Fridge problem again...

[killerme]

I did a big cleanout of the fridge last year and it worked really well. I checked it during the winter and it was still working then. However, come the summer now and it seems to have stopped. It never worked anyway on hook up (I never use this) but it was working fine on gas and 12v. Now it works only on 12v. When I switch all the gas on and the front switch to gas, and turn the thermostat dial to full on - I think I should have the red signal light on (but there isnt one) When I push in the ignition control button in, it should click (but it doesn't).

In my photo, I think area A is the input for the gas side of things (and has 12 v coming in OK). Both red wires going into C have 12v - as does the feedwire into the box to the right of this. The wire going into the ignition control at B doesn't appear to have any current.

Can anyone suggest what tests I can do to try to identify what bits aren't working?
I'm pretty basic on electrics but VERY keen to learn more.

[killerme]

Tried to send the photo but when I try to include it, it says "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached"

??

[MidLifeCrisis]

Tried to send the photo but when I try to include it, it says "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached"

??

You need to 'host' the picture on Flickr or Photobucket or some such site then link to it in your post ....

[hawkeye]

When it stopped working on mine it was the igniter unit , think it was about £20 from local caravan centre , they tested my old one for me so can't help with wiring sorry.

[killerme]

does this work?

http://s288.photobucket.com/user/killerme4/story" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MidLifeCrisis]

does this work?

http://s288.photobucket.com/user/killerme4/story" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yep - or you could do this;

[killerme]

Lol - I shall have to learn how to do that - and how to put a signature on your posts. But for the now - can anyone help with the electrics?

[killerme]

this is a 2nd pic showing 12v on entry (I'm really just practising bringing another photo in!)

[MidLifeCrisis]

I don't have quite the same fridge as this so I'm guessing a bit but is that small white 'box' with the blue and black wires going to it the light that flashes when the fridge ignitor is trying to light the gas?
If so - and it's not working - I'd suggest you take a look at where the sparker is at the back of the fridge and ensure that the sparker is located correctly so that it can produce a spark (i.e. close but not touching) - maybe a pic of that area might help?

[Oldiebut goodie]

[killerme]

Went up to the van this morning to find it was clicking away like mad. I photoed the burner area see below and then measured it at about 2/16". I adjusted this to be about 3/16" (and of course it stopped working). I then put it back to about 2/16th". It doesn't seem to be working at all now but I am leaving it on in case it starts up again. It seem to be very temperamental at best.

Any ideas?

[MidLifeCrisis]

Are all the ground connections on the fridge nice and clean?
I'd fiddle around with the electrode distance and see if you can get it working.
Its possible that the ignitor box (the black box on the top of fridge) might be putting out a weak voltage I guess - but not sure how you'd test that.

[Oldiebut goodie]

As ^^^^ check that the burner has a good earth itself.
I am not certain as to what is not working when it stops. Is it the spark generator stops clicking or the spark stops?
If the generator is clicking and the spark is missing it will likely be shorting out, sometimes the ceramic holder cracks due to people trying to bend the electrode.
(The thermocouple looks as though the tip is melting away also in that pic - if it is you might as well replace that while you are there - saves having to haul the fridge out again soon when it fails)
It seems like the generator is failing if all the connections are clean and tight.

[killerme]

When not working before, neither the spark or the click was happening. I take the point about the thermocouple end.

After leaving it about an hour it has started clicking and igniting again. Now switching on and off - it works fine. It is as though after cleaning all the bits it now works but only after a charge has built up. Is that possible? Could that be connected with the igniter box having a weak voltage?

I intend to clean all grounds, including the burner earth. I will probably order a new thermocouple end. Can you get the igniter box from anywhere? Any other suggestions about replacements?

[Oldiebut goodie]

Just get a universal thermocouple off ebay (£4 compared with anything up to £40 for dometic). Measure what length you need - you can coil any extra but should be able to get close to the length. http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... le&_sop=15
I would say that it is a sign that the spark generator is starting to fail. Someone else may be able to help with more info on that. Do all the connections before you write it off though.
Someone else may be able to help with a cheap replacement - I would suggest a piezo one but for the fact that these are designed to work by restarting the ignition automatically if the flame goes out. It looks like new ones are in the £60 to £70 region on ebay