I have a Vinotemp VT-12TEDS-2Z Dual Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler 12-Bottle, and the lights and temperature controls stopped coming on. Even the lights inside... However the wine is still being chilled. What can I do??
Refrigerators - VinoTemp - VT12TEDS2Z Wine Cooler
Answers & Comments
This cooler uses the Peltier effect = the current passing thru a very special resistance provides the cooling. Because of that there are effectively 2 separate electrical circuits inside your cooler:
1, the mains voltage that powers the Peltier element and the cooling fan - controlled by a relay
2. the low voltage that powers the control board and the display - this is the one that failed in your case.
To fix it you will have to open the front cover , access the board and test it: if it gets power then the board itself has failed; if it doesn't then its the power source and you will have to find out why it failed - probably it was damaged when another component failed and you will have to find out which one before putting a new source in.
It's a relatively complicated job that requires a good experience - if you don't have it then call an certified repairman.
The control panel is located under the front panel (the panel with the indicators) . To access it you must remove the panel, held in there by 4 screws and about 10 plastic clips. You must test it because an electronic part from the power source failed and must be replaced. No, you can't reset it because there's nothing in there to reset, just a thermostat, a temperature sensor, a basic analog controller with a command relay and a very simple LED indicator for each section. If you don't know how to test and replace a electronic part then it's time to call a repairman, there's nothing else you can do.