Westy fridge Electrolux 184?

[California Dreamin]

I've had this thing apart more times than you could shake a stick at...there in lies the problem...the spark lead and plug (whatever you call them) has basically burnt away to nothing, the wire electrode, whats left of it, has been bent that many times I can't actually remember the correct position now I have a new one to fit. By position I mean...does the electrode point earth to the thermo coupling? has anyone got a schematic/picture or drawing to show it's correct location and GAP.

Cheers very muchly.

Martin

[Oldiebut goodie]

From the general dometic service manual:

[PetenAli]

From the general dometic service manual:

I hope that helps California Dreamin - its certainly helped me as I've had mine apart more times than I can remember and can get it to light easily when its out and the burner is apart but as soon as I put it back together - nothing. I will have another go and see if an adjustment makes a difference.

California Dreamin - are you able to reveal the source of where you got the part from as I've had a lot of bother with getting parts for mine?

Thanks both.

[t3trooper]

Try these people http://bjleisure.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; they are on ebay also, they seem to have a few parts in stock

steve

[California Dreamin]

Thanks Oldiebut goodie...that has been most useful
Your info has cleared up two things...1: that the tip grounds to the middle of the burner and not to the thermo coupling probe...and 2: Has a gap of 3/16ths inch (4.76mm) which is wider than I had thought.

Cheers.....

The one I am using is almost identicle to the original but a Theford Part (couldn't find the electrolux part so this is a good second best)

http://www.thecaravanspecialists.co.uk/ ... d=Thetford" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; spark

The cable length is about 25cm longer and it has a spade terminal instead of a small bullet type (2 minute job to shorten and put a new terminal on.)

Cost just over £11.00 posted.

Martin

[PetenAli]

Thanks for that info CD - will check them out.

Let us know how yours goes on...

[California Dreamin]

OK....I have now fitted the thetford part and this is what I found:

The electrode end wire is L shaped but is bent 180 degrees out, so needs straightening and bending the other way (points to 9 O'clock instead of 3 O'clock) the rod is easy to bend so that wasn't much of an issue, although be careful to hold the wire electrode with a second pair of mole grips close to the porcelin insulator to avoid cracking it. Also the electrode rod is quite long on the new part so needed about 15mm cutting from the end...again not a problem..The good point is: the actual bracket fitment is the same so fits straight on without modification.

The other difference is the teminal end is a spade on the Thetford part so was cut off and replaced (soldered) with the small bullet terminal off the old wire, at the same time I shortened the overall length by some 20cm or so.

Obviously if you can get the correct Electrolux part then there is no messing around but as I suspect if you find it difficult to get then this will definately fit with some slight bending/cutting and soldering.

http://www.thecaravanspecialists.co.uk/ ... d=Thetford" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin

[PetenAli]

Thanks for that CD. Yours is working OK now?

[California Dreamin]

Just refitted everything this morning...set the electrode gap across the centre of the burner at 3/16ths (5mm), used a manual push button piezo off my BBQ to check the spark is happening in the right place (as per oldiebut goodie's diagram) and there was a lovely clear blue spark.
Refitted the shields etc. routed the spark wire away from any obvious points of earth to avoid premature arcing.
Refitted the fridge
Turned the gas on/pushed in the button and it lit within 4 sparks. ran it for 15 minutes, turned it off, let it stand for ten, lit again straight away.

The difference is now it doesn't struggle to ignite and it doesn't make a big popping noise 7 - 8 times before it actually does light.

Fingers crossed but it looks like it's job done.

Martin

[PetenAli]

Thats a result then!

I will follow your example and see if i can get mine to light. All I get is the popping sound and it wont even light on gas when the burner is all done up. It will light first time every time when the burner is apart but that's not a lot of good. I think it should be worth salvaging as it works well on 240volt and 12volt.

Thanks CD.

Pete

[California Dreamin]

Could be something very simple, for example......when I put the retaining screw in for the retaining bracket (on the end) the spark was shorting across to the tip of the screw DOH! put a shorter screw in to cure this.
5mm clearance, centre of the burner.....

Martin