Help: Refer switch and fan no longer work

[grantb4]

Re: 2006 Bambi Safari 22'
Fridge: Dometic RM2451

This unit has the two-exterior door/panel setup and one fan behind the top exterior door/panel that has a thermal sensor and an interior red fan switch.

At our last campsite our red fan switch, which has a light in it (always glowed if memory serves) and the fan operated now and then (mostly it was always on).

We moved to a new campsite and now the light in the switch doesn't glow and the fan never turns on, regardless of switch position. I'm curious as to how this is all hooked up, and I can't find a wiring diagram for it. There is 12v and 110v at their respective wiring entry points (wiring terminals at rear base of fridge). Everything in the trailer seems to work (though hot and neutral appear reversed at the campsite ... different thread about that) EXCEPT the fan and the light in the switch. I would be happy to bypass either to see if it helps, but haven't gotten to that point yet. I would like either a diagram or explanation of how they are hooked. Fan/sensor/switch all in series? But then how does the switch get it's light?? All the fuses look OK.

And the lower food section doesn't appear to cool that well, but ice box is ok. I'm keen to get the fan working before I start looking into other issues.

Help!

[uwe]

Originally Posted by grantb4

There is 12v and 110v at their respective wiring entry points (wiring terminals at rear base of fridge). [B]

I doubt that the fan and switch use 12V from the refrigerator. You might want to check voltage to the switch, fan and thermo switch. You need 12V on either the thermo switch or the interior switch for the fan to work. You alo need a good ground. I venture to guess that you have either a blown fuse or a loose connection somewhere by the fan wiring.
Is there anything 12V in the trailer that also quit working?

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by grantb4

Everything in the trailer seems to work (though hot and neutral appear reversed at the campsite ... different thread about that) EXCEPT the fan and the light in the switch.

This is what I would address first. Try a campsite that is wired correctly.

Best of luck,

Vaughan

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by grantb4

Re: 2006 Bambi Safari 22'
Fridge: Dometic RM2451
... At our last campsite our red fan switch, which has a light in it (always glowed if memory serves) and the fan operated now and then (mostly it was always on). ...

The red light on my fan switch only glowed when it it was in the 'on' position, whether the fan was running or not. After about a year the light stopped working, but the fan continued to work. It was still under warranty so they replaced the lighted switch and the thermal switch, which they also said was faulty. If at anytime it should become necessary to replace the fan, you may want to consider doing what several forum members did, replace it with a quieter computer type box fan.

[grantb4]

Well part of the problem solved. Behind the switch was an inline 1A fuse. I replaced that and the fan now works. The indicator bulb inside the switch no longer works, so I may try and source a replacement for the switch. See attached photos.

It's strange about the wiring and I don't get how it's all connected, especially the indicator bulb. There are two red wires and one black. More than one combination with turn the fan on, and none the bulb (assume it's burned out). The switch is SPST with one extra terminal. Again see photos.

My other problem is cooling, but I think it's just a case of reality. I don't have anything in the fridge right now and during the day when it is 105F outside and 90-ish inside, the fridge temp is 50-ish. The ice in the ice box appears to still be ice though, but can't say I've done a thorough investigation of that. I may try and install one of those Universal Cooling Kit things that people here talk about. Approx $40.