Edgestar FP630

[titancrawler]

I have had this for probley 8 years and recently the DC connection has decided to stop working. Everything works great on AC, fan spinning, cooling etc. When I attempt to use DC the fan attempts to come on and then nothing after that. Does anyone have any ideas what could cause this? Cords are in great condition and I have never had any issues. I would hate to junk it. Thanks in advance!

 

[WOODY2]

Don't junk it, could just be a broken solder connection on the board?

 

[titancrawler]

I dont intend to Junk it but for the most part I only use DC. I opened it up and all the wires look good from a visual inspection. Everything lights up as normal but the DC will not stay on, Fan just dies after 1 second.

 

[slomatt]

My assumption is that the compressor runs on DC, so the AC side input through a transformer and then is rectified to DC. This means that if it works on AC it should work on DC as well, which suggests an "upstream" problem somewhere between the plug and the circuit board or a low voltage issue.

Do you have a multimeter? If so, I'd check for continuity along the DC input path (with the fridge unplugged from all power sources) and see if there are any loose or broken connections.

That said, it's suspicious that the fan comes on for a few seconds and then turns off. Does the digital temp gauge light up and then turn off as well? It is entirely possible that you are hitting the built in low voltage protection. I have an Edgestar FP430 and have run into this a few times.

What are you plugging the DC cord into? These fridges can draw a reasonable amount of amps on initial startup, and if the fridge if fed by small wires there can be enough voltage drop to trigger the low voltage protection. The low voltage cutout is adjustable, so as a quick test you could turn it all the way down and see if the fridge keeps running.

 

[titancrawler]

"problem somewhere between the plug and the circuit board or a low voltage issue" - I used the DC Troubleshooting Flow Chart on Edgestar's website and looks like it could be the DC Power Supply based on the yes and no answers.

Do you have a multimeter? Yes I do let me give this a try - If so, I'd check for continuity along the DC input path (with the fridge unplugged from all power sources) and see if there are any loose or broken connections.

That said, it's suspicious that the fan comes on for a few seconds and then turns off. Not even a few seconds probley more like one second. Does the digital temp gauge light up and then turn off as well? Yes everything lights up as normal. It is entirely possible that you are hitting the built in low voltage protection. I have an Edgestar FP430 and have run into this a few times. Ive never had a low voltage issue and have been actively using on DC for about 8 years.

What are you plugging the DC cord into? I use a connector/wire that feeds to a fairly new Bluetop Optima. (stand alone 2nd battery) I even bought a new DC cord from Whynter and same thing happens. These fridges can draw a reasonable amount of amps on initial startup, and if the fridge if fed by small wires there can be enough voltage drop to trigger the low voltage protection. The low voltage cutout is adjustable, so as a quick test you could turn it all the way down and see if the fridge keeps running. I ran bigger wire to prevent any voltage drops. Again never one issue for 8 years.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Direct 12v goes thru power supply, maybe bad relay contacts when switching between 12v direct and power supply 12v.

Measure voltage on power supply, terminals V+ (positive) COM (negative) , this after source relay.
Or terminals on Compressor driver: Blue- positive, Brown - negative, this is the power reaching compressor.
PDF explains how to add diagnostic LED

 

[titancrawler]

Turns out my dc connector cord was bad. I cut the cigarette plug off my new Whynter cable and made a new adapter. Everything is working as normal again! Love this fridge it just works.