Alpicool CR50 freezer ok, fridge not cooling

[doningtonphil]

Its frestrating becasue although I got through to helpful Nick in their Technical Dept, he advised I needed to make formal contact via Ebay messaginf (the fridge was bought from their ebay site). So, what seemed a promising start is now dragging on. We were hoping to do an overnight off grip camp on friday night, but I dont fancy that without a working fridge (I also not that when the freezer is dispaying low temperatures, how quickly it returns to ambient. It seems the insulation is very poor (or the motor is getting warm due to having to run so much)
I will let you know what I here from Jacksons via ebay

 

[NickyBrown08]

Mine should be still in warranty with THQ so getting serial number off it tomorrow and will be ringing them. Obviously a very common problem with them. See what they say.

 

[doningtonphil]

Mine should be still in warranty with THQ so getting serial number off it tomorrow and will be ringing them. Obviously a very common problem with them. See what they say.

How did you get on?
Mines in warranty too. Crucially in first 6 months it is legally assumed the fault existed at point of sale and diwn to the supplier to prove it wasn't. After 6 months, it onus is more on the consumer to prove it was there.

I feel aggrieved having to do any work on the fridge myself (although see the other thread, they seem to be backtracking on a fix by asking me what size and length cable was used to connect it!!!!) It's a bit of a bulky item to send back to the shop.

Let's see what tomorrow brings

 

[NickyBrown08]

I haven’t contacted them yet. Will be tomorrow, though I have a feeling I won’t get very far.
Seems there is a big problem with them and nobody seems to have a clue what to do. Totally agree?m, if they are faulty they should be getting replaced and not expect you to repair it yourself.

 

[NickyBrown08]

So little update. Put the fridge on this morning on way to work. Checked 10 mins ago and on -15 for freezer when it’s set for -3. And 10 when set at 1 so obviously faulty.
Contacted THQ who have said they can swap the fridge but not until mid September or a refund.
So looking like will be getting a refund and hopefully a new fridge before the bank holiday weekend.

 

[Hgw088]

Hi all,

Come across this thread as we are having the same issue here with our 80L(?) Alpicool Fridge, less than 6 months old.

Suspected it was the 30 degree + heat we are having on our trip in Slovinia was getting the better of it but a night in the mountains where it is a lot cooler and we are still having the same issues. The leisure battery is taking a pounding, but we are still keeping on top of it with the Solar at the moment.

Got another 4 weeks out here, so I’m hoping for a DIY fix asap. I will drop Jackson Leisure an email in the morning but I’m not very optimistic!

If anyone gets any further with this, please keep us updated.

Cheers,

Harry

 

[CUSTOM77]

Anyone had any luck getting an exchange or refund from Jacksons? Mine has been terrible since I got it and has now given up completely…. Had a part sent out by Jackson’s that didn’t fix it and now they aren’t being helpful in any way…

 

[NickyBrown08]

Hi pal,

Mine was a Transporter HQ and they have refunded mine without a problem. Picked it up Monday, couldn’t give an exchange as they had none in stock.
They tried repairing but with no luck at all. So the fault still isn’t known. Ordered a new one off Just Kampers. Very similar.

 

[TheGrapeEscape]

I've heard these fridges are very temperamental, you're supposed to have 50mm breathing space around the back and also have it wired on 4mm cable, where as most converters put 2.5mm cable.

Its putting me off buying one but that's the only fridge which fits my kitchen

 

[Elsonvan1990]

I've heard these fridges are very temperamental, you're supposed to have 50mm breathing space around the back and also have it wired on 4mm cable, where as most converters put 2.5mm cable.

Its putting me off buying one but that's the only fridge which fits my kitchen

I connected the wires that come straight from the fridge, the wires were long enough.

Iv used the fridge in 40degree heat in Spain, like I said in another post I just take out the freezer bit which I don’t usually use, or if I keep it in that’s the bit that gets the coolest the quickest. as long as fridge stays around 5-6 with my thermostat I don’t care what the numbers on the LED display say

 

[doningtonphil]

Just an update on mine. I let the trail go cold with Jacksons as the ebay shop lady was asking too many questions before even allowing parts to be sent out, even though helpful Nick had said he would put them in the post that night.

Anyway, I took the divider out and since then the 2 temp reading have stayed pretty much as they should (although I don't actually have a freezer now).

I am wondering if a certain amount of 'pre-conditioning' is needed before use ie take the divider out which allows the fridge section to cool sufficiently before reinserted divider and filling with food.

It's as if the compressor is working it's arse off trying to get the fridge temp down but the divider provides sufficient insulation/physical barrier to stop the cold air falling. I am imaging the cooling part is just in the top part of the fridge.

Could that be an answer

 

[Elsonvan1990]

I’m going to use mine this weekend so will let you know, the fridge seemed to stay at a constant temp when I tried this summer.

 

[NickyBrown08]

I’ve had a couple of other brands now but gone back to the transporter HQ version. Mine worked fine over weekend with no problems.
Fingers crossed continues to work as it should.

 

[glennbtn]

So if you take the freezer part out, does the motor just keep running as there is no freezer to get down to temp anymore.

 

[doningtonphil]

I think the comment above is the key. The cooling only takes place in the top which would be the freezer section and the divider prevents the cold 'falling down'. I y took the divider out abd the display consistently shows 0 to 3 degrees in the fridge section. Everything stayed nice and cold and compressor running much less.

 

[rees0090]

I have a new AlpicoolCRX 50 and I was having the exact same problem as many on here - freezer getting very cold, but fridge only going down to max 7 degrees. I seem to have fixed the issue i was having by adjusting the battery protection to low. I think the fridge was incorrectly sensing a low leisure battery. Let me know of this solves your problem

 

[Elsonvan1990]

I have a new AlpicoolCRX 50 and I was having the exact same problem as many on here - freezer getting very cold, but fridge only going down to max 7 degrees. I seem to have fixed the issue i was having by adjusting the battery protection to low. I think the fridge was incorrectly sensing a low leisure battery. Let me know of this solves your problem

View attachment 298571

I’m currently away with the van in Italy so will try and report back!

Cheers.

 

[Rioja John]

I have bought 2 Alpicool TWW35s in just over 2 years and both have failed miserably, the first 1 I paid £395 bought off a company in wales and it stopped working 3 weeks out of warranty, I contacted them and they just didn’t want to know.
I bought a second one off eBay with 5 years warranty quoted, it too has packed up at 14 months old, I’ve sent the company messages by eBay and they’re not replying, I’ve contacted eBay customer services who have said there’s nothing they can do as out of their 30days returns policy, and they’ve told me to contact Citizens Advice what a scam, anyway I've been an eBay customer for 20 years and I’ve now cancelled my account. So beware Alpicool products.

 

[Dellmassive]

Nightmare...

I had 5 different fridges now..

Some of them running in the shed for 6 months.... The only one they left me down was the Dometic branded one... The fridge side went to -22c and froze all the beers.... A thermostat problem.

 

[Rioja John]

After spending hours on the internet last night I've got the Alpicool working.
Switch off the fridge on the display panel press settings until E1 comes up then press + & - at the same time and now working again.