Can't get fridge to run on gas!

[Reimotim]

Hi,

I have a 3way fridge which works fine on electric and battery but not on gas.

I've checked the gas supply and it's fine.

I can hear the ignition firing and a gentle "woof" as the gas ignites, but then when I let go of the dial it goes out and the piezo starts firing again.

Anyone aware of a common problem / fault that can be solved?

Cheers

[jamesc76]

is the van level??

[Reimotim]

Levelish... To be honest I haven't tried it chocked up.

How does levelling up help? Is there a safety device?

[Oldiebut goodie]

Replace the thermocouple - levelling it up will not make any difference to the gas flame only to the flow of the mixture in the tubes at the back.

[PetenAli]

We have a similar problem i.e. a fridge that runs fine on 12v and 240v but wont stay alight on gas. The fridge is an RM182B. I have taken it apart and cleaned the jet as per advice on the Wiki. All we get is a "woof" and then a yellow flame which goes out whether or not the thermo couple overrride button is held in. I have the fridge out because of some other work that I'm doing to the van so want to take this opportunity to get it working properly.

I've also noted that the piezo igniter only seems to work intermittently - is it possible for these to fail and can they be replaced? Also the same knob that operates the igniter also operates an air pump which puts air into the chamber so that the gas will ignite. Presumeably this can wear out as well?

Is there anything else I should be trying?

Thanks,

Pete

[thehosepipe]

Sounds like the thermocouple.

You sure gas is flowing freely? Could be a blockage, slow flow, builds up when you hold down the starter, but not enough to keep going.

[1664]

and how long do you keep the knob pressed in after the gas has lit? If you release it immediately you may not be giving the thermocouple sufficient time to heat up.

[PetenAli]

and how long do you keep the knob pressed in after the gas has lit? If you release it immediately you may not be giving the thermocouple sufficient time to heat up.

Thanks both. I've definately been holding the failsafe override in for long enough.

There's a bit of an update. I've had the fridge connected to gas now its out of the van. Using the normal lighting instructions nothing happens. If I give the pump about 30 strokes, then hold in the override, then press the igniter, I get a loud "pop", a yellow flame seen through the sight glass and then nothing. If I don't give it a good pump nothing happens. I've also purged the system to make sure gas is getting through.

I think I'm going to strip the jet out again, also check the igniter is working properly and see if I can get it to light manually. That way I should also be able to check the thermocouple. I will also check what thehospipe says i.e. that the gas is flowing feely all the way through the system.

[1664]

Just in case you haven't seen these, there's a few fridge manual downloads under the 'camping' section here

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/pages/downloads.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Oldiebut goodie]

a yellow flame seen through the sight glass and then nothing. If I don't give it a good pump nothing happens.

The yellow flame means that the mixture isn't right - there isn't enough air getting to the flame. Giving it a pump delivers that extra air. You must have a blockage somewhere - either around the jet or the flue is blocked.

[PetenAli]

a yellow flame seen through the sight glass and then nothing. If I don't give it a good pump nothing happens.

The yellow flame means that the mixture isn't right - there isn't enough air getting to the flame. Giving it a pump delivers that extra air. You must have a blockage somewhere - either around the jet or the flue is blocked.

Thanks - I'll go through it tonight.

[Oldiebut goodie]

The flame should burn blue - if yellow you are running the risk of carbon monoxide and other nasties.

[PetenAli]

The flame should burn blue - if yellow you are running the risk of carbon monoxide and other nasties.

Thanks again. This is strange...

I have stripped all the gas pipes down and blown through them. There did seem to be some crud in one section (the top section where the gas first comes in to the fridge).

I have blown through both inlet and exhaust flue pipes and the bottom drain pipe. All three are clear (I can blow air through the bottom pipe and it comes out of the two flue pipes).

There is plenty of gas coming down to the jet and burner.

I took the burner housing apart again and whoopee was able to light the burner using the piezo ignition (this was while the burner housing was apart). Everything worked perfectly - the thermocouple heated up after about 10 seconds and kept the gas flow going (if I let go of the knob too soon it went out). I had a perfect blue flame as well.

Carefully put everything back together again and tried to light it - same problem i.e. pump some air in, hold in the fail safe knob, press the ingniter and get a small explosion of yellow flame and then nothing. I've tried putting air down the flue, up the drain pipe and pumping - all with the same result.

If anyone has any more ideas I'd be hugely grateful

All this taking it apart isn't doing the burner housing gasket any good either. Phoned Ashbridge Domestics to discover that both gasket and jet are now obsolete. Doeas anyone know of any other sources?

[DentedDevon]

Hi,

I have a 3way fridge which works fine on electric and battery but not on gas.

I've checked the gas supply and it's fine.

I can hear the ignition firing and a gentle "woof" as the gas ignites, but then when I let go of the dial it goes out and the piezo starts firing again.

Anyone aware of a common problem / fault that can be solved?

Cheers

Try this first
Make sure the knob is not hitting the fascia panel befor the spindle is fully depressed. To check just try lighting it without the knob fitted.

Next make sure the thermocouple connection to the back of the gas valve is tight , usually 8mm nut, but dont overtighten.

Check you have a good flame and the tip of the thermocouple is in it.
If yes, then it probably a faulty thermocouple or possibly the magnetic insert inside the gas valve.

Finally tell us what model of fridge you have (or post a pic of it) , it may help with more specific advice