could someone please tell me the basics of using a caravan 3 way fridge?

Question

its a second hand electrolux,fires up fine on gas and gets cold.On 240v mains it seems to go a little cold and then nothing its been on for around 6 hrs the pipes on the back are hot and yet the ice box is at ambient temperature.Am i not leaving it long enough?Am i supposed to get it cold on gas first?... its all new to me

Answer 1

Maybe the electric side of it (the compressor) is broken?

It should work off any of the 3 sources.

Answer 2

On my unit, I must switch the power source to Alternating Current, and make sure the refrigerator is also set for electric. Also check your circuit breaker(s) and/or fuse(s).

You know the refrigerator works, as it got cool in propane mode, it should cool in electric mode as well. My unit does not have an electric compressor, it uses an electric coil to heat the system in the same way that the propane flame heats the system.

A technical explanation can be found here: http://www.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=refrigerator.htm&url=http://www.nh3tech.org/absorption.html

If your breakers are good, and the switches are in the right position, you may have a defective electrical element.

Best of luck.