ANY FRIDGE ENGINEERS IN THE UK WHO CAN DIAGNOSE AND OR FIX AN ENGEL 12V/24V 40L FRIDGE

[bizzle-dip]

I'm in the SW and searching for an engineer familiar with these Engels to take a look at mine.

The compressor runs, it cools, but the fan won't run alongside the compressor - so I replaced the fan - still no luck. Gas-tested with a detector pen all around and inside the unit when on / up to cold temp and running nicely etc. Doesn't appear to be leaking gas - and multi-meter shows everything electrical is happy to the fan, so seems logical to be more of an issue relating to a fault not telling the fan to operate, or perhaps a thermostat weirdy..? Of course open to all other ideas!

Wiring and terminals looks secure / sturdy - all clean inside the unit including around the refrigeration coils etc. There was some (not heaps) of lint and fluff in there upon first opening, so could have been an averheat / fault thermostat issue affecting the fan? Although from the small amount of lint found I'm more inclined to think the Fan wasn't ever running when I bought it (unbeknown to me - second hand purchase 8 or so years ago) and that it just took years for the issue to show up / be recognised from me?

Running it on 240v in the house - had been doing so for 4 years (4 years on 12v permanently before that - no hiccups whatsoever.) Then very recently noticed the inside of unit wasn't running as efficiently as had been, not as cool / certain sides warmer than others - noticed this a couple days and then third or so day unit was doing strange cycling on and off sound - opened it to find it warm inside - no coolant working atall.

So stopped running it so not to cause the unit any more damage - checked fuses, replaced the fan upon realising that wasn't working - and really hoping can find someone in the know to diagnose whether an issue worth investing in repairing or whether end of its road (really hoping not the latter since the compressor /motor works beautifully still.) It now runs to cool without that cycling issue - but of course I do not want to run it until diagnosed the issue, in case causes further damage beyond repair, especially without the fan.

Sorry for the essay - figured the more info the better for people to decide if something within their experiences and capabilities or not - would obviously organise the travel, dependent on where folks are based.

All and any info gratefully received - thank you!


Lizzie

P.s. Thought you'd all giggle - the discovery day of the ruined warm food was of COURSE Chrristmas Eve - it housed the Turkey, Gammon and some nice beef cuts for the visiting family the following day - no stress or Effs and Jeffs AT ALL - I PROMISE....

Brought me right back to the off-grid days - these things only go wrong on holidays, stormy late Sunday nights and when you've no phone signal eh....

Happy boating to you all!

 

[lustyd]

May just need a new control board. Is it a danfoss / secop compressor (most are)? Any fridge engineer should be a leto diagnose, all compressor fridges work in the same way.

 

[lustyd]

Clarks adventure on Youtube has some excellent fridge troubleshooting videos. Just bear in mind if you’re not fgas certified you’re not allowed to play with the gases any more in most civilised countries (and America coming soon!)

 

[noelex]

May just need a new control board. Is it a danfoss / secop compressor (most are)? Any fridge engineer should be a leto diagnose, all compressor fridges work in the same way.

Engel fridges use a very unique compessor. The Sawafuji Swing Motor.

It is normally reliable, but many of the troubleshooting guidelines for the more common Danfoss/ Secop compressors do not apply.

 

[bizzle-dip]

Clarks adventure on Youtube has some excellent fridge troubleshooting videos. Just bear in mind if you’re not fgas certified you’re not allowed to play with the gases any more in most civilised countries (and America coming soon!)

Thank you - yes had come across his great videos (and followed his how to re: the fan replacement) but definitely don't have the necessary knowledge to open up the control board or go anywhere near the gases. So looking to pay someone who is. Thank you

 

[bizzle-dip]

Engel fridges use a very unique compessor. The Sawafuji Swing Motor.

It is normally reliable, but many of the troubleshooting guidelines for the more common Danfoss/ Secop compressors do not apply.

This is the trouble!
It's more than likely (I believe) to be a control board issue or electrical one than the motor itself - which runs beautifully - no knocks / noises etc.

Just the Comms to the fan - that's where the issue lies.

 

[Neeves]

If you are still looking for support......

Vyv Cox' son, Owen, is a fridge engineer. I have no idea if he might be sensible travelling distance from you. Owen was an active member but might have had his wings clipped as a result of mixing membership and a business with marine clientele..

Maybe send Vyv a PM.

I note you are a new member, welcome, and there might be a restriction on permission to send a PM until you have made a specific number of posts (so send me a reply to get your numbers up). I vaguely recall the number of posts was 5 - but I might be wrong.

Jonathan

 

[MontyMariner]

If it's anything like this one, there are several fuses to check.
https://manuals.plus/engel/mt60f-u1-c-ac-dc-combi-fridge-freezer-manual#wiring_diagram

 

[andyjcox1]

Hi Nauticool based in Poole can help with Engels fridges if still needed.

 

[PaulRainbow]

If you are still looking for support......

Vyv Cox' son, Owen, is a fridge engineer. I have no idea if he might be sensible travelling distance from you. Owen was an active member but might have had his wings clipped as a result of mixing membership and a business with marine clientele..

Seriously ?

That's nonsense.

 

[Neeves]

Seriously - you don't know what you are talking about.

The owner of Viking had his wings clipped, he no longer posts. A director of Knox anchor is no longer active, was our Galvanising guru and is the editor of Scots cruising guides. andycox appears to run a business 'focussed at Engels' - YBW would be a good location to promote such a business - so why has he only made a post roughly once a month.

Some people may want to keep membership and take the rules seriously thus self clipped wings

Jonathan

 

[vyv_cox]

Seriously ?

That's nonsense.

Unfortunately it is true. Owen posted genuine assistance to users of his products but was accused of promoting the company. He was threatened that he and any family members, i.e. me, would be banned permanently. So he refrained from posting.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Unfortunately it is true. Owen posted genuine assistance to users of his products but was accused of promoting the company. He was threatened that he and any family members, i.e. me, would be banned permanently. So he refrained from posting.

That's outrageous!

 

[Neeves]

No its not outrageous its a rule that you, I and anyone else can object to and go elsewhere. If we don't like the rules, walk.

There is a loss to us, lots of knowledge that cannot be accessed but most of the Forum is invaluable - even in the absence of some expertise. I look at other sailing forum that do allow commercial marine members and think YBW a better vehicle as sometimes its not easy to work out if a member is developing a reputation or is offering genuine, accurate and balanced advise

I get round some of the problems by putting some members on 'ignore' - it salves my righteousness - though I do make a quick look, occasionally, if the thread is something in which I am interested


If I look at your post I note:

quote

Rainbow Marine. Lithium batteries, solar etc Supply or fit. Official Em-trak AIS dealer.

unquote




Jonathan

 

[andyjcox1]

Seriously - you don't know what you are talking about.

The owner of Viking had his wings clipped, he no longer posts. A director of Knox anchor is no longer active, was our Galvanising guru and is the editor of Scots cruising guides. andycox appears to run a business 'focussed at Engels' - YBW would be a good location to promote such a business - so why has he only made a post roughly once a month.

Some people may want to keep membership and take the rules seriously thus self clipped wings

Jonathan

Just to confirm, I don't run a marine business, I just know that the company I mentioned work and fix those fridges through dealings with them on other things.

 

[PaulRainbow]

If I look at your post I note:

quote

Rainbow Marine. Lithium batteries, solar etc Supply or fit. Official Em-trak AIS dealer.

unquote

Jonathan

Perfectly within the rules, thanks all the same.

 

[PaulRainbow]

No its not outrageous its a rule that you, I and anyone else can object to and go elsewhere. If we don't like the rules, walk.


Jonathan

It IS outrageous that they would threaten to ban Vyv if his son posts!

 

[lustyd]

Agree, and also sad that common sense can't be used to differentiate between helpful posts and advertising. I never saw Owen advertise, and neither has Paul but both are very valuable contributors.

 

[Neeves]

Just to confirm, I don't run a marine business, I just know that the company I mentioned work and fix those fridges through dealings with them on other things.

Sorry - my mistake. I do remember when you were active but actually recall you installed diesel heaters, which I found novel (in Australia and HK) and I learnt, from you, what to look our for were I to have need. Sadly or fortunately I'm sticking to Australia whose winter is very much like a Scottish summer (a climate in which I grew up).

Jonathan

 

[Tradewinds]

Ridiculous. Though, for the sake of transparency, I did pick up Mike Pickles (can't remember his forum id) for some fairly blatant promotion of Harbour Marine Services, Southwold in a few of his posts. Which he accepted with grace and didn't hesitate to give me helpful advice via PM. I felt guilty afterwards and wouldn't do it again. I'm grateful for the input Paul Rainbow, Owen/Vyv Cox, Nestaway etc give on this forum. This forum will die with the moderation that goes on.