Re-posted for Patrick

[Lord Braykewynde]

patrick hello

4 Jul 2007 00:19 AM

hello folks just bought a 1992 lunar meteorite with literally everything you need to start caravanning for £800 is this a good price i dont know much about the used van prices, used it last weekend in sundrum just outside ayr we had a great time except that i could not get the fridge lit on gas it worksd fine on 12v and 230,i rang halleys of burnhouse and was told if i disconnected it myself and brought it in they would charge me £100 is this the norm because it sounds a bit steep to me but then again i am very new to this game, all replys very welcome. ps everybody i asked for advice on the site were very helpfull

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Patrick,

The most common cause of the Truma space heater or the Dometic fridge failing to work on gas is - insects.

They seem to enjoy building a nest (particularly spiders) in the burner tube, either blocking the vent or shorting out the electrical ignitor.

You should be able to gain access to the fridge through the two external vent covers - the bottom one fo rthe gas jet - flip the cover off and clean, then try again.

The whole process is covered in the Haynes "Caravan Manual 3rd Edition" - about

 

[patrick_374306178]

thanks very much robert i think i will have a go at it myself, i rang a local mobile caravan man and he said its

 

[rob_jax]

It's probably reasonable - a standard service takes 2 or so hours, plus there are a few consummable items (lubricants, one-shot nuts or locking pins, rubber gas piping, etc.), plus the fuel used to drive to you.

Maybe you should consider geting the caravan serviced professionally - talk with the guy as he does the job and try to get an idea of what's involved - then if you are reasonably DIY savvy decide if you can do the job yourself - and read the Haynes manual too.

Having the van serviced should mean that the brake balance and adjustment should be properly set-up and you'll have a good sarting point for next year.

Also be aware that tyres may look perfectly good, but they need changing before their 6th birthday.

Robert

 

[Cathryn1]

HI Patrick

As rob-jax suggests - I'd get the caravan serviced professionally for this first time if I were you. After the service you should get a tick list (bit like the MOT sheet) telling you what they've checked and that it's ok, or they may bring your attention to some things. It's money well spent for peace of mind.

 

[Damian]

A full service on a single axle caravan should take 4 hours, NOT 2, if they do it in 2 they are missing a lot!!!

 

[ProfJohnL]

I am sorry to put a damper on this thread but I cannot condone anyone suggesting that it is appropriate for anybody to do DIY on gas appliances.

The law requires that all work on all gas appliances must be carried out by a competent person. This includes the making or breaking of gas couplings. A competent person would know what to do and not need to ask for advice through a forum.

The removal of a fridge requires breaking a gas connection.

I have seen and had to report on the results of incompetent work done on gas systems resulting loss and injury, fortunately no fatalities though it has been close and the potential for death was high.

 

[rob_jax]

John,

Quite agree with your comments about safety and only competent people making and breaking gas connections (except for the low pressure connections that apply to caravan and BBQ supplies deliberately excluded from the regulations).

However, no one from the forum has suggested that any dismantling be done - rather strong recommendations for professional service.

The only reference to dismantling occured in the original posting, and came from Halleys suggesting that the owner remove the fridge and take it in for repair.

Robert

 

[Robert_374242026]

are you a diy person?if so its quite easy as other contributers have said.I had this annoying problem once and after taking it out several times finally found the problem,somehow a spider got into the tube and to get it out i bent a piece of electrical wire the shape of a shepherds hook , poking this up the tube and turning it around the critter came out.Some time ago i had a fault with the fridge which i could not overcome so took it out and got Electrolux to fit this expensive part it came to

 

[patrick_374306178]

thanks for all the input folks i think i will just get the van serviced it sounds the safer option