RM 7550 Fridge help.

[TerryIvybridge]

Checking my fridge for gas use and it'll light up and go just into the green but goes out when the knob is released. Been told to just keep trying if gas use has not been used lately. My manual says this fridge should have a viewing window bottom left, inside fridge. There is a square shape there but no window? We go away next week in the van, 2nd week we are not on EHU. We have now a 60w solar panel, would we get away with using the fridge on 12v for say 4 nights? I'm not sure what the problem is with the fridge,perhaps someone on here could help? Could it be an easy fix for me and would the fridge need to be removed from inside it's housing for the repair? Memory serves me right ,a thermo couple was problem in another van some years ago and I managed to fix that myself.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

would we get away with using the fridge on 12v for say 4 nights?

No, it will only run from 12v dc when connected to the car and the car engine is running.

 

[TerryIvybridge]

So it looks like very likely a new thermocouple is required?

 

[TerryIvybridge]

Decided last night to have a go at this issue. For anyone else that has this particular model, I thought, as I couldn't find any info on it, I'd give a brief account of what I have done.
First I removed the outside grille covers or vents from the rear of the fridge. Just a matter of sliding up the little clips on each of them located on the left hand side The top grille also has the flue terminal on the right that was released with a flat bladed screwdriver .I took mental note of what I could see, burner at the bottom right hand side and at the upper most hole, there's a gas union coming up from the floor on the left hand side I should have mentioned, before I started I turned off the gas at the bottle. and disconnected the mains and battery electrics.
Moving inside I took out the two each side mounting screws just inside the door after removing the plastic caps. Pressing downwards on top of the plastic top, it was released from the channel like strip. I pulled off both control knobs was then able to gently begin to slide out the fridge just an inch or so and pull off the brown plastic top. I could then see that there was little chance of taking the gas pipe connection from the top of the fridge so I went back outside and undid the gas pipe in the top hole that I had found earlier.
I continued to gently slide out the fridge inside and also kept checking outside just in case of snagging anything. Eventually I had the fridge right out and turned so I had clear view of the rear.
There is Electrics with long enough tails that allowed me to do this with ease. Guessing my problem lay with dirt in and around the burner, I removed first the screws holding a metal tray surround and now I removed the screw and star washer that secured the burner. pulling the burner down revealed a lot of rust, dirt and dust inside it.
At this point I took some photo's of the top of the burner that showed the placement of the thermocouple and a small gas pipe. Taking the Star screw out that secured both to the burner left me with just the main gas pipe going into the burner housing. Two spanners and I had the burner free. Behind the pipe inside the burner is the little jet itself that can be pushed out gently for close inspection and cleaning I spent a good 20 minutes, half hour cleaning out and used brake cleaner and an air line to clear all the debris. Re-assembly was just a reversal taking care to place the thermocouple and the small gas pipe back into proper position as per my photo.
I made sure the funnel was nice and clear had a general tidy up of the floor area that lies directly under the fridge.
Taking care, I managed to re-locate the fridge looking outside as well so as not to trap anything.and re-joined the gas feed at the back from outside.
When all was back in place, I turned the gas back on, waited ten minutes or so and tried lighting the fridge up.
Success! Turned on first time and goes into the green and stays there.
I only offer this as an option for those that may have the same problem and I think with great care I have managed to rectify a fault with relative ease. It is up to others to choose whether to attempt such a repair.

 

[VicMallows]

Well done, and 100% the right approach to the problem. Too many people are afraid to tackle the simplest tasks these days .... especially if 'gas' is involved.

Just for reference, it is also worth noting that the thermocouple on some fridges is actually switched via the 12v/240v/gas selector switch. This is prone to developing high resistance and can result in similar fault characteristics to a failed thermocouple.

 

[ProfJohnL]

.... Too many people are afraid to tackle the simplest tasks these days .... especially if 'gas' is involved.....

I'm sorry VIc but I have to vehemently disagree.
Having been involved for many years with the gas side of caravans, I have seen some quite dreadful DIY jobs which were positively dangerous, and in 4 cases did cause serious injury to people. Its just the grace of God none were actually killed.These were jobs carried out by rank amateurs who failed to read instructions yet alone apply the correct test methods.

Then there were those jobs which on the face of it looked OK, but under closer scrutiny things had not been done quite correctly, still rendering the installation unsafe, for example compression couplings over tightened so much that the olive was beginning to cut through the soft copper lines.or over stress the point where the pipe entered the coupling " Oh I've tightened them every year just to make sure they're tight"

Then there are those who simply didn't put the olive in and relied on "boss white" or "super glue" to seal the pipe, but of course LPG dissolved it.

Flue pipes not connected, and industrial regulators fitted becasue the standard one didn't get the oven or grill hot enough! Even one who had cobbled up a connector to a Camping gas bottle with no regulator at all!

I know in the grand scheme of things these are very small numbers BUT there are proper and reasonable tests that needed to ensure gas products and installations are safe, and the vast majority caravanner neither have the experience nor the equipment to carry them out.

If not for your self, think of those near and dear to you, or your neighbours. and of course the poor person who buys your caravan after you have finished with it.

There are good reasons that so many tests are required on gas systems, and just like so many caravan related issues it seem some people think its fine to cut corners.

Contrary to what might appear from this post I'm not against all DIY, just those people who support dangerous if not illegal practices.