rm184 fridge problem on mains

[Shaundon]

reposted this from camping as thought it would be more at home here .....

Electrolux RM 184 3 way fridge

just checked my wiring as 220v wasnt working - seems some fool had wired the 220v side from live through the switch and the thermostat through the element and back to live!! neutral(blue) wasnt connected to anything!!

however on checking the 220v push switch on the front it seems a little dodgy , not always making the connection, sometimes have to switch it off and back on to make the connection.

Also the thermostat switch doesnt connect fully at all. Measuring the resistance across it , it varies between a few hundred ohms and several thousand ohms at random. I assume its a simple on off based on the temperature and not a variable resistor ? If so it should be closed(connected or 0 ohms across it) at room temperature if the fridge is turned up fully?

Can someone verify that?

I dont suppose you can get spares for these parts?

S.

[Shaundon]

Just looking through the web and came across this useful document for anyone fixing their fridge

http://www.westfaliat3.info/General_Dom ... Manual.pdf (Not sure if its been posted before ?)

Seems the combined gas/electric thermostat works on an on/off thermo switch in electric mode as I suspected - which means mine is definitely broken

Anyone know where I can get a new one??

[pirate-pete]

Just looking through the web and came across this useful document for anyone fixing their fridge

http://www.westfaliat3.info/General_Dom ... Manual.pdf (Not sure if its been posted before ?)

Seems the combined gas/electric thermostat works on an on/off thermo switch in electric mode as I suspected - which means mine is definitely broken

Anyone know where I can get a new one??

I think I need a stat too as on gas since last summer mine just seems to sit on low flame whatever the temp or thermostat setting. Works fine on electric though.

Parts diagram here http://procornerpdf.electrolux.com/stat ... 487331.PDF - see page 6 or so for the rm184.

The part for the thermostat 2929363006 shows it to be combined electric/gas in one piece unlike most of the Electrolux/Dometic spares commonly found. Googling that does not help too much apart from a couple of links to somewhere in Poland for 60 quids worth of Zlotys - not sure what postage is like or if they even ship to uk as I can't read Polish.

This one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dometic-20071 ... 1e885db67f" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; from USA looks very similar and the price not too bad if that shipping price correct. Same seller has a BuyIt Now for same part but with £72 postage showing up. One is probably postage the other UPS. As the RM184 is not listed as compatible in the listing it would be a gamble but I doubt voltage would be a problem for a simple on/off stat. Would also want the gas fitting parts to mate up - hopefully threads would be the same.

I'd advise avoiding this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electrolux-ca ... 43a81dbf15 - that looks like a generic electric only stat and not the combined gas/electric one you need. I have nothing against the seller - he does a good job in offering other parts and I'm sure I've bought in the past bits from him - just avoid that part unless he can confirm it is correct for RM184

[Shaundon]

Hi Pete,

I'd advise avoiding this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electrolux-ca ... 43a81dbf15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - that looks like a generic electric only stat and not the combined gas/electric one you need. I have nothing against the seller - he does a good job in offering other parts and I'm sure I've bought in the past bits from him - just avoid that part unless he can confirm it is correct for RM184

I saw that last one on ebay too - emailed him to ask about it as it didnt look anything like our combined one. No reply as yet, will keep you posted...

As to the american one , perhaps we could get some kinda group shipping going to reduce cost.

I havent tested mine on gas yet as i need someway of connecting it to a gas supply while on the bench (was intermittent while in the van on gas but not sure if that was because the fan was broken also)

I may try pulling mine apart to see if it can be repaired or fudged to always be on max perhaps...

Other option would be to wire an idependent thermostat up for when on mains but that wouldnt help the gas situation.

[Shaundon]

So i bypassed the thermostat and rewired it correctly and its now making ice on mains power

Want to test the gas system when its on the bench though so need to connect a gas bottle to the compression fitting on the fridge.

What type/size of connector is it and where can i get one?

[Ralf85]

What conversion is your van? What regulator are you using?

[Shaundon]

Its the standard westfalia club joker setup with westfalia 50mbar regulator on underslung tank.

Ive disconnected the fridge at the elbow just before the top of the fridge after the valves in the cupboard. Wanted to know what thread / size that elbow is so i can connect something else to the fitting on the fridge and connect it to a bottle (see photo).

gasconnect.jpg

S.

[Shaundon]

Ok got it hooked up to a 3.9Kg propane bottle and a 50mbar regulator i got for £10 on ebay.

Fridge works on gas but isnt as good as on 220v now! is this normal?

Also when on gas does the thermostat have 2 levels for the gas flame, ie turn thermostat down and it goes onto low flame, turn thermostat up and it goes onto high flame. Or should there be more than 2 levels??

S.