Thetford fridge problem.

[Wizz]

Anyone know of a place in Kent/London that can take a look at a Thetford fridge problem?
The fridge ( 2020 year, N3000 model ) works fine and as expected on EHU and gas, but for some unknown reason has developed a problem whilst on battery.
The fridge panel shows 'Error Code 6'.

 

[GeoffnDee]

Error code 6 = DC high voltage is out of range (lower than 10v or higher than 15v). There may be a 20amp fuse near the starter battery that has blown. (causing lower than 10v)

 

[Wizz]

Error code 6 = DC high voltage is out of range (lower than 10v or higher than 15v). There may be a 20amp fuse near the starter battery that has blown. (causing lower than 10v)

Thanks for your reply.
When you say the starter battery, are you referring to the engine starter battery or the hab battery?
I have taken a look at YouTube and have followed a few tips from clips on it, but haven't got anywhere so far.
Access to my fridge PCB is poor to say the very least.
I must point out that I'm far from the most technically minded, as you may have already guessed.

 

[GeoffnDee]

The fuse I mean is a 20 amp one (not a 50 amp) that could be near the engine starter battery ,(but may be elsewhere). If you have a Schaudt electroblock EBL do you know the model number ?
It is also possible that there is a poor 12v connection at the rear of the fridge that you may be able to check if you remove the lower fridge vent cover
If there is not a Motorhome workshop/mobiIe service near you is there a Caravan workshop near you that may be able to check the wiring connections out for you as the fridge is the same as fitted in a Caravan.
The fridge itself , if faulty , may still be under warranty ?

 

[paddymcc]

Generally you should only run on 12v with the engine on as you will rapidly deplete the habitation battery otherwise.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

What van? Usually, on Ducato cab the fuse will be on a floating loom alongside the starter battery under the panel beneath the passengers foot space. Why it's blown will be the issue
Mike.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Generally you should only run on 12v with the engine on as you will rapidly deplete the habitation battery otherwise.

Most, if not all newer vans won't run on battery only without the engine running, AFAIK.
Mike.

 

[Wizz]

The fuse I mean is a 20 amp one (not a 50 amp) that could be near the engine starter battery ,(but may be elsewhere). If you have a Schaudt electroblock EBL do you know the model number ?
It is also possible that there is a poor 12v connection at the rear of the fridge that you may be able to check if you remove the lower fridge vent cover
If there is not a Motorhome workshop/mobiIe service near you is there a Caravan workshop near you that may be able to check the wiring connections out for you as the fridge is the same as fitted in a Caravan.
The fridge itself , if faulty , may still be under warranty ?

The model number is EBL 30 .
I have checked rear of fridge connections, and have removed every fuse in the electroblock, all fuses in tact.
There are a number of workshops I have tried in the Kent county, they either don't touch Thetford fridges, or don't work on motorhomes.
The one place that will investigate cannot do so until mid September.
I have contacted Thetford, and they sent a stock reply stating that they do not assist and that I need to consult a Gas safe engineer, ( for reasons I cannot fathom ).
I'm hoping that it might be only a minor problem that can be easily fixed, but I'm stuck at the moment. I'm prepared to travel further afield if anyone has any ideas .

 

[Wizz]

What van? Usually, on Ducato cab the fuse will be on a floating loom alongside the starter battery under the panel beneath the passengers foot space. Why it's blown will be the issue
Mike.

Its a 2020 Hymer.

 

[Wizz]

Most, if not all newer vans won't run on battery only without the engine running, AFAIK.
Mike.

I have tried it whilst the engine is running, thanks.

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[Mrjenben]

Hymer definitely fit a separate 20a in the starter battery compartment for the fridge feed. It will be clipped in next to the main 50a feed to the EBL.

This fuse also takes the feed from any solar regulator to the starter battery so you may notice the it isn’t being topped up either.

HTH

Cheers
Chris

 

[GeoffnDee]

Have you found a separate 20 amp fuse near the starter battery ? It could also be in a small fuse/relay module marked PLT2 that may be near the EBL .
Is your 2020 Hymer Mercedes based ? as it may be different wiring set up to a Fiat based one.
For repair if you can travel you could try www.reliancecms.uk or www.sunstore.co.uk both have Motorhome repair workshops

 

[Wizz]

Hymer definitely fit a separate 20a in the starter battery compartment for the fridge feed. It will be clipped in next to the main 50a feed to the EBL.

This fuse also takes the feed from any solar regulator to the starter battery so you may notice the it isn’t being topped up either.

HTH

Cheers
Chris
View attachment 636178

Many thanks for this info. I shall take a look and let you know.

 

[Wizz]

Have you found a separate 20 amp fuse near the starter battery ? It could also be in a small fuse/relay module marked PLT2 that may be near the EBL .
Is your 2020 Hymer Mercedes based ? as it may be different wiring set up to a Fiat based one.
For repair if you can travel you could try www.reliancecms.uk or www.sunstore.co.uk both have Motorhome repair workshops

Yes, its a Mercedes based Hymer. Many thanks for the other repair shop options.

 

[Wizz]

Hymer definitely fit a separate 20a in the starter battery compartment for the fridge feed. It will be clipped in next to the main 50a feed to the EBL.

This fuse also takes the feed from any solar regulator to the starter battery so you may notice the it isn’t being topped up either.

HTH

Cheers
Chris
View attachment 636178

Solar all appears in order to me...

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[paddymcc]

Solar all appears in order to me...

The reference to the 20A fridge fuse by the starter battery is that the wire works both ways - trickle charging the starter battery from the solar (a few amps) but supplying 14Aor so to the fridge when the engine is running. So yes you clearly have solar panels that are working from the screenshot but you don't know if that is getting to the starter battery from the solar controller via the EBL. When it's sunny with the engine off if the starter battery voltage is a charging voltage (14v or so) then that wire and fuse are intact .

 

[Wizz]

The reference to the 20A fridge fuse by the starter battery is that the wire works both ways - trickle charging the starter battery from the solar (a few amps) but supplying 14Aor so to the fridge when the engine is running. So yes you clearly have solar panels that are working from the screenshot but you don't know if that is getting to the starter battery from the solar controller via the EBL. When it's sunny with the engine off if the starter battery voltage is a charging voltage (14v or so) then that wire and fuse are intact .

Many thanks for explaining that.
As you can probably tell, I have very little understanding of anything electrical.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Many thanks for explaining that.
As you can probably tell, I have very little understanding of anything electrical.

Not to worry, the " I no nothing".club has a healthy membership
Mike.