Hi folks,
I need some help figuring out the problem with my daughters small coca cola mini cooler.
When plugged in using the 125V power cord it came with and I slide the on switch to the cold or hot position nothing happens.
The hot or cold LED light (whichever position I switch it to) will blink for light a half second and that's it, the fan will not start. It's like there is no power going to the device.
I then tried it in my truck using its 12V plug ... and it turned on immediately.
Any suggestions on what could be wrong with it?
Thanks,

 

Really your best bet would be to contact Koolatron using the Contact Us link on their website. Less a good schematic all we can do is speculate. Since the unit does work on your 12 VDC truck power but does not work on 120 VAC mains power the logical guess is the unit has an internal 120 VAC to 12 VDC supply which likely is not working. Now how they do that is likely using a SMPS (Switch Mode Power Supply) but again, less a schematic or drawing it is all pure speculation.

Ron

 

My guess is the smpsu is duff,or fuse blown inside, take the back off and post pictures of the inside..

 

My guess is the smpsu is duff,or fuse blown inside, take the back off and post pictures of the inside..

 

Hi, Here are a few pictures of the inside.

 

My guess is the smpsu is duff,or fuse blown inside, take the back off and post pictures of the inside..

I thought about the fuse possibility but sort of discounted it because the cold/hot LED momentarily illuminates. Yeah, won't hurt to try and gently open it up and look for anything obvious and post some images.

Ron

 

I thought about the fuse possibility but sort of discounted it because the cold/hot LED momentarily illuminates. Yeah, won't hurt to try and gently open it up and look for anything obvious and post some images.

Ron

It sounds like an SMPS starting up, then being shut down because it discovers a problem - a typical fault condition.

 

Yep classic switchmode psu there, output on the left side with the blue electrolytic caps.

What's the big heatsink above it with yellow wires, peltier?

Need to measure the Voltages .

 

What's the big heatsink above it with yellow wires, peltier?

Yep.

 

It sounds like an SMPS starting up, then being shut down because it discovers a problem - a typical fault condition.

That would be my guess and since the thing runs on external 12 VDC my next guess is maybe a filter cap breaking down?

Ron

 

Are my eyes playing games or are the output caps swollen on top?

 

A capacitor may be the problem, another smaller chance option: you can try pluging it to a different electrical grid connector in a different room, which is not on the same circuit braker.

 

Are my eyes playing games or are the output caps swollen on top?

You may well be right:

 

Ahh, that does look a little puffy, especially as compared to its neighbor.

Ron

 

Are my eyes playing games or are the output caps swollen on top?

That's what I see. I'd replace both those caps and cross my fingers.

 

Hello,

In the other picture it looks like there are signs of an eruption:



Bertus