Faulty Waeco
Submitted: Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 at 12:25
ThreadID:
53577
Views:
3535
Replies:
9
FollowUps:
9
This Thread has been Archived
pauls
Hi
After approx 4 years of no problems my Waeco CF 50 fridge started playing up on our Xmas trip. The symptoms are:-
1. The fridge works fine when the vehicle motor is going and the auxillary battery is producing plenty of current. However after the vehicle has been stopped a few hours and the voltage at the socket has dropped to 12.1 volts the fridge won't operate. It seems to be trying to start then it cuts out. I have always had the cut out switch set to "low" and in the past have operated where necessary on lower voltages than 12v.
2. I also noticed that the light in the fridge comes on if the the lid is raised even if the fridge is turned off, providing the plug is in the socket. I cannot remember if this is normal as i don't usually have the fridge switched off when in the vehicle.
3. Also the light in the fridge seems really hot. I can hardly touch it. Just to get
home on our trip I jammed the light switch to off so I didn't do any damage.
As we were in southern qld for 3 weeks and travelled back north we encountered heaps of rain on our trip and I don't know if it was a co-incidence but I had to re-set the vehicle clock and re-install the security number on the Radio / CD on the trip for no apparent reason.
There would not appear to be any problem with voltage reduction at the socket.
Has anybody any ideas ?
Reply By: Robnicko - Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 at 12:37
Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 at 12:37
1. fridge turned off but still plugged into socket = light will still come on if lid opened > normal.
2. Light very hot = light not turning off when lid closed.
Check the lid stricker wheer it oushes the light switch. Could be worn out. Waeco have changed the light switch on later models to a tapered switch that does not eat into the lid striker area.
3. Voltage 12.1 after a couple of hours at socket.
Check voltage at battery, should be slightly higher on battery terminals. Signifigant increase would be wiring problem somewhere.
Check battery with hydrometer to get a proper indication of battery state.
Hope this helps
Rob
AnswerID:
282062
Follow Up By: Wizard1 - Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 at 12:58
Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 at 12:58
The Light. It is always hot as you will find the "off button" doesn't actually turn it off as the assembly gets pushed down too far so the light stays on ALL the time. I disconnected the light.
We had a similar voltage drop problem before xmas when hooked up in the car and running off the second battery. Checked the voltage at the battery and the socket (outlet). Down to 12.1 V.
Took the car to Battery World to get the battery checked and maybe replaced. Ran a voltage and capacity
check. Nothing wrong apart from a loose terminal clamp which was causing the voltage drop. Tightened the terminal all good since.
FollowupID:
546567
Follow Up By: pauls - Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 at 20:36
Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 at 20:36
Thanks for your response.
I don't think I have a wiring problem as the voltage of the battery is consistent with the voltage at the fridge, and I have checked the battery with a hydrometer. However, I will look at the catch for the light on the lid as I agree it is obviously not turning it off.
Paul
FollowupID:
546635
Follow Up By: pauls - Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 at 20:37
Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 at 20:37
Thanks for your response.
I don't think I have a wiring problem as the voltage of the battery is consistent with the voltage at the fridge, and I have checked the battery with a hydrometer. However, I will look at the catch for the light on the lid as I agree it is obviously not turning it off.
Paul
FollowupID:
546636
Reply By: Phillipn - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 10:29
Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 10:29
My Waeco 50 litre had the error light blinking and would not function. I had it tested at a Waeco repair place. Their was no voltage loss to the fridge, with and without a load.
The problem was the fuse inside the unit. They showed me the fuse that is in the units from new and replaced it with a heaver one.
The smaller fuse is OK in cooler
places like Germany where they are made, but in warmer countries like Australia they need to have the larger fuse installed.
I am quoting what they told me.
AnswerID:
282233
Follow Up By: pauls - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 15:39
Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 15:39
Hi
Where is the fuse and what amp fuse should we be using?
Thanks
Paul
FollowupID:
546776
Follow Up By: Phillipn - Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 21:01
Friday, Jan 18, 2008 at 21:01
It`s inside the unit and can only be done by waeco people while under warranty. I don`t know what amps it is.
FollowupID:
546860