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Campervan - Gas Fridge - won't ignite

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  • 20-07-2013 7:56pm
    #1
    Conology
    Registered Users Posts: 497 ✭✭


    Hi
    The little red switch ( which usually goes tick, tick, tick) on my Campervan 3way Fridge does not work in order to ignite the gas.

    The gas is lighting/working fine on the grill etc.

    Does anyone know how to resolve this problem.
    Thank you


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    #2
    niloc1951
    Registered Users Posts: 2,051 ✭✭✭niloc1951


    Conology wrote: »
    Hi
    The little red switch ( which usually goes tick, tick, tick) on my Campervan 3way Fridge does not work in order to ignite the gas.

    The gas is lighting/working fine on the grill etc.

    Does anyone know how to resolve this problem.
    Thank you

    The tick, tick, tick is a high tension spark at an electrode at the gas jet to light the gas (like a spark plug in a car to ignite the air/petrol mix in the cylinder), it needs a 12v supply to work.
    First thing to check is the power supply to the unit, it could be a blown fuse or a failed connection, if that's OK it's probable the electrode unit itself is gone faulty.


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    #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Could be a highly carbonised electrode/igniter too.
    It builds up over time and it's an insulator.

    When was the last time you had it serviced? Do you ignite it regularly?
    What gas are you using? Butane leaves more residue than propane.


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    #4
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Have you tried igniting it with the batteries on charge? If it's carbonised it might just work when the batteries are at a higher voltage say 14v+. Not that this is a solution, just a diagnostic.


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    #5
    Aidan_M_M
    Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    The igniters burn out too.


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    #6
    *Kol*
    Registered Users Posts: 2,549 ✭✭✭*Kol*


    I have the opposite problem. The igniter is clicking away but the gas is not igniting when I turn and press the gas knob. When I release the gas knob there is a whoosh like gas has ignited but the igniter keeps clicking away.


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    #7
    Aidan_M_M
    Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    *Kol* wrote: »
    I have the opposite problem. The igniter is clicking away but the gas is not igniting when I turn and press the gas knob. When I release the gas knob there is a whoosh like gas has ignited but the igniter keeps clicking away.

    Sounds like it needs servicing.
    Guys, Thetforf/Dometic engineers recommend the fridges are serviced every year, do ye know that? Especially with the bad quality gas we have.


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    #8
    *Kol*
    Registered Users Posts: 2,549 ✭✭✭*Kol*


    Aidan_M_M wrote: »
    Sounds like it needs servicing.
    Guys, Thetforf/Dometic engineers recommend the fridges are serviced every year, do ye know that? Especially with the bad quality gas we have.

    Thanks. Have never had it serviced since I have owned the MH (6 years). If I removed it could I bring it to a local gas appliance servicing company to have it done?


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    #9
    Aidan_M_M
    Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    Why go to the hassle of removing it? I do them in place, it's usually fairly straightforward. And a domestic gas engineer wouldn't be able to do it normally, they wouldn't know about the different jets, burners and igniters etc.


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    #10
    *Kol*
    Registered Users Posts: 2,549 ✭✭✭*Kol*


    Aidan_M_M wrote: »
    Why go to the hassle of removing it? I do them in place, it's usually fairly straightforward. And a domestic gas engineer wouldn't be able to do it normally, they wouldn't know about the different jets, burners and igniters etc.

    Thanks Aidan. Donaghys is the closest to me at the moment. Is it something they could do while I wait? I guess they do it through the ventilation grill on the outside of the MH?


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    #11
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    *Kol* wrote: »
    I have the opposite problem. The igniter is clicking away but the gas is not igniting when I turn and press the gas knob. When I release the gas knob there is a whoosh like gas has ignited but the igniter keeps clicking away.

    Shorted switch?


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    #12
    Aidan_M_M
    Registered Users Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    *Kol* wrote: »
    Thanks Aidan. Donaghys is the closest to me at the moment. Is it something they could do while I wait? I guess they do it through the ventilation grill on the outside of the MH?

    Correct and right .


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    #13
    Conology
    Registered Users Posts: 497 ✭✭Conology


    Hi
    I have my problem sorted.
    I'm not sure what happened though - its a bit of a mystery.
    I took off the knobs with the intention of opening up the front panel and for some strange reason the Red Igniter switch (tick, tick, tick) literally started up again.
    I didn't do anything - so my guess is that the Igniter switch was simply stuck.
    I'll be watching and praying over it during the next few weeks, so fingers crossed it stays operating.
    Getting the fridge serviced annually is probably the best thing but people who specialise in Campervan repairs are usually very expensive. Donaghey's, Donegal is a bit far away from me too so I'll try and get someone more locally to look at it soon.
    Thanks for everyone's advices.


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    #14
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,238 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Conology wrote: »
    Hi
    its a bit of a mystery.
    I took off the knobs with the intention of opening up the front panel and for some strange reason the Red Igniter switch (tick, tick, tick) literally started up again.
    I didn't do anything - so my guess is that the Igniter switch was simply stuck.

    Some things just like being opened and looked at. My guess is that the two positives (in & out) were touching and bypassing the switch. A wee wiggle can do wonders...insulating the contacts with lecky tape might prove more reliable though.


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