My fridge has started tripping the RCD on the circuit. Disconnecting the d efrost heater seems to fix the issue and the fridge continues to work. I a m trying to source a replacement defrost heater element but no joy. Anyone know of somewhere to get one? Also, anyone know where in the fridge it is located and how to get to it?
search for F&P exploded parts diagram with your model number, there seem to be plenty online
On my hotpoint, I think it's the flat panel at the back/top of the fridge compartment, where you see frozen drops of ice after it's been through a defrost cycle.
Thanks Andy. I went to their website and found the part but it was replaced by another . So I followed that one which similarly was replaced. Eventually got to the end and found one that was available but that was not for my fridge :(
Plenty of Youtube videos showing replacement for other manufactures which all seem to be similar with respect the heater.
If you search Ebay "Fisher & Paykel fridge defrost heater" you can a least see what it looks like and maybe a part form another manufacture is the same/similar
replaced by another . So I followed that one which similarly was replaced. Eventually got to the end and found one that was available but that was not for my fridge :(
If it has replaced the right part it is possible it can be made to work, unless it specifically says it can't be used in your fridge. It may just be that the latest part wasn't intended for your fridge when the description was first written.
The main wiring centres are dry and no sign of any issues. The wiring at th e heater could well be the issue but need to get to it. I am still unable to find anything about my specific fridge but having seen a few videos of o thers I am hoping there is a removable panel behind the freezer drawer. Wil l check tonight.
In addition at the back of the fridge is a drip tray which catches the melt ed ice. This too seems to have an element looking thing in it. Not sure how to BV get at this one as the back is one big metal sheet with. Cut out at the bottom for the compressor and this tray.
So I stripped the fridge when I got home. Wasn't quite as difficult as I th ought. Found the heater element and disconnected it from the supply. Puttin g a multimeter across the element I got 100ohms. I tried checking continuit y between each of the 2 terminals and what looked like an earth connected t o the cooling fins and nothing. So, suspecting it wasn't the heating elemen t I powered the fridge on with the element disconnected and it worked as be fore. So.... Conclusion seems to be the heater element is duff but... I was expecting a full short on the element or a connection to earth.
Does my testing prove it is the heater element? Have I missed something?
Testing for leakage currents needs to be done at or above the working voltage of the item under test. Your meter only applies a few volts at most and possibly less and does not stress it sufficiently.
thought. Found the heater element and disconnected it from the supply. Putt ing a multimeter across the element I got 100ohms. I tried checking continu ity between each of the 2 terminals and what looked like an earth connected to the cooling fins and nothing. So, suspecting it wasn't the heating elem ent I powered the fridge on with the element disconnected and it worked as before. So.... Conclusion seems to be the heater element is duff but... I w as expecting a full short on the element or a connection to earth.
Nothing is proven really. It could be that mains voltage is needed for the heater insulation to conduct, it could be that it's now dried out and no lo nger faulty, or there might be an intermittent fault elsewhere.
I'd look to test the heater at mains v or above. It might be fine - either way you should then know.
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