Dometic F400 User manual

207.5055.02
Explorer 3 Way Fridge Freezer
F400
Operating Instructions
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Thank you for choosing our appliance. We are sure it will provide you with trouble-free use.
In the following, we would like to familiarise you with some symbols, which we bring to your attention to ensure
the safe and efficient operation of the appliance:
source of danger, in event of improper operation
suggested useful tips to read
information concerning environmental protection
The Freezer / Refrigerator you have purchased is designed for operation on 240 Volt electrical mains, from a
12 Volt battery or from bottled (LP) gas.
It can be used to transport frozen food or used as a normal refrigerator, depending on the settings (see the
relevant capitels).
Important!
Do not operate this appliance in any unvented enclosed areas such as tents or motor
vehicles. Fresh air circulation must be available to the unit at all times.
Important!
Only operate this appliance on one energy source at a time.
Please read these operating instructions carefully before putting the
refrigeration unit into operation. If you later sell or dispose of it, please ensure
that the new owner receives these operating instructions.

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CONTENT
CONTENTS S
1. Unpacking
2. View of the appliance
3. Cleaning
4. Positioning the appliance
5. Using the appliance
5.1. From 240 Volt electrical mains
5.2. From 12 Volt vehicle battery
5.3. From LP bottled gas
6. Useful suggestions
7. Defrosting, cleaning and maintenance
8. Trouble shooting
9. Putting into operation, technical data
9.1. Connecting to 240 Volt electrical mains
9.2. Connecting to 12 Volt vehicle battery
9.3. Connecting to LP bottled gas cylinder
9.4. Connection of gas supply
10. Environmental protection information
11. Recycling

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1. Unpacking
After removal from the cardboard packaging, make
sure the appliance is not damaged. If you find damage
to the appliance resulting from transport, report it
immediately to the transportation firm.
2. View of the appliance
1. insulated casing
2. insulated lid
3. control panel
4. rear cover
Figure 1.

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Figure 2.
3. Cleaning
Clean both the inside and outside of the
appliance before putting it into use.
To do so, use a soft towel, lukewarm water and a
non-abrasive detergent. Ensure water does not
enter the rear cover grill or the control panel.
Afterwards, wipe the appliance with a clean towel
and cleanwater, and then wipe it dry.
To avoid damage, do not use soap, soda or
abrasive cleaners.
4. Positioning the appliance
During the refrigeration process, the appliance
gives off heat from the condenser (under the
upper part of the rear cover) into the surrounding air.
The more ventilated the condenser is, the more
effective the refrigeration will be.
For maximum performance the appliance must
be level at all times when operating. If the
appliance is operating in a moving vehicle, the
amount of the refrigeration will be slightly less
than if the appliance is level in a stationary
position.This is caused by the movement of the
vehicle impairing the flow of the refrigerant within
the unit.
It is important that the appliance is not directly
exposed to radiated heat (sunlight, radiator, near
an oven, etc.).
5. Using the appliance
The cable for 240 Volt mains connection, the 12V
connection and the gas inlet are located on the rear
cover of the Freezer/Refrigerator (Figure 2).
5.1. Operating from 240 Volt
electrical mains
Make sure the voltage shown on the data plate of the
appliance matches that of the mains voltage to which
you wish to connect the appliance. Pull out the mains
connecting cable and connect it to a receptacle
earthed socket for connection.
When connecting the appliance for the first time, set
the thermostat to maximum; then, after about five
hours, set it back towards minimum, according to your
cooling needs. If you want to use the box as a freezer
then leave the thermostat setting on the maximum.
NB: Plug is provided according to specific
regulations in each country and may be different to
that shown.

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Figure 3.
Figure 4.
Figure 5.
5.2. Operating from 12 Volt
vehicle battery
Make sure the voltage shown on the data plate of the
appliance matches the voltage of the vehicle battery
(12V).
In 12V operation, the appliance runs continuously
without temperature control.
The appliance is supplied with a matching pair of
12 Volt MALE + FEMALE plugs (see 9,2
connection to vehicle power source).
For 12V operation, make sure, if the engine is not
running, that the switch is turned off. Otherwise, the
appliance will discharge the vehicle battery when in
operation.
5.3. Operating from LP bottled gas
Connection to the gas cylinder is described in
sections 9.3. and 9.4.
After opening the valve of the gas cylinder and
checking for gas leaks (Figure 4) turn thermostat to
maximum position, press down the gas safety valve
and at the same time, press the piezo-ignition button
(marked with a star) several times in quick succession.
If the flame does not ignite, repeat the process. (Air in
the appliance gas line prior to connection to the gas
cylinder must be purged. Only then can the gas be lit.)
Ignition of the flame can be verified through the flame-
view opening (Figure 5). After you have the flame
alight keep the safety gas valve pressed down for a
further 10 seconds.
The thermostat should be set to a maximum symbol to
get the freezer function. To use the cooling function
the thermostat should be set towards minimum,
depending on the ambient temperature.

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6. Useful suggestions
When setting out on a trip, run the appliance on
240 V (in thermostat setting between min and
max for cooling and "max" for freezing) for 24
hours prior to departure. Place food in a pre-
cooled condition into the appliance.
Frost forms on the evaporator panel when in
operation. When opening the lid or putting in
food, some of this frost melts and collects in the
form of water on the bottom of the appliance.
Wipe the water off occasionally using a sponge.
Avoid putting foods with fragile packaging (such
as glass) into the refrigeration unit. Movements
and shaking of the unit may cause these items to
break.
Once the F400 is in its permanent position,
make sure foods do not come into contact with
the evaporator panel, as this can cause freezer-
burn to the foods.
The appliance is not operated on 12 Volts when
your vehicle is parked, otherwise you will drain
the battery in a short time.
Only one power source is used at a time to run
the appliance.
7. Defrosting, cleaning and
maintenance
For defrosting, always unplug the appliance from an
electrical power source to avoid the risk of shock.
Make sure no other power source is connected (gas
or 12V). Remove food from the refrigeration unit and
leave the lid open. Depending on the temperature,
frost melts in a short time from the evaporator panel,
with water collecting at the bottom of the appliance.
Wipe it off using a towel. Afterwards, clean the
appliance by following the instructions in section 3.
Leave the lid ajar to prevent any odours from forming.
The appliance is serviced depending on use, at least
once a year by an authorised service agent.

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8. Trouble shooting
Before calling a service technician please check
carefully the operating instructions, service booklet
and the warranty terms and conditions:
Are location and ventilation satisfactory?
Is the appliance level?
Is there a current in the wall socket and is the
connection suitable for the appliance?
Is the mains power cable damaged?
For mains operation, is the electric thermostat
swiched on?
For gas operation, was the safety valve knob
pressed down long enough?
Is the thermostat knob set towards the maximum
position?
Is the gas cylinder or the pressure regulator valve
open?
Is there any gas in the cylinder? (If by shaking, no
liquid movement can be detected, then the
cylinder is empty.)
Is more than one power source connected (such
as gas or electricity)?
Was warm food placed in the unit?
Was a large quantity of food put in at one time?
9. Putting into operation
You must, in all instances, operate the
appliance from a single energy source only.
Connecting several energy sources at the same time
will cause failure of the appliance.
Technical data:
9.1 Connecting to 240 Volt
electrical mains
Make sure no other energy source is connected
(gas, 12V).
The appliance may only be operated from nominal
voltage mains as shown on the data plate. The
appliance mains plug may be connected to a mains
socket earthed in accordance with regulations.
Model F400
Type JCB-3
Gross volume 39 litre
Mains operation 240V (AC)
Input 120W (0,5 Amps)
Energy consumption 2.1 kWh/24h
Battery operation 12V (DC)
Input 120W (10 Amps)
Energy consumption 240Ah/24h
Gas pressure (p) 2.75kPa (11 water gauge)
Gas type LP
Jet size 28
Gas consumption 0,86 Mj/h
Climate class N
Refrigerant 550g NH3Absorption

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9.2 Connecting to 12 Volt vehicle
battery
Make sure no other energy source is connected (gas,
240V).
The 12V female socket is on the backwall of the
appliance, while the male plug is an accessory
supplied with your new F400.
Connect the wires from the 12 Volt battery to the male
plug (see recommended 12 Volt wiring for vehicle).
Secure earth wire firmly (Polarity is not important).
See fig. 6.
Attention: Connection to the positive pole may
only be made through a 16A fuse!
The 12V operation is cut off by disconnecting the plug.
Push the fixing tab with a screw-driver as can be seen
in fig. 7. after that the plug can be disconnected.
Recommended 12 Volt wiring for vehicle:
Two wires must be run direct to the battery one to
each terminal. These wires must be no less than 6
mm2auto cable and kept to a practical minimum
length. A 16 Amp fuse must be fitted in the positive
lead as close as practical to the battery terminal. A 16
Amp switch may be fitted in a convenient position to
switch the current on or off to the appliance.
All electrical connections must be of good quality to
avoid voltage drop.
Note: it is NOT recommended to run this 12 Volt
appliance from a 12 Volt cigarette lighter outlet.
9.3 Connecting to LP gas cylinder
Make sure no other energy source is connected
(240V, 12V).
The unit must not be connected to town or natural gas
pipelines. It is only suitable for use with propane gas.
The F400 is equipped for a specific gas-pressure,
2.75kPa (11 w. g.) . The rating-plate states the
pressure that is correct. It is important that a non-
adjustable pressure-regulator is used to reduce the
pressure in the gas cylinder to the operating pressure
specified on the rating-plate. No other pressure may
be used.
Needle valve-operated gas control taps are NOT
suitable for use with this appliance and must not be
used as a substitute for a pressure regulator.
Figure 6.
Figure 7.

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9.4 Connection of gas supply
Always connect in the following sequence:
GAS BOTTLE →PRESSURE-REGULATOR →
→ APPLIANCE.
To connect the pressure regulator to the gas
bottle, the valve of the gas bottle must be closed.
Connect the pressure regulator to the bottle by
screwing firmly. The pressure regulator must be
compatible for propane 11" water gauge.
(2.75KPA)
To connect the appliance to the regulator an
approved flexible gas hose must be used, this
hose should be of a minimum length. Connect
the gas hose to the Pressure Regulator by
screwing, ensure this is a gas tight connection.
When fitting the gas hose from the pressure
regulator to the appliance be sure to use two
spanners one to hold the gas connection at the
back of the appliance to avoid straining and
possible damage.(Fig. 8)
The gas bottle (Propane) may only be used in an
upright position and particular care must be taken
every time the appliance is connected to the gas
bottle to ensure that there are no leaks, that the
tubing (rubber hose) is not under tension or kinked,
and that it is not in contact with hot surfaces.
The tubing and the gas bottle should always be
located in positions where they will not be tripped
over or otherwise inadvertently disturbed.
Before attempting to light the burner, every time
after connection, turn on the gas at the bottle and
check the gas connections for leaks by applying a
soap and water solution over them and watching for
bubbles, which would indicate a leak.
After testing dry off traces of detergent.
For your safety:
Do not check for leaks with a naked flame! Do not smoke while checking for leaks!
Figure 8.
appliance
turn

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10. Environmental protection
information
The appliance does not contain any CFCs.
Ammonia (natural hydrogen and nitrogen compound)
is used as a refrigerating agent in the refrigeration unit.
The ozone-friendly cyclopentane is activated as a
motive agent for the PU foam insulation.
Sodium chromate is used for corrosion protection
(less than 2 weight % of the coolant).
11. Recycling
After unpacking the appliance, the packing materials
should be delivered to a local collection site. At the
end of its useful lifetime, the appliance should be
delivered to a specialised collection and reprocessing
firm, which reclaims the usable materials. The rest is
properly destroyed.
This appliance complies with the following EEC
directives:
LVD-Directive 73/23/EEC with amendment
90/683/EEC
EMC-Directive 89/336/EEC
Gas-Directive 90/396/EEC.

Printed by Xerox Hungary Ltd. Rev.: 2003. 01. 23.