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Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252759] Fri, 20 June 2014 13:06 Go to next message
<rallymaster is currently offline  <rallymaster   United States
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Glenn, just a reminder, the fridge doesn't cool as well on 12 v as it
does on 120VAC or propane.

RonC

On Fri, 20 Jun 2014 11:46:12 -0600 Glenn Whitt
writes:
> I think once I get the 12 volt panel replaced all will be well..just
> figured since the hole was there behind the fridge and the plug wire
> was there I
> would do that to see if it worked...but no luck finding the
> receptacle, so yes I will be leaving it on 12 volts unless that
> fails...lol
> --
> Glenn W
> Topeka, KS
> 1974 GMC 26 ft. Desert Sand
> Side Bath
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Ron & Linda Clark
1978 Eleganza II
North Plains, ORYGUN

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Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252765 is a reply to message #252759] Fri, 20 June 2014 13:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
A Hamilto is currently offline  A Hamilto   United States
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<rallymaster wrote on Fri, 20 June 2014 13:06
Glenn, just a reminder, the fridge doesn't cool as well on 12 v as it does on 120VAC or propane.
RonC
OEM dual-voltage swing-motor compressor fridge cools the same on 12VDC as 120VAC. The compressor is 24V/60Hz and doesn't know or care how or where it gets its power, from either the 5:1 transformer (120VAC) or the built in chopped wave inverter (12VDC).

I think if I had a three-way fridge, I would be tempted to power the 120VAC side from an inverter when going down the road, straight 120VAC shore power when available, and propane when dry camping.
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252768 is a reply to message #252765] Fri, 20 June 2014 14:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
glenn2726 is currently offline  glenn2726   United States
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Well it is cooling....it was 80 degrees inside the fridge, now down to 70 degrees with the thermostat set on 4. So we'll see how it does. Glenn

Glenn W Topeka, KS 1974 GMC 26 ft. Color:Camel Interior:Canyon Land Side Bath, Rear Sitting Area
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252870 is a reply to message #252759] Sat, 21 June 2014 18:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Richard Brown is currently offline  Richard Brown   United States
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I have a 74 Eleganza SE & it has a 120v duplex plug behind the fridge just inside the outdoor access panel on the bottom left. Not sure if mine's an early or late build, but it's there.

 
Richard & Carol Brown

1974 GMC Eleganza SE
1174 Hickory Hills Dr.
Murchison, TX 75778
(903)-469-3197
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Richard & Carol Brown 1974 Eleganza SE 1174 Hickory Hills Dr. Murchison, TX. 75778
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252874 is a reply to message #252759] Sat, 21 June 2014 18:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
<rallymaster is currently offline  <rallymaster   United States
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If that's running on the 12VDC setting, that might be as cold as you can
expect.
They just don't work as well on 12VDC as on LP or 120VAC
RonC

On Sat, 21 Jun 2014 13:47:47 -0600 Glenn Whitt
writes:
> Charger is working, showing 12.42 volts at the fuse panel. However
> the fridge hasn't cooled down below 40 degrees in the freezer
> section, so doesn't
> look good. I turned it down to 4 on the thermostat and still at 40
> in the freezer. Might need some freon...I have a nephew in Texas
> that has a
> heating and air business, might have to visit him later on..lol
> --
> Glenn W
> Topeka, KS
> 1974 GMC 26 ft. Desert Sand
> Side Bath
> _______________________________________________
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Ron & Linda Clark
1978 Eleganza II
North Plains, ORYGUN

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Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252876 is a reply to message #252870] Sat, 21 June 2014 19:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
A Hamilto is currently offline  A Hamilto   United States
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Richard Brown wrote on Sat, 21 June 2014 18:08
I have a 74 Eleganza SE & it has a 120v duplex plug behind the fridge just inside the outdoor access panel on the bottom left. Not sure if mine's an early or late build, but it's there.
 
Richard & Carol Brown

1974 GMC Eleganza SE
1174 Hickory Hills Dr.
Murchison, TX 75778
(903)-469-3197
Three way fridges are treated differently. They use a heating element on either 12VDC or 12VAC, which is not subject to damage by high or low AC line frequency. If the Onan is running fast or slow, the heating element only cares that the voltage is not too high.
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252877 is a reply to message #252870] Sat, 21 June 2014 19:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
emerystora is currently offline  emerystora   United States
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That is the same as my 77 Kingsley and I know its factory installed.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

> On Jun 21, 2014, at 5:08 PM, Richard Brown wrote:
>
> I have a 74 Eleganza SE & it has a 120v duplex plug behind the fridge just inside the outdoor access panel on the bottom left. Not sure if mine's an early or late build, but it's there.
>
>
> Richard & Carol Brown
>
> 1974 GMC Eleganza SE
> 1174 Hickory Hills Dr.
> Murchison, TX 75778
> (903)-469-3197
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252933 is a reply to message #252877] Sun, 22 June 2014 13:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
glenn2726 is currently offline  glenn2726   United States
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Well no place to plug the 120 into has been found except across the hall by the water pump swithch..lol..Anyways today the freezer section was 20 degrees so it is working better than it was on the 12 volts. Will keep an eye on it and let it run a day or so and during that time try and make a connection for it under the bath sink. Anyways it's great to have a working fridge even if it has to be plugged into 120 volts, at least it is cold...lol..Thanks, Glenn

Glenn W Topeka, KS 1974 GMC 26 ft. Color:Camel Interior:Canyon Land Side Bath, Rear Sitting Area
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252937 is a reply to message #252933] Sun, 22 June 2014 14:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
emerystora is currently offline  emerystora   United States
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You can always get a small inverter and wire that to 12 volts and plug your 120v line into the inverter.
Someone has posted earlier which inverter seems to work best. I believe they san a Xantrak (OR Xantrax()

Emery Stora

On Jun 22, 2014, at 12:55 PM, Glenn Whitt wrote:

> Well no place to plug the 120 into has been found except across the hall by the water pump swithch..lol..Anyways today the freezer section was 20
> degrees so it is working better than it was on the 12 volts. Will keep an eye on it and let it run a day or so and during that time try and make a
> connection for it under the bath sink. Anyways it's great to have a working fridge even if it has to be plugged into 120 volts, at least it is
> cold...lol..Thanks, Glenn
> --
> Glenn W
> Topeka, KS
> 1974 GMC 26 ft. Desert Sand
> Side Bath
> _______________________________________________
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Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252939 is a reply to message #252933] Sun, 22 June 2014 14:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
A Hamilto is currently offline  A Hamilto   United States
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glenn2726 wrote on Sun, 22 June 2014 13:55
Well no place to plug the 120 into has been found except across the hall by the water pump swithch..lol..Anyways today the freezer section was 20 degrees so it is working better than it was on the 12 volts. Will keep an eye on it and let it run a day or so and during that time try and make a connection for it under the bath sink. Anyways it's great to have a working fridge even if it has to be plugged into 120 volts, at least it is cold...lol..Thanks, Glenn
Give it 120VAC from the 12VDC connection. Works off battery, shore power, and Onan:
http://www.theinverterstore.com/150-watt-power-inverter.html
http://www.smarthome.com/76519/Velleman-PSI150U-150-Watt-Modified-Sine-Wave-Power-Inverter-12-Volt/p.aspx
http://www.lindelectronics.com/products/inv1215us1m-1206
http://www.invertersrus.com/inv150ps.html
http://www.batterystuff.com/inverters/pure-sine-power-inverters/PST-15S-12A.html
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252946 is a reply to message #252939] Sun, 22 June 2014 15:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
glenn2726 is currently offline  glenn2726   United States
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There's the rub so far...the 12 volt system, until I upgrade that then I feel it's the weak link in the system. Right now using 120 volts the freezer section is freezing in the 30 degree range and the fridge section is about 40 degrees (not as cold as I like my beer...lol ) so I turned it to the 5 setting on the thermostat and will see where it is at. I have to say the temperature in the camper is close to 90 degrees but I did turn the AC on high so should help the fridge cool. Glenn

Glenn W Topeka, KS 1974 GMC 26 ft. Color:Camel Interior:Canyon Land Side Bath, Rear Sitting Area
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252948 is a reply to message #252946] Sun, 22 June 2014 15:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
emerystora is currently offline  emerystora   United States
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30 degrees is way high for a freezer. Your ice cream will melt at 30.
My three way is about 0 in the freezer and 40 in the refrigerator.

Emery Stora


On Jun 22, 2014, at 2:05 PM, Glenn Whitt wrote:

> There's the rub so far...the 12 volt system, until I upgrade that then I feel it's the weak link in the system. Right now using 120 volts the freezer
> section is freezing in the 30 degree range and the fridge section is about 40 degrees (not as cold as I like my beer...lol ) so I turned it to the 5
> setting on the thermostat and will see where it is at. I have to say the temperature in the camper is close to 90 degrees but I did turn the AC on
> high so should help the fridge cool. Glenn
> --
> Glenn W
> Topeka, KS
> 1974 GMC 26 ft. Desert Sand
> Side Bath
> _______________________________________________
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Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252950 is a reply to message #252948] Sun, 22 June 2014 16:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
glenn2726 is currently offline  glenn2726   United States
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LOL..ice cream...there won't be any room for ice cream, will have to put the beer up there...lol

Glenn W Topeka, KS 1974 GMC 26 ft. Color:Camel Interior:Canyon Land Side Bath, Rear Sitting Area
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252980 is a reply to message #252933] Sun, 22 June 2014 22:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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Glenn,

You might want to take a look at the door seal on the fridge. If it is leaking, it will run a lot more than it needs to and never get really cold. My original fridge worked OK, but got progressively worse. It didn't fit in with our desire to do more dry camping, so we replaced it with a three way. I didn't see how bad the door seal was until I pulled it out of it's hole and could get a good look at the edges. I still would have replaced it, but I'm guessing it would have worked a lot better if it hadn't leaked so badly.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252994 is a reply to message #252980] Mon, 23 June 2014 08:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
glenn2726 is currently offline  glenn2726   United States
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Hi Carl, well I checked the fridge yesterday evening and it was down to 15 degrees in freezer and 35 degrees in fridge section, so it is cooling well. I turned it down to 4.5 on thermostat but have yet to check it today. So now I have to get a 120 volt outlet put in on that side of coach. I think I can rob it from the box behind the bathroom sink area. When cleaning the fridge the seals looked ok, but will check to see if it is sweating around them. Thanks, Glenn

Glenn W Topeka, KS 1974 GMC 26 ft. Color:Camel Interior:Canyon Land Side Bath, Rear Sitting Area
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252997 is a reply to message #252994] Mon, 23 June 2014 09:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
powerjon is currently offline  powerjon   United States
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Glenn,
35 in the frig section is a bit cold and you will find that you will freeze your veggies at the bottom, but it does show it is working acceptably. Mine typically at the coldest set point runs about 39 in the frig and a -5 in the freezer. Ice cream needs to be a bit colder than 15 degs and it will be a bit soft. I usually run ours a 4 setting and the frig run right at 41 degs which is what most home units run at and the freezer is at -1 degs. You can put inexpensive temp indicators in your 2 compartments.

or
http://goo.gl/KqpXtU

JR Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
78 GMC Buskirk 30’ Stretch
1975 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

On Jun 23, 2014, at 9:32 AM, Glenn Whitt wrote:

> Hi Carl, well I checked the fridge yesterday evening and it was down to 15 degrees in freezer and 35 degrees in fridge section, so it is cooling well.
> I turned it down to 4.5 on thermostat but have yet to check it today. So now I have to get a 120 volt outlet put in on that side of coach. I think
> I can rob it from the box behind the bathroom sink area. When cleaning the fridge the seals looked ok, but will check to see if it is sweating around
> them. Thanks, Glenn
> --
> Glenn W
> Topeka, KS
> 1974 GMC 26 ft. Desert Sand
> Side Bath
> _______________________________________________
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #252999 is a reply to message #252759] Mon, 23 June 2014 09:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Rick Williams is currently offline  Rick Williams   United States
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Glenn

I think that your order of improvements/repairs should be to get the 12v up to snuff first with a new converter and good house batteries. Then try the frig on 12v. If it works fine then there is no need for 120 volts. But if it still does not work correctly, then there is a problem with the 12v side of the frig. You then must decide whether to fix the frig or do as Emery and others have suggested and add an inverter to run the frig on 120v. My original electric compressor style Norcold frig from a '78 drew 6.25 amps at 12volts. A 100 watt inverter should run the frig. But to make sure, measure the AC power draw with a Kill A Watt or similar device. Here is the manual for a Norcold.
http://www.bdub.net/manuals/norcold.pdf


Rick Williams
Bliss, Michigan
1978 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #253000 is a reply to message #252994] Mon, 23 June 2014 09:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
A Hamilto is currently offline  A Hamilto   United States
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glenn2726 wrote on Mon, 23 June 2014 08:32
Hi Carl, well I checked the fridge yesterday evening and it was down to 15 degrees in freezer and 35 degrees in fridge section, so it is cooling well. I turned it down to 4.5 on thermostat but have yet to check it today. So now I have to get a 120 volt outlet put in on that side of coach. I think I can rob it from the box behind the bathroom sink area. When cleaning the fridge the seals looked ok, but will check to see if it is sweating around them. Thanks, Glenn
This will be the last time I pester you with this.

Do not plug it into a receptacle that could get its power from the Onan.

First, get your converter problems sorted out. Get what you got doing what it is supposed to, or replace it. Then, put the fridge on a 150 - 200 watt full wave or modified wave inverter powered from the converter/house battery. There are only two reasons not to: 1. Inverters are not free. 2. Inverters do not last forever.

Here are the reasons for doing so: 1. If the inverter is efficient, the fridge will use less power on 12VDC than the built-in chopped wave inverter (slower house battery drain). 2. When you run the Onan, even if the frequency is off, the fridge will only see 60 Hz on the inverter (will not damage the compressor). 3. It won't matter if you are driving down the road, or hooked up to shore power or dry camping on battery or running the house on Onan power, the fridge will always be running on its 120VAC input.
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #253004 is a reply to message #252759] Mon, 23 June 2014 10:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
glenn2726 is currently offline  glenn2726   United States
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Plans for now are to get the 12 volt system updated to todays systems and see how the fridge operates. If it still fails to perform on the 12 volt system then I will look into repairs to the system or inverter to handle the system as suggested. The 120 volt system works and would suffice as we don't dry camp and if I used the generator it would only be to exercise it or an emergency for charging batteries and I would turn the fridge and any other newer electronics off when doing so. Haven't had time to check the output frequency of the generator but wouldn't run tv or anything with the generator operating. I appreciate all the help with this fridge since I had no experience with the dual voltage fridges. I now have a better grasp on how it works and for a 40 year old fridge it is performing as well as could be expected...lol Thanks, Glenn

Glenn W Topeka, KS 1974 GMC 26 ft. Color:Camel Interior:Canyon Land Side Bath, Rear Sitting Area
Re: [GMCnet] Refrigerator Not Working [message #253016 is a reply to message #252759] Mon, 23 June 2014 12:56 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
<rallymaster is currently offline  <rallymaster   United States
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Sorry, guys, I missed the part about it being a "swing" system. What
I've been saying only applies to the LP/Electric refrigerators.

RonC (big mouth, poor reader)


On Mon, 23 Jun 2014 09:02:51 -0600 Glenn Whitt
writes:
> Plans for now are to get the 12 volt system updated to todays systems
> and see how the fridge operates. If it still fails to perform on
> the 12 volt
> system then I will look into repairs to the system or inverter to
> handle the system as suggested. The 120 volt system works and would
> suffice as we
> don't dry camp and if I used the generator it would only be to
> exercise it or an emergency for charging batteries and I would turn
> the fridge and any
> other newer electronics off when doing so. Haven't had time to
> check the output frequency of the generator but wouldn't run tv or
> anything with the
> generator operating. I appreciate all the help with this fridge
> since I had no experience with the dual voltage fridges. I now have
> a better grasp
> on how it works and for a 40 year old fridge it is performing as
> well as could be expected...lol Thanks, Glenn
> --
> Glenn W
> Topeka, KS
> 1974 GMC 26 ft. Desert Sand
> Side Bath
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Ron & Linda Clark
1978 Eleganza II
North Plains, ORYGUN

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