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Post by winterwood on Dec 5, 2008 16:33:38 GMT 10
Hi all, My Globe Trotter has a 3 way fridge which works perfectly on 240 volt. No matter how many times I read the instruction book, I can't get it to operate on gas. A friend suggested that it initially should be connected to the car via the 7 pin plug in order to get the ignition/spark happening. Although I hadn't thought of this, the idea made sense and I tried it and guess what?? ... still nothing. The stove works fine and the shut off valve for the fridge is open. Can anyone please suggest any ideas? Max (Winterwood)  |
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Post by Franklin1 on Dec 5, 2008 20:32:03 GMT 10
Hi Max, if the instructions for your fridge are similar to the following instructions that accompanied a fold-up clothes line, then I can well understand your dilemma...  "Order the line the stercoscoptic, putting the clothes, function variety, design the handiness. Can fold the material that place, the stainless steel does the work."  As far as your fridge goes, first we must understand how the spark for the gas flame is created. I doubt whether it is reliant on the car's 12v system. A 3-way operation suggests the fridge is fairly 'modern', so the spark is likely to come from a piezo ignition system. Looking at your photo, I can see only two controls on the top, so I assume there are some other controls on the fridge to switch between the 3 heating sources, and to create the spark. Is your fridge the type that has a small viewing window in the back wall of the fridge compartment, to see if the gas has ignited? If so, then I suggest a check that you are actually getting a spark. Turn the gas system OFF completely (...at the bottle), and in a darkened situation (night-time) check whether a spark is being created when you operate the control. The spark can often be difficult to see, especially if the fridge is old and the viewing window is not as clear as it once was. However, you should persevere until you are convinced whether you have a spark or not. If the spark is being created, then the problem would most likely be with the gas burner jet. Perhaps it is blocked from build-up or an insect or dirt/dust, etc. You would have to pull the fridge out of its compartment to attend to the burner. Hope this helps, cheers, Al. |
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Post by winterwood on Dec 5, 2008 20:59:31 GMT 10
Hi Al,
Many thanks for your prompt response. The white/grey dial on the top right of the fridge, is the switch between gas, 240 & 12 volt. The small "globe" on the left of it, I would have thought would light up, but it doesn't glow at all. The dial on the top left is the temp control.
According to the instruction book, when it's lit, the top pink/red button should remain half in (which it does do, but it is still not lit).
When I depress the pink/red piezo ignition system, I can hear it "spark" and a "puff" that sounds like it's lit but it hasn't.
I'll take on board your detailed response over the weekend and see what happens and let you know.
In the meantime, thanks again for your help.
Cheers
Max
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Post by Don Ricardo on Dec 5, 2008 21:53:28 GMT 10
G'day Max and Al,
Max's fridge is an Electrolux which appears identical to the one fitted to our caravan. The fridge was retro fitted to our van in place of the icebox in 1983 by Classic Caravans in Murrumbeena. As it happens Max and I met with one of Classic Caravans' former staff members for a chat last night (more of that later). Anyway I mention the date because it will give some sort of indication of the vintage of Max's fridge.
Our fridge isn't connected to gas because 1940's Dons didn't make provision for gas, so I'm not any help in that regard. However, I can help with the little orange light next to the gas/240v/12v dial on the right hand side of the fridge. This indicates when your fridge is operating on 12v, so it should light up when your van is connected to the car battery via the 7-pin plug and the dial is turned to 12v.
For what it's worth I'm not aware of any viewing window in the back wall of the fridge...
Don Ricardo
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Post by winterwood on Dec 11, 2008 20:31:41 GMT 10
Hi Don & Al,
There is no "viewing window" and again couldn't get it going. I didn't have time to pull the fridge out but will do over Xmas. I tried Don's suggestion of connecting to the car via the 7 pin plug and switching the dial to 12 volt ... but there was no glowing orange light.
I think the answer might be to stop in a caravan park and connect to 240 volt, coz I know that works.
Thanks again for your input & suggestions.
Max
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Post by minicamper on Dec 17, 2008 10:20:59 GMT 10
Hi Max,
Just a thought, but you mention that you can hear u "puff" when the pieze is fired as if the gas lights, but the fridge doesn't...
I wonder... When lighting just about every pilot light system i can think I've ever used...
Do you:
Hold the gas control button in (to light the pilot), fire the piezo, the HOLD the button in for a few seconds, maybe up to 30?
Most pilot systems are designed to stay lit only once the pilot has heated, ensuring that if it goes out, the gas is shut off for safety.
Once the pilot is warm enough, it should stay lit then you just adjust the fridge temp and the burner takes over....
Just a thought and worth a try before pulling the fridge out... Our Electrolux in the family Jayco was like this and could be tempermental after only a few years old, right up until I sold the camper, 20 years later (still worked a treat though!)
Oh and for the 12v, it won't work unless your car is not only wired with an auxiliary power supply to the plug (there's a spare one for it) AND your car supply is wired to either permanent power or accessories.
I'm on leave at present until the 1st week of Jan, if you're heading down to Rye stick your head in, happy to have a look at it with/for you.
Cheers
Chris
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