My Turn for Waeco repair

[Tucson T4R]

Well after 4 1/2 years of off road abuse my Waeco CF-80 choked this last weekend. When I got to camp I noticed the temp was raising and the green power and temp lights would flash off and on about every 8 seconds and the compressor was not running. Other LED lights on the same circuit would also flash off when the fridge did. No red error lights and would not run in emergency on back up mode.

The 12V feed from my trailer was a steady 12.8 volts. Luckily I had my generator with me so I was able to run the fridge on 110VAC which worked fine. I would cycle it with the generator to get it cold then turn it off for a few hours. That got me through the trip.

The good news is the Dometic customer service seems to have improved considerably since SOAZ's experience. They got me to a guy named Bob that knows the Waeco fridge product line well and he was very helpful. They are shipping me the power control panel today and I should have it working again next weekend.

I'll post back up after I replace the part and verify the fix.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Well after 4 1/2 years of off road abuse my Waeco CF-80 choked this last weekend. When I got to camp I noticed the temp was raising and the green power and temp lights would flash off and on about every 8 seconds and the compressor was not running. Other LED lights on the same circuit would also flash off when the fridge did. No red error lights and would not run in emergency on back up mode.

The 12V feed from my trailer was a steady 12.8 volts. Luckily I had my generator with me so I was able to run the fridge on 110VAC which worked fine. I would cycle it with the generator to get it cold then turn it off for a few hours. That got me through the trip.

The good news is the Dometic customer service seems to have improved considerably since SOAZ's experience. They got me to a guy named Bob that knows the Waeco fridge product line well and he was very helpful. They are shipping me the power control panel today and I should have it working again next weekend.

I'll post back up after I replace the part and verify the fix.

Good to know that you were taken care of so promptly. Was it a warranty issue or a repair for you?

 

[Tucson T4R]

Good to know that you were taken care of so promptly. Was it a warranty issue or a repair for you?

I was out of warranty so I just paid for the part. Not too bad though, with shipping and tax it was about $63. Lots better than a new fridge. :sombrero:

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I was out of warranty so I just paid for the part. Not too bad though, with shipping and tax it was about $63. Lots better than a new fridge. :sombrero:

If you paid tax can I assume the parts are available locally? Where?
Not that I need any parts I just getting myself prepared if I do.

 

[Tucson T4R]

If you paid tax can I assume the parts are available locally? Where?
Not that I need any parts I just getting myself prepared if I do.

Some companies charge tax even when ordered out of state. :-(

Dometic said they had the part in stock in Indiana and were shipping it from there today.

 

[goodtimes]

Some companies charge tax even when ordered out of state. :-(

Dometic said they had the part in stock in Indiana and were shipping it from there today.

If a business 'operates' in a state (has a repair facility, warehouse, showroom, dealer, etc) they have to charge tax to any resident in that state who buys from them. If they don't have operations in the state, the buyer generally has to pay 'use tax' in lieu of 'sales tax'.

Waeco [supposedly] has a repair facility in Tucson (it is part of a RV dealership). At least that is how I understand it.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Was not Waeco - Was Bonehead

OK, I received the replacement power control board on Friday and replaced it in the fridge yesterday.

I still had the same problem. I spent few hours frustrated and thinking about the next step then I finaly thought to take the trailer out of the picture. I set the fridge up on a table in my garage and powered it with a 12VDC power supply I have. It worked pferfectly!

When I shifted my attention back to the 12V wiring in the trailer I found a bad splice between the main trailer body and the kitchen clamshell unit. I can get the fan or LEDs to drop in and out at will by flexing the splice.

So never mind on the fridge repair. I'll re-do the wire splices and be good to go.

At least now I have a spare Waeco power control board if I ever need it. :sombrero:

Bonehead, signing off. :elkgrin:

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Glad to know there is a brand new replacement power control board in town if I ever need it.:sombrero: