Returning from the Perth Caravan Camping Show Saturday afternoon I went down the back shed to put my new goodies in the van. After unlocking the door I was met with the most toxic stench I had ever experienced. My brother standing several meters away described my reaction as being king hit by a length of 4 by 2.
The culprit; my 2 way Waeco Dometic fridge had decided to turn itself off and stay off (plugged into mains). Not preferable considering it was holding a bag of bait prawns, chops, half a bag of ice and some crab bait in the freezer with general odds and sods that we leave in the fridge compartment. The melting ice and disintegration of the bait and chops combined into a fermented ‘soup’ that rolled out through the seals of the freezer down into the fridge and onto the floor. Subsequently my wife and I spent the remainder of Saturday and Sunday in trying to eliminate the perfume by every method we could employ – this in vain when I realized that the ‘soup’ had permeated its way in between the fridge/freezer compartment and into the insulation itself and likely will never ever be eradicated.
As the van is ~15months old I called Jayco, they put me in touch with Waeco. Conversation didn’t do too well at all (it’s out of warranty) and revolved around me initiating (paying for) a report with a contractor for them to review. Have the van booked in for tomorrow; problem is –
· even if the contractor gets the fridge going ok – we will never be able to use it and I don’t want to throw good money after bad (Waeco RPD175 $2250 for a new one without installation and this one was a $800 upgrade already).
· I need to get the fridge out before it destroys everything in my van – but, on my first attempt I discovered it won’t even fit through the door without removing compressors etc.
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I am getting frustrated with the ordeal; does anyone have any ideas???
- Will the normal 3 way fridge Jayco provide as standard fit in the same hole? Will it fit through the door even?
- Have used vinegar, bi-carb soda, bleach, incense, Glen 20, normal toilet spray – can anything on earth remove this stink?
All pretty sad - had some big plans for Easter too.
The culprit; my 2 way Waeco Dometic fridge had decided to turn itself off and stay off (plugged into mains). Not preferable considering it was holding a bag of bait prawns, chops, half a bag of ice and some crab bait in the freezer with general odds and sods that we leave in the fridge compartment. The melting ice and disintegration of the bait and chops combined into a fermented ‘soup’ that rolled out through the seals of the freezer down into the fridge and onto the floor. Subsequently my wife and I spent the remainder of Saturday and Sunday in trying to eliminate the perfume by every method we could employ – this in vain when I realized that the ‘soup’ had permeated its way in between the fridge/freezer compartment and into the insulation itself and likely will never ever be eradicated.
As the van is ~15months old I called Jayco, they put me in touch with Waeco. Conversation didn’t do too well at all (it’s out of warranty) and revolved around me initiating (paying for) a report with a contractor for them to review. Have the van booked in for tomorrow; problem is –
· even if the contractor gets the fridge going ok – we will never be able to use it and I don’t want to throw good money after bad (Waeco RPD175 $2250 for a new one without installation and this one was a $800 upgrade already).
· I need to get the fridge out before it destroys everything in my van – but, on my first attempt I discovered it won’t even fit through the door without removing compressors etc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am getting frustrated with the ordeal; does anyone have any ideas???
- Will the normal 3 way fridge Jayco provide as standard fit in the same hole? Will it fit through the door even?
- Have used vinegar, bi-carb soda, bleach, incense, Glen 20, normal toilet spray – can anything on earth remove this stink?
All pretty sad - had some big plans for Easter too.
