Rangemaster Frost Free Problems

[baldysmurf]

Hi all,

Firstly many thanks for the advice in the information section, very very helpful! I’ve carried out some diagnostics myself but have hit a brick wall and am hoping that someone here may give some insight into the following please!

I have an integrated Rangemaster Fridge Freezer – model RFXF7030FI/AP – it’s frost free and only three years old. I have the fridge set to 3 degrees, and the freezer set to -17 via the control panel on the front of the unit.

What used to be a monthly problem has now become weekly in that the fridge section will lose temperature and start rising. When I remove the back panel in the freezer compartment there is an ice build up as seen in the attached picture. There is a denser area of ice than elsewhere and directly behind the evaporator on this section is a duct to the fridge. There is an additional duct further up next to the fan, which I can hear spinning even when the issue occurs.

Interestingly when I turn the power off and on again the freezer temperature shown displays as -29ish, likely due to that extra ice? However if the unit is left powered down to defrost and then turned back on it’s ok again for a week until the issue returns.

I’ve had my multimeter on the heater, the thermal fuses, and the defrost sensor and all look to be operating correctly. In that I mean the heater isn’t a closed circuit (think was showing approx 300 ohms), the fuses give continuity, and the defrost sensor varies its value depending on temperature. Seals all seem to be ok although being integrated it’s difficult to be 100{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} unless I take the kitchen doors off, which is possible but something I’ve not done yet. I can also hear noises from the back of the fridge unit cavity which I believe to be the flaps.

Would be very grateful for any suggestions please. The control board was suggested by a friend of a friend but would this really be the problem if it’s ok for a week or so before icing up?

Thanks for reading!

Cheers,
Neil

[kwatt]

Re: Rangemaster Frost Free Problems

Best thing to start with is probably to defrost it fully. A pain I know but at least 24 hours off with the doors open, then restart it and see how it goes.

K.

[baldysmurf]

Re: Rangemaster Frost Free Problems

Thanks for the reply kwatt. The manual defrost is what fixes it every week, but it just happens again the following one 😥

[kwatt]

Re: Rangemaster Frost Free Problems

Over freezing then, probably a sensor issue but that’s a best guess.

K.

[NewburyMan]

Re: Rangemaster Frost Free Problems

I used to live in a house with one of these integrated Rangemasters. It was an absolute pain in the A** !!! My wife insisted on it, i think that was what led to our divorce!

If it wasn’t icing up, then it was tripping the power.

If i were you i would contact Rangemaster directly, they may know what the issue is.

[baldysmurf]

Re: Rangemaster Frost Free Problems

I can certainly understand the frustration of the thing! It was here when we moved in and apparently the previous owners of the house had no issues with it, but it’s been doing this since about two weeks after we moved in!

I emailed Rangemaster but they didn’t reply, so then called them but was told they don’t handle their own repairs for out of warranty goods. They referred me to a couple of third parties, neither of whom answered the phone when I rang. And the vast majority of other repair companies I’ve phoned just don’t seem to want the work when they find out either it’s integrated or Rangemaster.

P.S Also live in Newbury! Well, close enough.

[kwatt]

Re: Rangemaster Frost Free Problems

My personal opinion on these “Rangemaster” side by sides is, shall we say, not so good.

They’re not Rangemasters at all or AGA as if you slap an AGA badge on one it’s pretty much the same thing, nor the quality that most buyers would expect from the brands.

It is in fact I believe a Chinese Hisense made machine as explained in this little video we made…

[youtube:q37uy9ds]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cltgwr99Uak[/youtube:q37uy9ds]

They’re not wonderful in other words and I’ve spoken with a few of the repairers that really don’t rate them. I am of course sugar coating that somewhat.

Part prices are simply horrific. Tech info not great. Tech support not exactly exemplary either.

All of which comes together to likely explain why that getting someone that will take it on for repair may prove challenging as when you do take something like this on as a repairer being paid to fix it, you own it. Or at least that problem on it till its solved.

If you struggle to get parts, they’re expensive, you’ve little support or tech on it then, as a repairer myself for many years, it gets to a point where it’s just not worth the hassle. A business decision is made to avoid rather than take on what may well prove a boatload of hassles.

Nobody wants to turn away business but, in the service industry, that is sometimes the best thing you can do from a business perspective.

We have to do the same thing on some spare parts as well for some brands or machines, to be completely blunt, there’s not just no profit in it, it’s often a low to deal with. And, businesses cannot afford to lose money, especially small repairers or spare parts suppliers.

Some might view that as harsh but, like everybody else, all these guys don’t work for free. And the margins on repairs and spares are desperately low, like wafer thin.

Now that story changes is you can get the information, parts at sensible prices and so on but, for some brands or machines, that’s a pipe dream at best.

We’ve a whole manufacturer section that will often explain why the repairers won’t touch certain brands or products. Just as this video does to some extent.

I know that won’t help with your problem as such but I hope it allows you to perhaps better understand why you’re finding what you have a little better.

K.

[baldysmurf]

Re: Rangemaster Frost Free Problems

Thanks for the thorough and very informative reply K. The video is very interesting to say the least and if I do end up just replacing this unit it’s been a real eye opener in what to look out for next. That and the manufacturer section on the site here.

I noticed just last night that the wooden panel that’s attached to the front of the fridge doesn’t seem to be hung quite right and I have a suspicion it’s resulting in an incomplete seal on the door plus is catching on the kitchen unit. I’ll be adjusting it next to see if it helps, and if not likely be replacing completely.

Thanks again.

[Author]

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