faulty dometic fridge

[jonah]

Hi. I have got a sterling elite searcher and when i first connect up the fridge works fine, but after a day or so it ceases working anybody had this happen and any advice on what to do .Ps it works fine on gas but the fumes it gives out are unbearable. Thanks Jonah

 

[Jennifer_374461363]

No idea on the problem, but wanted to say that there should be no fumes when on gas.

Please get it checked out.

 

[johnwolves]

hi brother in law got 2009 coachman amara not sure if same fridge , looked on web says a thetford fitted ,like yours ok to start but after day not working on electric , could not get to work on gas took to local dealer picked back up no fault found , plugged in at home still the same booked back in again , is / was your van on level ground can play up if not fully level , word of warning supplying dealer most unhelpfull in resolving matter again got money so s#d off can,t name but location opposite to north ##### where early man used to dwell #### work out for yourself , cheers john

 

[Guest]

Just note that the fridge will smell quite badly the first time it is operated on gas. This is normal and once things settle down it should stop. This is applicable to any gas appliance. Obviously, if it does not settle down then there is a problem. The only way gas fumes can enter the caravan is if the fridge has not been installed correctly regardless of make. If you can see daylight around the sides or top of the fridge, then you have a problem with installation.

For a fridge to stop working on electric after afew days is strange and I can only think that there is a fault with the heating element and possibly a replacement would solve the problem.

 

[Chris_374413356]

I had a fridge problem a few years ago, suddenly and for no apparent reason it stopped working on gas and electric.

The problem was sorted by removing the fridge and rolling around the lawn for 10 minutes (No this isn't a wind up) It seems the lubricant in the refrigerent seperates thus causing the closed loop refrigeration cycle to stop working.

Of course you could leave the fridge in place and turn the caravan upsidedown.

Worth a try, heaper than a new fridge.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I am sorry to pour cold water on chris's idea,

To remove a fridge means you have to uncouple a gas connetion.

By law this can only be carried out by a compenet person working to the gas regulations.

Unless you are fully conversant with the relevant regulations the job is not for you and it must be refered to a compente person.

The same applies to installtion, service and repeiars for ALL gas appliances.

 

[rayc]

I'm surprised that elf & safety still allow you to change your gas bottles.

 

[Chris_374413356]

Not the Nanny State again, I hope the country never has to actually make something, I'm sure we could find a thousand reasons why it is unsafe to even get out of bed in the morning.

Isn't it time we stopped hiding behind excuses not to do normal common sense things and give people some credit and acknowledgment for their efforts and I'm sure most caravaners are competent to remove a pipe union and replace it without telling the 'elf and safety.

Some of us need to get a life and live in the real world.

 

[Glenn_5132962]

Agree completely. You break into the gas system everytime you change the bottle ffs!!

 

[Clive-Cardiff]

Hi Jonah, We have had a load of trouble with our Dometic fridge over the last 18 months. We had a lot of different problems; one of with was the strong fumes in the van. On one occasion when we were off on a trip the following day I put the fridge on gas while in storage. When we got to the van the following day the CO2 alarm was going constantly and you could not breath in the van.

After a lot of tooing and froing with the Dometic rep having the burner changed many times he found that the fridge was putting out 300ppm of CO2 (should be in single figures apparently).

In our case the caravan manufacturer had fitted the fridge in without sealing it against the fumes entering the van. Also the method of sealing went against the instructions in the Dometic book.

I would suggest that you do not use the fridge on gas until this is sorted out because it is very dangerous.

If you contact me though the mods I can give you a contact number and name at Dometic Technical.

 

[jonah]

Thanks everyone had it fixed today it was the circuit board.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Not the Nanny State again, I hope the country never has to actually make something, I'm sure we could find a thousand reasons why it is unsafe to even get out of bed in the morning.

Isn't it time we stopped hiding behind excuses not to do normal common sense things and give people some credit and acknowledgment for their efforts and I'm sure most caravaners are competent to remove a pipe union and replace it without telling the 'elf and safety.

Some of us need to get a life and live in the real world.

Chris.

I assume you commented on my posting.

I have worked in the LPG gas industry, and had to investigate a some incidents where people have been injured. The vast majority of these incidents have been the result of incompetent work usually carried out by the untrained owner or user on the gas system or appliances. These people used what was to them 'common sense' and it nearly cost some of their families lives.

'Common Sense' is dangerous and usually wrong. That is why the regulations are so tight on gas appliances. LPG is a great and safe fuel when it is used properly.

None of these people did the proper checks to ensure their work was up to scratch, Gas soundness testing etc.

You are in no position to make any judgement about my life or values, Clearly I have one already, and I don't need to get another but I am keen to save lives!

Are you?