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Fridge not working on Gas

K

Karen_374313821

We have a dometic fridge in our van. It works perfectly on electric but when we try to put it on gas it will spark and light the pilot light but when you release the button the pilot light goes out. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong?

Thanks Karen
 
Karen, you do not say how old the fridge is or if it has been used on gas recently.

However, the usual causes of your problem are dirt on the burner, or a blocked venturi, or a worn gas valve.

Best solution is to have it serviced.
 
Hi Damian,

Thanks for your reply the fridge is only 4yrs old and was working perfectly on Gas up till 4 weeks ago when we run out of gas and changed the bottle. Not sure if this has anything to do with it or not. We only use it to cool the fridge down before we head away as we never use sites without ehu so it is not used that often but it was handy.

Karen
 
Hello Karen, the problem is the thermocouple, this is a saftey device designed to turn off the gas if the flame goes out,while the flame is alight the thermocouple is hot so the gas valve stays open, which is why you have to hold the button in for around 30 seconds when lighting the fridge.It is an easy job to do but the fridge will probably have to come out. I would leave it to the dealer unless you are competant with gas connections etc.......Mark
 
Hello Karen, the problem is the thermocouple, this is a saftey device designed to turn off the gas if the flame goes out,while the flame is alight the thermocouple is hot so the gas valve stays open, which is why you have to hold the button in for around 30 seconds when lighting the fridge.It is an easy job to do but the fridge will probably have to come out. I would leave it to the dealer unless you are competant with gas connections etc.......Mark
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Thanks Mark,

Is this a costly job? because as I said we don't really use the fridge on gas only to cool it down before we go away as we always use sites with ehu. I really don't want to spend a fortune on it.

Thanks again Karen
 
Thanks Mark,

Is this a costly job? because as I said we don't really use the fridge on gas only to cool it down before we go away as we always use sites with ehu. I really don't want to spend a fortune on it.

Thanks again Karen
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Iam sure the thermocouple isn't to expensive the main cost would be labour, if you could get the fridge out and refit yourselves, you could save a bit the actual job of fitting the thermocouple would only take about ten min's, while the fridge is out it would be wise to clean any dust etc from burner assembly and clean out the exhaust tube, and fit a new jet.
 
Hi karen,

Full timer might be right, it could be the thermocouple, but it is just likely it could be dirt or a spider web as Damien suggests.

In either case it the job should be carried out by a competent person working to the gas regulations., and it should not be too expensive.
 
There is one other possibility, try lighting the flame having first pulled off the control knob, you will need to set the knob into the correct lighting position first.

Now by just pressing the gas valves spindle in, you find it holds on when you let go then the remedy is simple. You will need to put a small spacer in the back of the knob so it does not go quite so far onto the spindle, 1mm to 2mm is plenty
 
Take the Fridge out turn upside down and shake for a few minutes.I done this to mine three years ago after it stopped working,and now its been working ever since,The gas settles and needs to be stired up,Good luck,,
 
Quote John L = "In either case it the job should be carried out by a competent person working to the gas regulations."

Interestingly, there are currently no gas regulations for working on gas appliances and pipework in a caravan. Whilst it's probably a good idea to call in a professional if you don't know what you're doing or not a competent DIYer, anyone can work on gas systems in a caravan. You only have to be CORGI registered for gas in the home but not in a caravan.
 
Eddie, that would only apply if the fridge was not working at all. As it is working on 240V and 12V, then the refrigerent is circulating OK as it uses the same refrigerent on all three systems.
 
Legsdown. strictly speaking you are correct, however whether it's the home or van you need in all cases to be competent.

Corgi is just a register of people who are deemed competent
 
Hello legsmanic.

What you say is not true. Touring Caravans are specifically identified within the Gas Safety Installation & Use Regulations, and thus the regulations do set out the statutory instruments covering gas installations within in them.

What they effectively say is that persons working on gas installations in touring caravans do not have to be a 'registered' fitter. It does not say that the other regulations do not apply. - They do in all respects and that is often forgotten.

The fitter must still be competent. All work must still be carried out in accordance with the relevant codes of practice for workmanship and safety. The relevant tests must be carried out to correctly to confirm the safe operation of the installation.

In all aspects of work (not just gas fitting) Health and Safety legislation supersede all codes or practice, and there is a duty to ensure that no person shall undertake work on a gas system unless competent to do so. All work must be carried out in a safe and competent manner. Non-compliance with H&S regs, is a dealt with through the criminal courts. Sanctions can include fines, prohibitions, and imprisonment. What is not widely appreciated is that this also applies to private individuals just as much as organisations.

The difficulty for the private individual is, how can they be demonstrably competent, without undergoing some assessment. Even a registered natural gas fitter may not have all the relevant skills and knowledge to deal with LPG and vice-versa.
 
Quote John L = "In either case it the job should be carried out by a competent person working to the gas regulations."

Interestingly, there are currently no gas regulations for working on gas appliances and pipework in a caravan. Whilst it's probably a good idea to call in a professional if you don't know what you're doing or not a competent DIYer, anyone can work on gas systems in a caravan. You only have to be CORGI registered for gas in the home but not in a caravan.
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PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE GAS REGS FOR LPG IT DOES NOT MATTER IN THE HOUSE OR IN THE CARAVAN
 
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