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Old 02-11-2020, 08:35 PM   #1
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Converting 3 way fridge from 240V

I'm importing another Eriba Puck from Great Britain and it has an Electrolux 4200 three way fridge in it that is set up to run on European standard 240V, 12V and propane. I've read that the Dometic/Electrolux fridges are almost identical to the 110V versions sold over here but the heating element for the refrigerant is different for the 110V models. It would be great if all I had to do was to change out a $35 part to convert the fridge to run over here instead of buying a new fridge.

Does anybody have any experience or knowledge of this idea?
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Old 02-11-2020, 09:14 PM   #2
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Convert the voltage??

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Originally Posted by Jack Walter View Post
I've read that the Dometic/Electrolux fridges are almost identical to the 110V versions sold over here but the heating element for the refrigerant is different for the 110V models.
Does anybody have any experience or knowledge of this idea?
Or convert the voltage. With never having done it; and because of my background I’d use a step-up transformer. They are common in industry and I would hope a 500 watt transformer would run it.
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Old 02-12-2020, 04:55 AM   #3
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I agree, a transformer is one option. They tend to be large, and can be expensive but easily found used on ebay . Another possibility is replacing the heating element. As it is a resistor, a 120 volt element of the same wattage and size should work. If the same fridge is sold here, a direct replacement should be available. Unfortunately, like most replacement parts, they tend to be overpriced. That said, either option would be much cheaper than replacing the fridge.
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Old 02-12-2020, 09:48 AM   #4
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I agree, a transformer is one option. They tend to be large, and can be expensive but easily found used on ebay . Another possibility is replacing the heating element. As it is a resistor, a 120 volt element of the same wattage and size should work. If the same fridge is sold here, a direct replacement should be available. Unfortunately, like most replacement parts, they tend to be overpriced. That said, either option would be much cheaper than replacing the fridge.
adding transformers adding resistors how many batteries are we talking. I think I would get gas and be done with it. Those gas fridges are gas sippers!

A 20lb tank doesn't weigh much and will last several weeks if just running the fridge.
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Old 02-12-2020, 10:44 AM   #5
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adding transformers adding resistors how many batteries are we talking. I think I would get gas and be done with it. Those gas fridges are gas sippers!

A 20lb tank doesn't weigh much and will last several weeks if just running the fridge.

The fridge is a three way so it will run off the propane tank or 12V. What I want to be able to do is run it off a 120V live circuit if I'm staying in a campground and plugged into shore power. I've read somewhere that the only difference between the European and US fridges is the heating element used in the circuit for when the fridge is operating off shore power. I'm trying to confirm if that's correct or if there is a different circuit board or other electrical components that need to be changed as well. It might be an easy conversion that would save the expense of replacing the whole refrigerator.
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Old 02-12-2020, 11:00 AM   #6
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fridge modification

Hello Jack, we were once the largest fridge rebuilders in Canada, for you to change it to a 120 volt from 240 fridge is quite simple you will need to replace the heating element with the same wattage marked on the element and of course if the fridge is not hardwired you will have to change the plug and outlet as well.
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Old 02-12-2020, 11:02 AM   #7
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depending on the model and circuit board, it might require 240v, as it needs to get control power somewhere.
If you have the wattage requirement for the heating element it is not hard to calculate how big a transformer you need, they are very common for anyone who moves here from europe and brings appliances etc. what about a converter , does it have one? if so you will need to consider that as well.
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Old 02-12-2020, 01:10 PM   #8
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Europeans use 240 volts as compared to our 120/240 volts but it is also 50 HZ compared to our 60 HZ
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Old 02-12-2020, 01:27 PM   #9
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Hello Jack, we were once the largest fridge rebuilders in Canada, for you to change it to a 120 volt from 240 fridge is quite simple you will need to replace the heating element with the same wattage marked on the element and of course if the fridge is not hardwired you will have to change the plug and outlet as well.
Thanks, the fridge is hardwired but I will be getting into the wiring harness to increase the gauge of the wires and changing the interior sockets and mains plug to US standards. As one of the other responders pointed out I'm concerned that the control circuit might require 240V and/or 50 hz but the sketchy information I've been able to dig out so far suggests that might not be an issue. It's an Electrolux RM4200 and the trailer is on a boat leaving England today. Once I pick it up at the port and get it home in a couple of weeks I'll dissect it and hopefully know a little more. Your expertise is very much appreciated and encouraging.

There are only a couple of circuits on this little 12' trailer so rewiring it won't be a big deal. If I can figure out how to use the fridge that's in it that will save me a few hundred dollars. Thanks everyone for your input.
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Old 02-12-2020, 01:52 PM   #10
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12 vdc converter

Or you could just run the fridge in 12 vdc mode by installing a shore power converter.
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Old 02-12-2020, 01:54 PM   #11
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Or you could just run the fridge in 12 vdc mode by installing a shore power converter.

Yes but I've read that these fridges don't work nearly as well on 12V as they do on 120V or propane.
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Old 02-12-2020, 01:56 PM   #12
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The fridge is a three way so it will run off the propane tank or 12V. ....
Maybe get a good, 15 or more amp continuous, 12 volt power supply and run the fridge on 12 VDC? The advantage is no modifications to the fridge.

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Europeans use 240 volts as compared to our 120/240 volts but it is also 50 HZ compared to our 60 HZ
Assuming its only powering the heating element then 10 Hz difference wont matter.
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Old 02-12-2020, 02:15 PM   #13
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No batteries.

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adding transformers adding resistors how many batteries are we talking. .
No batteries or resisters added. just the trans former and only if you can't find a 120 volt heating element. A 500 watt step up transformer is small and about $50.
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Old 02-12-2020, 05:27 PM   #14
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Disconnect the 240 volt line from the fridge and buy a 12 volt power supply that runs off 120 volts. You can probably just use your converter if it has been switched to 120 volts.
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Old 02-12-2020, 05:59 PM   #15
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Maybe get a good, 15 or more amp continuous, 12 volt power supply and run the fridge on 12 VDC? The advantage is no modifications to the fridge.
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Disconnect the 240 volt line from the fridge and buy a 12 volt power supply that runs off 120 volts. You can probably just use your converter if it has been switched to 120 volts.
G M T A !
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Old 02-12-2020, 06:59 PM   #16
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I'm importing another Eriba Puck from Great Britain and it has an Electrolux 4200 three way fridge in it that is set up to run on European standard 240V, 12V and propane. I've read that the Dometic/Electrolux fridges are almost identical to the 110V versions sold over here but the heating element for the refrigerant is different for the 110V models. It would be great if all I had to do was to change out a $35 part to convert the fridge to run over here instead of buying a new fridge.

Does anybody have any experience or knowledge of this idea?
(Suspicion) would be that if 4-wire, it was running twox120-vac circuits, (like conventional RV50a?)
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Old 02-12-2020, 07:06 PM   #17
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After a review of the manual it would appear there is no electronic control board on the RM4200 and the heating element is alittle over 100 watts. The dometic 2193 in my trailer uses a similar sized element. One of those from a defunct RM2193 might be worth a try.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/45...x-Rm-4200.html
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Old 02-13-2020, 08:48 AM   #18
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looking at what they have for a wiring diagram, it would seem a simple 500 watt transformer adapter as previously mentioned would work just fine. you could probably mount it in the wiring compartment, feed it with 120v and run the 220v from it to the fridge terminals

don't sweat the 50/60 hz, its biggest effect is on motors, for the fridge it shouldn't be an issue.
Many Many years ago, we actually ran on 25hz, that's when you could actually see the lights flicker
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Old 02-14-2020, 12:00 PM   #19
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The Dometic manuals describe the 12 VDC circuit on a three-way fridge as only being suitable to partly-cool the refrigerator, or to help maintain temperatures achieved by pre-cooling under LP gas or 120 VAC power.

I suspect the 12 VDC heating element was sized as a compromise between providing some cooling function, and limiting the amperage in accordance with the limitations of the battery's storage and the 12 VDC wiring's ampacity.

Though not really mentioned, rewiring the Eriba for 60 HZ 240 VAC would seem a bit outlandish. I'd favor the concept of getting a 120 VAC heating element for the fridge.

Studying manuals for the Eriba's fridge and for other refrigerators will hopefully yield up some information concerning the respective wattages of the original element and prospective replacement elements.

On edit: I looked up the electric heating elements for the Dometic RM 2454 we had in our Casita and they are both listed as being 175 watts.

http://www.trekin.digital-digs.net/S...r%20Manual.pdf

The refrigerator manual Raz linked lists 220 and 175 watt heater elements respectively for 240 and 12 volt, but it's not the Electrolux 4200 that Jack mentions.

My earlier statements above about the differing wattages may apply to other model refrigerators. I used to read quite a few Dometic manuals when I was learning about absorption refrigerators. Or maybe I'm just full of gas - ?
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Old 02-15-2020, 05:57 AM   #20
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The refrigerator manual Raz linked lists 220 and 175 watt heater elements respectively for 240 and 12 volt, but it's not the Electrolux 4200 that Jack mentions.
Ok, I'm confused. The picture on the cover looks right and the specs list the AC element at 105 watts? Did I spec the wrong one?

In any event, just for fun I searched the cost of replacing the element in my dometic. The cheapest I could find for a new element was well over $100. Considering I can buy a new fridge for $600, I'd say they are just a little greedy. With those kind of prices, the step up transformer approach looks better and better unless a used element can be found on ebay.
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