RSG33
Yup you got it as I was just to post that as well. If the element is shorting to ground, that fuse will not take it even for a few seconds. So any kind of sheath short should trip the fuse.
Edit:3-18-07 TimwsRV has pointed out a very good reason on how this may occur and not trip the fuse. See my post a few replies down where I stated how this might occur. Point: Depending on where the short is, it may or may not trip the fuse.
Willis you where right on the short, just I didn't see the light yet. I stand corrected. Sorry :o.
JWalker
Do you have a clamp on amp probe? If you are pulling the right current, well everything is working right with the new element, as least in the power draw state.
And you may have a sensitive GFI. They do go bad every now and then. If your fridge has a 120 volt plug out by the fridge back, you can power it from a separate drop line. Meaning a different power source on a different GFI.
Hopefully this will turn up something. The 12 volt pocket should not really be affecting this that is obvious anyway.
Just thinking on this, you didn't say but I'll bring it up in case you try this. I do not know if I would test for a long time the element out in the open air to see if it will run wide open for hours on end. Since it is not cooling anything nor on any type of controlling shut down, the unit may cook it self. The pipe it is heating and the coolant in the pipe keep the unit from overheating. Sort of like a hot water heater element not under water. Poof after a few minutes. I do not know this for fact, but maybe someone else does and you do not have to prove that it will burn out to prove the theory....
Good luck and let us know what you find out
John
