12 Volt Fridge Woes

JoeMic · 01-19-2021, 10:33 PM

My Furion 12 volt fridge went out 8 weeks ago, and received a GE 12 volt fridge as a replacement today. I think the GE replacements are not much better, had it installed today by the local dealer. Waited the four hours before turning it on like it says in the manual, and guess what. You guessed it it won't turn on, I swear if they tell me tomorrow that I have to wait another 8 weeks for a replacement I'll jump on someone's head. They have me over a barrel, as I am in Quartzsite till March, just as a side note it is still under warranty.

My unit is a 2020 Alpha Wolf 26RL-L

debit · 01-19-2021, 11:11 PM

We always wait 12 to 24 hours before turning a frig on.

..............
Ram 2500 / Surveyor 251rks

chriscowles · 01-19-2021, 11:58 PM

Does that wait apply to newly-installed refrigerators? What is the point?

debit · 01-20-2021, 12:24 AM

I always thought it was required if the unit had been on its side.
Are you plugged to "shore power".
,,,,,,,,,
Ram 2500 / Surveyor 251rks

dalford · 01-20-2021, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debit

I always thought it was required if the unit had been on its side.
Are you plugged to "shore power".
,,,,,,,,,
Ram 2500 / Surveyor 251rks

Yes, that is true. If the unit was always upright or at least upright for 12 hours there should be no issue. If it was laid on its side then there is an issue with the compressor oil getting into the coils. It needs time to drain back to the bottom of the compre.

I just had a new fridge installed at my house. Was plugged in immediately. I’m sure it was never on its side....

JoeMic · 01-20-2021, 12:47 AM

The thing that worries me is the light does not turn on when the fridge door is open, and on the manual it says to wait 4 hours which I did, because when they installed the fridge, it had to be placed on its back to mount the mounting brackets. So do I turn it off and wait, or leave it on.

dalford · 01-20-2021, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeMic

The thing that worries me is the light does not turn on when the fridge door is open, and on the manual it says to wait 4 hours which I did, because when they installed the fridge, it had to be placed on its back to mount the mounting brackets. So do I turn it off and wait, or leave it on.

Well, maybe you are ok. If the light does not turn on it sounds like it is not getting power. Turn it off (may not really be on) and wait 12 hours or so since it was on its side.

You need to find where it is connected to the battery. Sounds like it is not connected or a fuse or circuit breaker is blown. Does it connect thru the dc side of your breaker panel? I would imagine it would have a pretty good sized fuse or breaker.

JoeMic · 01-20-2021, 01:40 AM

The mechanic that installed it said power was getting to it before he installed it. I even checked the fuse on the 12 volt side and swap it with another 15amp fuse. So I assume power is getting to it. I've turned it off and will wait till late morning.

I just want you all to know I appreciate your help.

EddieL · 01-20-2021, 08:01 AM

It sounds like a power issue to me. I would check for power at the refrigerator. If you don't have power there, check the line coming out of the fuse panel. If you have power there then the fun begins, trying to trace the wire to isolate the problem.

Another thought, I've seen posts where someone said the fuse panel wasn't labeled correctly so you might want to check every fuse.

Hope it's that simple.

mac1_131 · 01-20-2021, 08:08 AM

Use a volt meter make darned sure it is getting power.

I thought the wait time and laying on side issue was only for evaporative ammonia refrigerators?

Aren't 12v units regular compressor types?

5picker · 01-20-2021, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mac1_131

Use a volt meter make darned sure it is getting power.

I thought the wait time and laying on side issue was only for evaporative ammonia refrigerators?

Aren't 12v units regular compressor types?

It's a generally accepted practice in the HVAC field, if a compressor driven cooling device is laid on its side, it should stay in the upright position for 24 hours (or as long as it was on its side) before turning on.

Yes, the newer 12v only R/V refrigerators are compressor type.

markb422 · 01-20-2021, 07:10 PM

If it has power you should hear the compressor running?

Jeffjeeptj · 01-27-2021, 06:17 AM

The power problem could be a ground (battery negative pole) issue.

FrankG · 01-27-2021, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffjeeptj

The power problem could be a ground (battery negative pole) issue.

Yep, that was my thought, after reading through a few posts. If it is a wiring Issue (or voltage issue) don't throw away the first refrigerator.

Aspendog · 01-27-2021, 05:25 PM

Make sure the frig is plugged in. Don’t ask how I know to check this first.

**Flybob** · 01-27-2021, 05:40 PM

The waiting has nothing to do with the fridge not turning on. It is simply to let the oil and refrigerant drain back down into the compressor so you don't damage it. Not familiar with the GE product, does it have an off position on the thermostat.

jaudet71 · 04-26-2021, 07:48 PM

If you still have the GE fridge and it works... I got the door latch for mine. RP-1295 latch on Amazon.

jaudet71 · 04-26-2021, 07:51 PM

Perfect fit in the unused hinge bolt holes.

BrandiJo627 · 06-12-2021, 10:25 AM

Do you have a link to the latch on amazon? I've searched and can't seem to find it.

jaudet71 · 06-12-2021, 04:17 PM

I don't currently see it on Amazon. The ebay seller is out too. I do see it at RecPro where I got mine.

Also works to keep the fridge open when storing.

https://www.recpro.com/rv-refrigerator-door-latch/

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