
Insurance Discount Campsite Offers All offers UK Sites French Sites European Sites Map Search Text Search Near your Location Popular Searches Leave a Review My Saved Sites Add a New Site All Sections Caravanning Camping Tent Talk Motorhomes Trailer Tents Backpacking Equipment Statics UK Campsites Camping Abroad General Chat News More Sections Latest Posts All Adverts Tents for Sale Caravans for Sale Motorhomes for Sale Equipment for Sale Post an Advert Campsite Jobs All Categories Caravanning Advice Caravan Equipment Tents and Camping Motorhomes Towing and Towcars Equipment Furniture and Cooking Electrical / Gas Shows and Events General More Categories Join for Free Log In

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance

Topic: Thetford Refrigerator Tripping Electric

Post Reply

mackney

22/3/2010 at 3:41pm
Location: Derby
Outfit: VW Campervan & Base Seconds XL

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/4/2008

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 166
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Hello everyone,

I'm really looking forward to this season and have fetched my Abbey from storage :)

I performed a couple of quick tests (Gas, 12v system, heater etc) and found that when I turned the fridge to 230v the main fuse box trips everytime.

Does anyone have any basic suggestions for me to start to explore? It 'seems' to run OK on 12v.

The fridge is:
Thetford Dometic Refrigerator with ICE freezer 12v/230v/GAS

Thanks for any help in advance :)

Richard

michael

22/3/2010 at 3:43pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 23517

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

sounds like the element is shorting out and may need replacing,providing all connections are made good. look here

http://www.gasrefrigeration.net/dometic_manuals.htm

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

cliffbrown

22/3/2010 at 4:15pm
Location: chesterfield
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SI

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/7/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1602

Site Reviews Total:	6

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Yep I second that the 240v heater, it has two heaters one for 12v and one for 240v.

mackney

22/3/2010 at 4:50pm
Location: Derby
Outfit: VW Campervan & Base Seconds XL

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/4/2008

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 166
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Thanks for your quick responses! I'll check out the link.

On a side note - could it be possible to make a fridge trip out from a neighbouring heater being on high and overheating the fridge? The only reason I mention this is because before it tripped the heater was pumping out heat to warm the van and I have never set it to 2000W before.

Thanks
Richard

cliffbrown

22/3/2010 at 4:57pm
Location: chesterfield
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SI

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/7/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1602

Site Reviews Total:	6

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

have you tried it again without the heater?

mackney

22/3/2010 at 5:08pm
Location: Derby
Outfit: VW Campervan & Base Seconds XL

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/4/2008

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 166
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

It's the first thing I'm going to try when I get home tonight :)

Which, I know will answer at least one of my questions! ;)

Thanks
Richard

arc systems

22/3/2010 at 6:18pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: http: www.arcsystems.biz

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/12/2003

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4375

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

The element is most likely damp, running the fridge on gas for a few days usually dries it out and it will then work ok

michael

22/3/2010 at 8:17pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 23517

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

see if it has tripped out on the box with all on,you may be trying to use too much electric and tripping out.if we put our heater on 2000 and have tv ,fridge and water heater on,ours will trip out.if we have hot water and heating on we do not try to boil a kettle,just a thought. i dont bother it saves me going for a warden to switch on the outside post.

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

mackney

24/3/2010 at 11:32am
Location: Derby
Outfit: VW Campervan & Base Seconds XL

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/4/2008

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 166
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Hi Michael, I've tested the load, that's OK, it trips with nothing else on at all.

Hi Gary, thanks for this suggestion, it's now on gas for a few days and I've got my fingers (and toes) crossed.

Richard

michael

24/3/2010 at 11:50am
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 23517

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

Hi Michael, I've tested the load, that's OK, it trips with nothing else on at all

ok,try garys suggestion as he's the man and our expert on advice.check also the switch on the fridge as i had one go on our last caravan and needed to replace it.

spares from here if required.

http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan/electric/Fridge_Spare_Parts$$11.aspx

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

mackney

13/5/2010 at 3:21pm
Location: Derby
Outfit: VW Campervan & Base Seconds XL

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 09/4/2008

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 166
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0

I just wanted to add to this post and thank you all for your suggestions - especially Gary.

After running the fridge on gas for a couple of days, it is now working perfectly on electric :)

Thanks!

Rich

holmesgster

17/11/2021 at 3:06pm
Location:
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/7/2020

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 1

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2026:	0
Site Reviews 2025:	0
Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	0

Site Nights 2026:	0
Site Nights 2025:	0
Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	2
Site Nights 2020:	0

Old tip I know but just read about damp elements causing cb to trip (Thetford fridge/freezer) when set to electric.
Just put it on gas, will see how it goes.
BUT, my question is how do the elements get damp in first place.
Any suggestions welcome.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance - Top of Page

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

Upcoming Event

Motorhome and Campervan Show Exeter 20/11 to 22/11

A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets

6406 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Special Offers]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Tent Reviews]

[Contact Us]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2026