Dometic CF-40 (41 L) Questions & Answers

Good question. I would also like to know the answer to this one.

I believe and according to the manual, the fridge has an intergrated power supply with priority circuit for connecting to an AC voltage. The priority circuit automatically switches the fridge to power supply operation once connected to AC even if the DC connection is still attached. (connect and disconnect being the operative words here)
I would think it goes without saying that it will automatically go back to just 12V DC once the AC is disconnected. I couldn't tell you whether there would be any difference between the meaning of turning off versus actually disconnecting.

Phil,
I had mine apart the other day looking at the fan which after 16 years is starting to get noisy.
Did not pay much attention to the upper control panel but I would assume that you have to remove the cover from around the compressor unit, then disconnect the cable from the control unit to to the compressor unit. They would only make the cables long enough to reach the unit.

By the way I took the fan apart and added a touch of grease to it to get the fan back to normal. But still will order a new fan replacement.

Cheers Neil.

Thanks Neil.. I'll give that a go. I had the bottom cover off a while ago and didn't think to try the upper control panel at the same time.

16 years for a fan isn't too bad eh?

I've had my cf40 for a few years now and very happy with it. I decided to carefully spray some electrical/anti-corroison spray on the wiring joints and circuit boards after I saw some corrosion. That's when I got stuck with trying to get the upper control panel off.. I'd like to finish the job and get that done before I take a long trip mid this year.

Cheers mate... Phil

Probably asking too much of it . Usually your chill it on 240V ythen operate on 12V once col especially on hot days. Alternatively put a bag of ice into it till it gets down to temp then it should maintain an ok temp if its shaded and not opened every few minutes or war m stuff added.

Switch on the cooler.
Press the “SET” button ) twice.
Use the“UP+”)or“DOWN–”) buttons to select Celsius or Fahrenheit.

I’ve never had this problem,best to talk to the store you purchased your fridge from.

Hi,no I don’t know why sorry I can’t help.

Hi chezza,have you tried turning off and on again and then resetting your temp again?

New one. The controller board is not cheap.

You may want to check the fuse of your 12V cable. I think it is in the cigarette lighter head of the cable. Or you can use your multi meter to beep the cable.

As I said to you I have checked everythimg

Hi Ihad exactly the same problem. talked to danny newman at waeco, .he solved it straight away. you need a replacement,unit the one that plugs in to the compressor,itself.good luck rgds, chris.

There is a threshold setting on the cf40.
Try as medium, low you may have trouble starting the car for single battery. I suspect it is the battery voltage sensing that decide to turn the fridge off.

Also check the voltage at the plug may be voltage drop, also mine was doing the same thing it was the fuse at the back not making good contacts.
Cheers John

Hello Chezza,
I suggest mucking around with your setting until you get it right as setting temps don't match inside temps.
As for me I am in the process of trashing my last Waeco -- they are crap!!!
I have spent more than the cost of a new one on repairs .... 3 times ... (along with the inconvenience of travel to service agents) and it still plays up. On 240v it will run for 5 - 10 hours at a time then flash error (insufficient power) and switch itself off. Tried everything but refuse to spend another cent on it. When you consider they are only used occasionally (8-10 weeks a year) they should last much longer and a 12 month warranty is worthless.
They are over supplied with electronics that are very temperamental. Engel have just produced a plastic version of their fridge to compete with Waeco that sell for around $800. Little in the way of electronics - just a temp dial. ... I will wait and see what they are like.
Interesting to find a number of retailers who have stopped stocking Waeco for obvious reasons.
If yours is working good luck!!!!
Cheers
Bear

I typically set it to 5c travelling. -15c before travelling to freeze all my ice pack in the garage. Transfer all the ice pack into Caravan when we hitch up.
That would cool the Caravan fridge by the time we get to the first town to stock up grocery and take a break. At 5c, the fridge can run overnight with the Ute battery. Setting cf 40 cut off at medium. So it would not drain the battery too low to start car.

Hi Daz yes it will cut out before it will drop your battery to low as long as you set it to the highest setting. But for best results i would set up a second battery deep cycle one and that way you can set the fridge to the lowest setting and get the most out of your fridge. Mine stays in the 4x4 all the time and running all the time just so I have a cold drink on hand.
Cheers john

I had a similar problem and it ended up being a faulty fuse in the in-line fuse on the 12 lead

Thanks Littlejc but didn't work, bypassed the fuse and connected directly but same problem occurs, guess it might be the12v electronics. Do you know whether this can be replaced on its own and would you know what a single flash of error code would be?

Google the unit and you can find out what the red light combinations indicate. Perhaps your vehicles 12 volt system isn't adequate. Repairs are expensive. I have spent the price of a new fridge on repairs (two different circuit boards) and won't do it again.
Give it back and buy an Engel!!! Always the way when you borrow something. Good luck. Bear

I found that running it on zero effectively kept my beer at about 3 - 4 degrees. Probably best to muck around with your Waeco and a thermometer (or a few stubbies) until you get it right for you. Good luck.

This is a trial and error thing i set mine on 0 degrees and place beer butter cheese around the outside and veggies and fruit in the middle temperature depends on location if the fridge is in a car or in the shade etc . Freezer i set to maximum and then ease of from there .