My RM4605 fridge is mostly always on ever since we bought our van and the original 240v element has lasted 10 years before failing a couple of weeks ago. I have always carried a spare of both voltages so I fitted the 240v unit and powered the fridge back up only for it to trip my RCD a half hour later. I disconnected and tested the replacement to find it shorted to earth. Great I thought, off to order another from a well known parts supplier.
The new one arrived quite quickly and I fitted it. I did test it to be sure it was ok before fitting and all was good. I powered it up and hoped all would be good from here. Lo & behold 3/4 of an hour later the same thing happened. The RCD had tripped and so I checked this one and the same thing appeared, short to earth. Contact the supplier and ask for a replacement under warranty. I was advised to contact the makers local agent and they asked for details and evidence of the purchase as expected. A week later I had another new element and checked it before fitting too. I have installed it and powered it up and 24 hours later it is still running. I hope this one keeps going I am getting tired of pulling the fridge out and putting it back in.
I do have to wonder why 2 brand new elements failed as they did and also wonder if there has been a bad batch that is still instock in some places. Obviously I can't get any warranty for the original spare I have carried around for all that time but it would be nice if the maker would admit there was a manufacturing issue and offer to replace that batch with new ones.
End of rant but if anyone who reads has had a similar situation I would be interested to know about your experience.
regards Frank
DeBe said
01:21 PM Mar 24, 2020
Enclosed type elements if stored for long periods absorb moisture, this causes leakage to earth. Run it with out an RCD, they will dry out the insulating powder in side the element.
KFT said
02:50 PM Mar 24, 2020
Thanks DeBe, I had thought of trying that. We used to do it with stove elements to bring the earth leakage up to acceptable levels for an installation test. My megger tells me they a pretty well down to earth though. Seeing as one of them has been replaced under warranty I might give it a go and see what happens.
Thanks
Frank
Dougwe said
08:36 PM Mar 24, 2020
G'day KFC, long time no see mate.
Mate, well done, you are a bright spark being able to fix that yourself.
KFT said
08:48 PM Mar 24, 2020
Gee thanks Doug, all that experience over all those years is paying off maybe.
Hope you are well mate. We are sort of stuck where we are at home so this years trip might be just down the road a little bit.
Hi everyone,
My RM4605 fridge is mostly always on ever since we bought our van and the original 240v element has lasted 10 years before failing a couple of weeks ago.
I have always carried a spare of both voltages so I fitted the 240v unit and powered the fridge back up only for it to trip my RCD a half hour later. I disconnected and tested the replacement to find it shorted to earth. Great I thought, off to order another from a well known parts supplier.
The new one arrived quite quickly and I fitted it. I did test it to be sure it was ok before fitting and all was good. I powered it up and hoped all would be good from here. Lo & behold 3/4 of an hour later the same thing happened. The RCD had tripped and so I checked this one and the same thing appeared, short to earth. Contact the supplier and ask for a replacement under warranty. I was advised to contact the makers local agent and they asked for details and evidence of the purchase as expected. A week later I had another new element and checked it before fitting too. I have installed it and powered it up and 24 hours later it is still running. I hope this one keeps going I am getting tired of pulling the fridge out and putting it back in.
I do have to wonder why 2 brand new elements failed as they did and also wonder if there has been a bad batch that is still instock in some places. Obviously I can't get any warranty for the original spare I have carried around for all that time but it would be nice if the maker would admit there was a manufacturing issue and offer to replace that batch with new ones.
End of rant but if anyone who reads has had a similar situation I would be interested to know about your experience.
regards
Frank
Thanks
Frank
Mate, well done, you are a bright spark being able to fix that yourself.
Hope you are well mate. We are sort of stuck where we are at home so this years trip might be just down the road a little bit.
stay safe mate
KFT