Mel's Electrolux Gas Fridge

[melanco]

Hi all

The fridge in my 65 ish Carapark needs some help... Is there any way to repair the inside door cracks? Or is there someone with a new door out there? Pics below.

Mel from Melbourne

[fbmad]

Hi Mel.

There is probably someone out there that could repair the cracks but finding them might take some time.

I'd try the yellow pages online and see if there is anyone near you that specialises in plastic repair/plastic welding etc or perhaps try a car panelbeating shop as most cars are full of plastic nowdays and I know they do repair plastic parts (bumper bars etc) at some of these panelbeating shops.

Maybe someone that restores the old Bakelite valve radios (Bakelite is an early form of plastic) as a lot of them would need cracks repaired for restoration.There was a bloke selling restored valve radios at Yarra Glen (not far from Melbourne) when I was there last October but haven't got his contact details unfortunately however his shop was in the main street at Yarra Glen.

Maybe try a place that repairs or sells caravans???

Other V V 'ers may have other ideas/contacts that may be better than I mentioned but its a start anyway.

Hope this helps,

Terry and Grum.

[groovy]

Mel
First up, does the fridge work well, it is no point in fixing the door if the fridge is cactus, you'd be sending lots of good money down the drain if it doesn't.

If it does work well, take the measurements of the door and contact Electrolux or as they're called now "Dometic" they may still be able to supply a new door liner or failing that have one the same size from a modern fridge.

If they are no help or to B expensive (expect them to charge at least an arm and a leg) then remove the door, dissassemble it and use (Reddo will love this) FIBREGLASS on the outer or door skin side to repair and strengthen the door liner. while your doing that, get some decent insulation and load the door up with as much as you can fit into it, the door is one of van fridges weak points for insulation, oh and see about a new door seal for it as well.

Greg

[royce]

If you can't get a new liner and the fridge works there is a method or two but it ain't perty!!

Clean with acetone using toothbrush a two part araldite (30 minute to dry stuff is strongest) using duct tape to hold together - cracks will show but if all the pieces are there it will cometogether and could be just hairline cracks if done tcarefully and not overfilled with glue. I've done it before but its not the best fix by any means.

If there are holes where bits of plastic are missing I've used a product called "knead it" (a two part sort of plasticine substance to a laymen like me) can be used to fill them as it can be filed and drilled etc. You have a short time to use knead it as it heats quickly and becomes rock hard. You can smooth it as it dries but practice on something not important first. Then you need a touch up paint matched to the plastic (model oil paints come is various shades and can match pretty well (I've used Frontline Hobbies and they are online www.frontlinehobbies.com.au/templates/frontlinehobbiescomau_home.aspx?pageID=181 ). The repair is not the best but it can be done to only be visible if looking for it and not immediately obvious.

[royce]

I forgot to add - this is where you can't get fibreglass in the back of it and build it up from underneath.

[royce]

There's a method I've seen for fixing irreplaceable door seals. You tape around the door with duct tape and use a silicon sealant to fill the gaps where the original has lost elasticity and won't seal properly. You then use a stanley knife to trim as you remove the tape or remove before the seal sets. It works and I've seen it done but not done it myself.

[melanco]

Thanks for all this advice guys, my fridge guru tells me that he will charge me $900 to see if it works, and I still have to pay if it doesn't!!! So now I am on the hunt for a new (old) fridge to go in her.... any leads??

Mel

[groovy]

$900.00 just to plug it in and switch it on to see if it works, WOW you need to find a new fridge man instead of a guru.
Seriously, if it is a 240V/LPG fridge, try plugging it into power and switching it on, if it gets cold in 2 or 3 houirs it is probably worth hunting up a door liner or repairing the old one, if not then start looking for a fridge.

By the style of the fridge, I think you will find it was an old fridge that has been fitted at some stage, as it doesn't look to be a mid sixties fridge, they were a little more modern looking by then.

Where are you, if your near Wollongong I can test it for you and if it doesn't work I have a 240V/LPG Electrolux fridge that needs shelves and door hardware that I may consider selling.

Greg

PS: If you go to the caravanersforum and ask where there is a decent fridgeman in your area, you will get lots of help. I am not knocking this site, it is great, it is just the other forum has over 2500 members and there is always someone with the answer to a question.
I can remember a couple pf members were quoted $400-500 to fit complete rebuilt of new absorbtion units to their older fridges.
Link to the caravaners forum
groups.msn.com/Caravanersforum/general.msnw

Mark, I am not trolling for members with this post just trying to help a fellow member out, I hope you don't mind me posting the url.

[humpty2]

The fridge IS early 60's.......there was one fitted and had the instruction sheet dated in one of my Sunliners (1963 model)

[groovy]

Humpty
Mate it most likely is an early sixties, but I dount it is mid sixties. The reason being, my dad bought and fitted a second hand fridge the same as this one, to our 59 Viscount in 1962 before a trip to Adelaide so we didn't have to find ice in unfamiliar towns on the way.

Also friends bought a new Viscount in 65 and it had the square electrolux fridge fitted.

The only reason I commented on age is Melinda said in the OP that her Carapark is 65ish and missed the ish on the end of it being a 65ish model

Greg

[fbmad]

As a comparison,

I was quoted $1800 to replace the refrigeration unit in the Gas/240 v Electrolux Dometic in my Millard and $2600 for a brand new one a few years ago from a place in Blacktown Sydney that rebuilds caravan fridges only. Didn't go either way, just bought a $300 240 v NEC bar fridge as at the time I always used powered van sites on tour. Worked fine for me then but it wasn't a V V and the modern fridge didn't look out of place in a 1982 Millard.

Maybe if your handy you could make or find an old looking fridge door or make your own and fit it to a new fridge as in the old ice chest doors. I've seen a pic SOMEWHERE of some one that did it. Looks old and fits in with the V V look and would probably be less cost and stuffing around. Carefull drilling holes in new fridges to fit alternative hinges and catches however...... one hole in the wrong spot and gas is gone......and would probably be irrepairable........ I've seen it done!

Tery.

[royce]

If any of you are near Raymond Terrace near Newcastle there is a guy there who restores old fridges and sells them starting from $700 and up depending on sizes and work done.
He repairs as well and will tell you if it is a waste of time or not. There's another mob in Lake Macquarie doing similar things. They had a small old fridge for $300 a year or two ago. I didn't get it and now regret not buying it. That's how it goes.
they're not on the net and I have their phone numbers somewhere if you want them. However the one in Raymond Terrace told me the units last on average twelve years before needing a refit so if the fridge is old and near the end of that time, they will need regassing and refitting.
I had an old one out of the Millard I flattened but it was rusty in the back so I gave it away and didn't get it tested. That's when I got the quotes above (for small fridge like in this photo above). I'm sure if you look around you can do better than what is being charged above unless you're talking bigger fridges than the small one. Size is what matters with these units it seems.

[melanco]

All your comments are a great help, thanks! Now you have me wondering if I could actually find out the correct year of manufacture for her. What pics should I take that would help date her?

And Greg, I really like the idea of a sympathetic person loking at the fridge but I am in Melbourne and although I am coming to Sydney this week (and will visit the NRMA show), the caravan and fridge are down here. Thanks for the offer, might see if there is someone closer.

Cheers

Mel (or Melinda when my mother is cross with me....)

[fbmad]

Hi Mel.

No expert here on dating caravan fridges but...............

I'd say your fridge is late '50's early '60's and possibly not original fitment in your van as where it is located in your pic it just looks as if it was an afterthought fitment.
I have at home here an old Fridgidair (not Caravan) fridge that was my Grandparents that is still working everyday as a 2nd fridge and it is a few years older than me ( and I'm on the wrong side of 40...... just!! )....
Your van fridge looks very similar in interior design to my Fridgidair ( made by General Motors Holden believe it or not) and its very early '60's ish .

Maybe take the fridge out and take some photies of the refridgeration unit at the back. That as well as other photies might help an expert date it. Maybe if the refridgeration unit doesn't work a more modern unit might be able to be grafted in to fit?? Fridge repairs are expensive what ever you do.

Terry.

[earlee]

Dont forget the compressor noise factor with modern bar fridges if you are putting one in a van

The older gas / electric caravan fridges are quiet in operation because they dont have a compressor starting and stopping all the time. ;D
They were the eutectic type instead - which is silent in operation - much better if one is a light sleeper, and you are close to the fridge.

I remember many motels over the years where I have got up halfway through the night to turnoff the darn noisy bar fridge.

[royce]

G'day Earlee, can you still get those type of fridges. Mine is noisy in the TD and I want to replace it with a gas option.