then back on again.
Whenarewethere said
06:16 PM Apr 7, 2019
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
And with multimeters ranging in price from $10, there is no reason why all caravaners shouldn't have one.
If you can, get a DC clamp meter, brilliant things. 238amps for my starter motor. About up to 100amp for 3 ARB compressors while engine is running. Easy to check current from solar panels etc if you don't have a built in meter or as a double check.
The Kyoritsu 2046R reads down to 0.1amp. https://www.kew-ltd.co.jp/en/products/detail/00036/
Last holiday in the Pilbara I gave someone three 20amp fuses, their fridge fuse had blown & they didn't have any spare fuses of any size. I have about a dozen of each amp size both large & small. They don't take up much room!
Yep thats pretty much what we used . With a resister box to add load . What I am pointing out . A simple fuse that LOOKS fine Was the problem. I usually rely on seeing burnt out fuse to check . Plus the fridge light still came on . But compressor wouldnt start. Its ok to say now what should have been done after diagnosing the fault !! Again a 50c part causing issues !! Happy to pay the $70btw . Was looking & pricing another fridge !!
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Monday 8th of April 2019 09:58:26 AM
Our 2 year old vitrifrigo fridge stopped working about 6 weeks ago . This morning I took it to fridge repair . After checking it had over 12v but dropped to zero as soon as any load was applied . After some searching and replacing fuse . All worked !! We found the two blade type fuse hadnt actually blown . But had Brocken . As soon as any load applied the ~ in fuse would heat up a little and break contact ! Ahh 50c fuse and here I thought I was up for $700 plus fridge repair !! Fuse was free but $75 to fit ! Lol still happy thats all it was . I could have fixed myself ! A little embarrassing but dont care !! Just be aware when things dont work . The fridge turned itself off due to low volts . You couldnt tell without checking with multi meter. What was happening !!
I had a tiny bit of corrosion between the blade fuse contact. Took quite awhile to find the problem, but once found, it was a reality check. Look for all basics first!
We have changed to using Midi fuses and holders for under 100 amps and Mega fuses and holders for above 100 amps, no more problems.
T1 Terry
25 amp . Fitted 20 amp. Now it has compressor fridge . Just pointing out to be aware of fuses . If these guys I went to said the compressor was stuffed ? I would have had to pay 10 times more !! Reputable company .http://www.alternategasfridges.com.au/
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Saturday 6th of April 2019 09:08:28 PM
My fridge uses the standard cable with fuse in the end. Since I was moving it around a bit & plugging it in with an Anderson plug I put a circuit breaker in the back of the fridge.
They are aluminium & therefore brittle. I've never been happy with them bit I guess they don't take up much room & they are cheap so the car manufacturers use them.
Remember the old saying, mate - KISS. And with multimeters ranging in price from $10, there is no reason why all caravaners shouldn't have one.
This happens with many types of fuses, cheap or expensive, not just blade fuses.
Had exactly the same thing years ago with a light globe. It worked for a bit when I turned it on then stopped until it cooled down, didn't take long then back on again.
If you can, get a DC clamp meter, brilliant things. 238amps for my starter motor. About up to 100amp for 3 ARB compressors while engine is running. Easy to check current from solar panels etc if you don't have a built in meter or as a double check.
The Kyoritsu 2046R reads down to 0.1amp. https://www.kew-ltd.co.jp/en/products/detail/00036/
Last holiday in the Pilbara I gave someone three 20amp fuses, their fridge fuse had blown & they didn't have any spare fuses of any size. I have about a dozen of each amp size both large & small. They don't take up much room!
Yep thats pretty much what we used . With a resister box to add load . What I am pointing out . A simple fuse that LOOKS fine
Was the problem. I usually rely on seeing burnt out fuse to check . Plus the fridge light still came on . But compressor wouldnt start. Its ok to say now what should have been done after diagnosing the fault !! Again a 50c part causing issues !! Happy to pay the $70btw . Was looking & pricing another fridge !!
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Monday 8th of April 2019 09:58:26 AM