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Travelin2's avatar
Travelin2
Explorer
Oct 10, 2017

Atwood refridgerator power problem

This morning I went out and started my 2014 Atwood 0801 refrigerator on AC. I just set it on auto and went outside and was tinkering about for awhile. Later I unplugged the AC cord to start the fridge on gas. I expected to find that the auto function had switched over to gas operation but the fridge was dark on the control panel on the front. The inside lights were off also. Pushing the power button on the panel between the freezer and fridge did nothing. The battery switch is on and there is 12v to the red/black wire junction block. I removed the cover of the control module and found continuity across all three fuses and 12v at the two 3amp fuses. I am hoping someone knows where there is a secret reset miracle button or something. Anybody got an idea what gives here?

19 Replies

  • Thanks for that O-B, The door switch does work but no power to it. I guess I will open up that top panel and see if I can find where the 12v stops. Maybe there is a little fuse in there??? The pins going to it are hot on the power board on the back of the fridge so something must be amiss in that interior panel.
  • Couldn't open your 'link' as it is NOT on a public board

    Anyway....
    6 Pin connector for 'control panel' is source for power to display panel
    (only 5 pins used)

    Source for interior light comes from the OTHER 6 pin connector
    All 6 pins used----2 for each: Divider Heater, Door Switch, Interior Light & Thermistor

    (Is door switch working?????)





    Display panel can be removed and it will have a 6 pin connector also


    Atwood HE Service Manual


    Unfortunately .....parts are very hard to find/scarce OR no longer in production

    Good luck!
  • Well Old-Biscuit, I finally got back to this project and find 12v at the appropriate fuse holder and am getting 13+ volts on both ends of the holder not the fuse body. Also when I unplug the harness connector labeled "Control Panel" in the upper left corner of the circuit board I find good DC at all of the pins. I assume that is the power to wake up the control panel on the front of the fridge which still sits dark. No light in the food compartment and pushing the power button gets no reaction. I am suspicious that there is something amiss in that panel. I have not found a schematic for that board. Any idea if I would let the "smoke" out if I pulled that cover?

    Have a look at this tech sheet and the last drawing shows the real layout of the components on my circuit board.
    file:///C:/Users/Owner/OneDrive/Pictures/atwood%200801%20reefer.pdf
  • ScottG wrote:
    As I understand it, they wern't bad, they were bought out by the competition.


    Dometic acquired Atwood back in late 2014

    Atwood Helium fridge production ended in 2016
  • ScottG wrote:
    Propane turned off or maybe you ran out?


    That's it! All those little electrons have vanished from the propane. :B
  • As I understand it, they wern't bad, they were bought out by the competition.
  • Thanks for the info Old-Biscuit....I had no idea that model had been discontinued already. Must be a pile of junk. Guess I should have done a little research.

    In the morning I will check out some of the things you brought up. Thanks

    I found the schematic for it that you were referring to so I should be able to find out why DC is not on the front panel.
  • Atwood HE0801----helium fridge (no longer in production and parts are scarce)


    12V at BOTH 3A fuses :H

    12V DC at terminals J2 (12V POS) and J4 (Ground)
    then should have 12V DC on both sides of 3A DC fuse
    That would be the center vertical 3A fuse
    THIS fuse is for ALL DC controls, display and light



    Far left horizontal 3A is for the 120V AC circuit
    Should only have 120V AC ...no DC

    Far right horizontal 20A (25A) is for the DC electric heater



    No display lights no interior light........NO DC Voltage
    SO either fuse holder is not making contact if fuse is good
    Or circuit board is issue


    Did you plug AC power cord back in and check fridge function???


    Reset for fridge is POWER ON/OFF button.........but have to have DC for that to work

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