Fridge has stopped working on gas?

jbrinks · Senior Member

Fridge has stopped working on gas?

elliemike · Guru

Is it working on 240v

Is it working on 12v when travelling

If both above are working OK

Is the Gas jet lighting. Can you feel the hot exhaust gas coming out of the vent

Is the van LEVEL when using the fridge on gas. Sometimes some fridges (mine is one) stop cooling when the liquid in the Condenser Pipework on the back of the fridge gets "Stalled" That is it (the liquid) cant Syphon around the system. I remedy this by with the fridge on GAS, raising the tow hitch as high as possible for a minute then lowering as low as possible before adjusting back to LEVEL again. This mostly gets the liquid syphoning around the system

If it is lighting, The ignitor actually lighting the Pilot flame. Is the flame burning well.

It could be a blocked Gas Jet.

You are required to have a gas fitter do any maint to a gas unit.

But video below is to help understand some of the problems that can happen

https://youtu.be/FCqiVqZx5k4?t=218

-- Edited by elliemike on Monday 8th of August 2016 10:12:19 AM

Treecrest14 · Senior Member

I have had a problem with Gas only on the fridge. Van has spent days at the service centre - parts have been swapped out etc - and still had issues.
When travelling around Oz, I found there is a solenoid in the gas line, and the magnetic part wrapped around the cut off mechanism. (Its under the fridge and behind the bottom external grill on our van.) If I rotate the magnetic part on the solenoid, around (back and forth) then it all works.
No - I don't do any maintenance on the gas line, just rotate the magnetic part!

macka17 · Guru

Dump them. and get a proper fridge.

Waeco type 12/24/240 are light years ahead. work at ALL angles.
economical on 12v and same price as three way.

I've thrown a coupla away and been lot happier.
They more trouble than they worth.

Brisand · Veteran Member

I had a similar problem if it works on electricity, it is likely to be the gas sensor not working.

Ron-D · Guru

Thedford are a great fridge that's why there in most vans these days, dometic fridges were absolutely bullet proof a few years ago, I have heard and read there's problems with there new fully automatic fridges?.

a mate of mine has had a problem with his thedford not running on gas from memory,he solved it pulling the outside vent off and there's a an ignition point like a spark plug that he cleaned an slightly opened the point gap , the fridge has been perfect ever since I can't be sure of this information , as its hearsay but I think it's correct....

Brenda and Alan · Guru

If it has been windy as you say could it be as simple as the wind blowing out the pilot light. Maybe try shielding from prevailing wind by orienting van accordingly and see how it works then.

Alan

laurieoz · Senior Member

Thetford give a 3 year warranty on their fridges. Contact them. Always found them helpful.
My friges was going out in on windy days. There is a modification to the exhaust of the burnt gas. Thetford changed to the new design and no more problem.
If the wind is a problem short term solution is to face the van so that wind is not blowing into the vent

kezngaz · Senior Member

jbrinks wrote:
Our van is 18 months old and we have a thetford 3 way . N604M-3 The last few days when we have been using it on gas it stops working. We eventually get it going again only to find it has stopped again. This has happened 3 times. Last night we couldn't get it going at all but this morning tried and it's going again. Gas bottles both full. We are currently in Perth where it has been quite wet and windy and we are about to head home across the Nullabor to home free camping on the way. Any suggestions on what to look for .

Hi there, were in Perth also and i would put it down to the dire weather and windy conditions.

All to often things get complicated and so off topic its amusing.

Best of luck in milder climates!!!

Kezngaz.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Make sure fridge is level . Another . Strange we had much the same with gas through Perth ? Could be co incidence ? We cleaned the LPG valve . It had a thick oil through it . The cylinder seemed to have some fluid in it also ? Exchanged it . All good .

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Ooops ! You may have got my old bottle ??

Two Strays · Senior Member

Hi all

Common fault with Thetford fridges running on gas. The problem is the design of the exhaust pipe. It allows the wind to blow directly down the pipe which eventually extinguishs the flame. Dometic fridges have a different design. One solution is to get a 150mm x 130mm stainless steel sheeting and screw it over the top of the exhaust outlet using the existing screws. Make sure the 150mm side is vertical .

Will not have any more trouble.

Happy caravanning

PaulJohn · Member

Check the back of the refrigerator to see if the flame is present, if it is on the gas setting. If it is on electric setting, hold your hand near the heating element area in the back of the unit.