Electrical Really unusual thetford fridge 240v problem

[jazzeddie1234]

Bit of a story so please bear with me.
We are currently set up in the flinders ranges wilpena pound camp ground. Arrived 2 days ago, set up as usual but fridge (thetford n3185) refused to switch over to mains. I had a recent issue with 12v and knew there was a fuse (both 12v and 240v) inconveniently located on the circuit board where its hard to change!
I removed the board, found an intact fuse so cleaned the board and replaced...no 240 operation. While checking the voltages around the board I noticed the 240 was actually 255 which is right on the upper limit of the recommended range. It has been really cold here and by chance I happened to turn on the heater and see the fridge immediatly switch over to mains...heater off, fridge off...you get the picture
So it turns out the fridge must have an overvoltage sense (and probably an under voltage as well).
Since I refuse to use gas in a powered site I now have my really long extension lead connected, my little fan heater running on low and my multimeter plugged in to watch the voltage...
At least I know how to remove and reinstall the fridge control board in under 10 mins

 

[Jimmy1977]

Hi
Just read your post having the same issue was using 240 v on fridge fine for 2 weeks just stopped working switched to gas all good. Do you have to remove the fridgefrom its nook to get to the 3amp 240volt fuse to check. I have a 310.4 thetford. Any info much appreciated.

Jimmy
.

 

[jazzeddie1234]

I was able to access the control board through the lower vent but the fuse is quite difficult to check when it's all connected up. Remember mine was related to too high a supply voltage but most problems relate to the 240v heating element. Also check silly things like the 240v fridge plug /socket has power! Do you have a multimeter?

 

[Jimmy1977]

Hi
Thanks for getting back to me ended up removing the fridge to check the 240v fuse it was all good. I think you are right about the heating element gonna order one tomorrow and change that out next.
Cheers
Jimmy

 

[jazzeddie1234]

I would unplug the element and check the resistance first. At a very rough guess it would be 250 to 300 ohms

 

[Drover]

Thanks @jazzeddie1234 , thats a good bit of info to put into the trouble shooter, I think 255 is above the threshold for 240, I think its somewhere like 250/252 or something, they on Genny out there ?........I owuld certainly be worried about electronics plugged into it............................... I can honestly say Ive not found power that high, well not when Ive checked but often find it in the mid 230 range.........


PS: Had a lookie at some stuff and only in Australia would you find National Regs for 240v power supply to be followed by some states and modified or ignored by others ... what a cluster.

 

[jazzeddie1234]

they on Genny out there ?

Yes. The CP was empty so very minimal load. I can only guess they saved a few bucks on the distribution circuit by cranking up the voltage. I've never seen it that high before