fridge problem

[monkeymagic68]

Hi all
can anyone give me any advise on my fridge its not igniting on gas, I've checked the thermal couple and it seems to be in right position, any other ideas.
Thanks in advance

 

[Damian]

Simple answer, GET an engineer to sort it out for you.
It is telling you it needs a service.
The fact it is not igniting has NOTHING to do with the thermocouple

 

[Gagakev]

Have you got one of the newer type of regulators that tend to clog up after time?
Have you got gas to cooker etc?
Just a thought.

 

[birdman101]

Has the gas isolation tap been turned off at the manifold block supplying all gas appliances..Can you see the igniter spark.The thermocouple does not stop it lighting,only warms up when flame is alight to keep gas valve open.

 

[Willi-Wonti]

My fridge is at the rear of the van, so after connecting my 13 kg propane cylinder, I have to get all of the air out of the system before I can get it to light.
The easiest way for me is to light the hob which is above the fridge, then light the fridge.
When was the fridge last serviced?

 

[waffler]

You don't say what fridge it is but Dometic had a problem with gas igniters in about 2006/7. If yours has been used on electric for all the years it might be that. The igniter was replaced.

 

[RichardJ]

Quick question is it level? i had a fridge taht would not work, answer not level...

 

[monkeymagic68]

Hi all
The fridge is a thetford n80 it is igniting just won't stay lit when button is released, the van is parked on a slight incline, could that be a source of the problem

 

[ProfJohnL]

A slight incline, won't stop it from satying alight, but it might stop the refrigerant from functioning.
Don't mess around with it your self, get it looked at by a professional.

 

[TD42]

usually if the pilot light ignites but will not stay lit when the button is released,its the thermocouple at fault & needs to be replaced. if that fails to clear the fault then an expert is needed. probably the best bet in the first place is the expert.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Even changing a thermocouple involves dismantling part of the gas combustion system to gain access. Unless you are trained and compent in installing, servicing, or repairing, for your safety refer the job to a professional.

The use of a professional gas safe registered fitter is a legal requirement for domestic and commercial installations.

 

[Beehpee]

I find it difficult to believe that there is anything dangerous in changing a thermocouple, I changed a couple in my caravan and it comes already assembled at the right length with a nut at each end, there was no dismantling to do other than undo the nut at each end of the old one and then the reverse to put the new one in, there are no gas joints involved to undo so I really can't see that this is a job that any one with even limited skills could not do themselves, a new thermocouple costs less than a tenner, getting a gas safe engineer would make a cheap job much more expensive, maybe I'm missing something and if someone can explain why it's dangerous I will never advocate self changing of them again. BP

 

[Dustydog]

Beehpee
Whilst I have no doubt what you say is true, the fact remains that playing around with gas equipment is to say the least dangerous unless you know exactly what you are doing.
How do you know the gas jet is not blocked in part, inefficient combustion is taking place, the correct gas pressure is reaching the burner, the flue is not blocked etc.
For the newbies on here , err on the side of caution , listen to our resident expert Damien and consult an expert who will diagnose the problem and effect the remedy.

 

[Damian]

The fridge not staying alight can be due to one , or more, issues.
Almost everyone immediately jumps to the conclusion that the thermocouple must be at fault whem in fact it is not the case, they tend to be very reliable.

Failing to stay alight may be due to a poor gas pressure, a blocked flue , a malfunctioning gas valve, a worn gas valve spindle, or with Thetford fridges, an additonal issue with the electronics board.

To change any part will require the fridge to be removed, as will correct servicing of the unit, which should only be done by a suitably qualified person.

Even more important with Thetford fridges is the absolute need for it to be fully sealed on refitment.

Failure to ensure a fully gas tight seal around the fridge will allow flue gases to enter the van and probably kill you.

For those who say the amount would be minimal and cause for no concern should ask the two couples I have been to with fridge problemsm, only to be beaten to them by the Paramedics.

DONT take risks with gas and its combustion products.

 

[xtrailman]

A lot of fridges are not fitted gas tight by the installers, hence numerous complaints of draughts from fridge tops, sides etc.
But how many people die as a result ?
For a tenner i would change the thermocouple, but first check that the 12 volt is present .
If you do have to remove the gas pipe connection use a gas leak spray to check for leaks.

 

[Damian]

Quote"
A lot of fridges are not fitted gas tight by the installers, hence numerous complaints of draughts from fridge tops, sides etc.
But how many people die as a result ?"

The problem does not raise its head with Electrolux or Dometic fridges as the exhaust flue is directed outside the van.
Thetford fridges do NOT vent outside the van, they exhaust INSIDE the van body and rely on convection and a very good room seal to not allow fumes into the van.

How many people have died,,,none that I know of but I do know of directly attributable to the fridge , but I know of two who came close.
However, there are quite a lot of deaths recorded attributable to Carbon Monoxide poisoning in caravans, static vans and leisure accomodation in lots of different places.

I guess its just how much you value your life.

My life is worth much more than taking risks.

 

[Guest]

Look, the problem here is fixing a faulty fridge, the point being missed is, fridges are not quite as straight forward to fix as is presumed?
For a start, the thermocouple is probably the least likely reason, it don't matter then if it's only a tenner and 'easy' to change, it's a total waste of time and money if it's unlikely to fix it!
For the record, of 100's I've never changed a thermocouple because it's gone faulty of it's own accord, albeit, I've changed one or two burnt out due to incorrect fitting!
To fix a fridge, you need to know exactly how it should work, then and only then can it be determined what needs doing and what does not, anything else is feeling around in the dark. Even if you get it working, you can never be sure it's fixed, only that it works of a fashion
With that in mind and depending on age, I would first suspect the burner, early ones rusted badly, cleaning works but enlarges the slots so gets it working but dangerously, it MUST be replaced.
It's knowing this information and more that's important... not part swapping and guessing!

 

[Beehpee]

I did say in my post I wanted someone to explain why it's dangerous/inadvisable for an unqualified person to change a thermocouple and Damien has done exactly that, I can see now why this should not be attempted, thanks Damien for your concise explanation. BP

 

[xtrailman]

The fitting instructions for a Dometic fridge do say the fridge must be packed around.
I would of thought that if this wasn't required then Dometic wouldn't mention it?

I quite agree changing items on the off chance isn't the ideal fault finding route.
But it could save a expensive call out from a expert.
Thermocouples do fail, i changed enough when i worked, admittedly it wasn't a caravan fridge i would be repairing, but a central heating boiler, or a gas or oil preheater.

 

[Damian]

You are quite right, Dometic do say to pack around the fridge, BUT, and its a big BUT, it is not for the same life saving reason for Thetford fridges to be meticulously sealed.
With Electrolux and Dometic it is to reduce drafts from the vents, the flue opens to the atmosphere and the flue gases are rapidly diluted to insignificant levels of toxicity.

Thermocouples do indeed fail but it is very rare on leisure vehicle fridges, and the type of thing you worked on is a different beast to a LV fridge, for starters they tend to be in use a lot more than a RV Fridge.
No one is asking people to get an "Expert" (a term I hate to hear) just a suitably QUALIFIED engineer.

Changing an item in the hope of achieving a "fix" is silly.
By the time you find it is not the "bit" you thought, you have spent the money and time wastefully, and then on to the next "bit",more time and money.