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Subject Topic: Thetford fridge will not stay lite Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonJD123
15/6/2015 at 12:18pm
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Hi all,
    I have a Thetford fridge that will lite on gas but will not stay lit.
I have removed the vents and looked through and I can see the spark electrode gets red hot when the pilot is lit but the thermocouple does not, I don't know if it should but it does appear to be on the very edge of the flame.
I have measured a resistance change in the spark electrode but I don't know if its also a flame recognition probe but there is a resistance change so I assume its working.
So my question is - if I can measure a resistance change, in what I think is the spark/flame recognition probe does that mean the gas valve on the top of the fridge is faulty?
Or should the thermocouple tip be red hot the same as the spark electrode?
I would be grateful for any advise
Many Thanks
JD123

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JD123


Personvespa 494
15/6/2015 at 12:28pm
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Thermocouple should glow as it should be in the flame although i have seen them hold a flame when very close, might be that the thermocouple has moved out of the flame or the pilot may be slightly blocked.


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PersonJD123
15/6/2015 at 12:36pm
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Hi vespa 494
     Thank you for your advise, its not very easy to see if its directly in the flame but is doesn't glow red, so i will try to re position it first.
Many Thanks
      

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JD123


PersonElddis x
15/6/2015 at 2:30pm
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We had the same problem, it would light but not stay lit, I removed the fridge and cleaned the burner which is a metal tube with slits cut at one end.
The slits were rusty and stopping the flame burning properly, a quick rub with a hacksaw cleared the slits.
I also cleared the flue pipe of any rust and debris now it works fine


PersonElddis x
15/6/2015 at 2:39pm
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This is what it looks like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARAVAN-MOTORHOME-THETFORD-FRIDGE-GAS-BURNER-ASSEMBLY-4-SLOT-FIN-623019-/171783204902?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27ff13b026


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PersonJD123
15/6/2015 at 3:10pm
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Hi Elddisx
      Thank you, the burner tube looks clean but I will check it anyway.
With the advise so far, if I check the burner and the position of the thermocouple and it glows red, I assume the only item left would be the gas valve at the top of the fridge

Would you agree?

Many thanks

JD123

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JD123


PersonJax365
15/6/2015 at 7:33pm
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Are you continuing to hold in the gas knob once the flame is lit for 30 seconds or so? It takes some time to warm the thermocoupler up so it doesn't keep going out. If the fridge hasn't been used on gas for a whiley, then it might take even longer, you might have to hold it in for a minute or more.

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PersonPaul B
16/6/2015 at 1:10pm
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If you're in any doubt, please consult with someone qualified to work on caravan gas installations. It's always tempting to try and save some money/hassle by doing it yourself (I know, I'm the worst offender!) but on gas installations it's not worth the risk.


PersonJD123
20/6/2015 at 5:14pm
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Hi Jax365/PaulB
     Yes I have held the knob in for over a minute but it still goes out, when I look at the thermocouple the tip does not glow red so I am assuming that its not lying within the flame, I will have a closer look though to make sure.
I was not sure if my fridge has a spark/flame recognition probe that controls the gas valve or as the reply's suggest the thermocouple controls the gas valve, when looking I don't know how to tell the difference. Perhaps you could advise me further.
Thank you for all your advise I appriciate it.
JD123


PersonJax365
21/6/2015 at 11:20am
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I know this sounds like a daft question, but have you turned on the gas tap to the fridge. There are two separate taps, one for the fridge, one for the cooker, usually somewhere near inside a cupboard.

This is probably not the problem by the sound of it, but I though I would just ask the question, having done the same thing myself and wondering why it wouldn't light!

Could be that the gas jet itself is partially blocked, with bits of rust and spiders webs, etc... if you can get the fridge out, spray it with a can of aerosol air to blow out the bits.

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PersonJD123
21/6/2015 at 11:37am
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Hi jax365
    A valid question but the gas is on, I am going to check the thermocouple is within the flame and is tight first, if not then move it so it does lie within and see what happens
Thank you for all your advice I will let you know what happens
Jd123


PersonJax365
22/6/2015 at 9:17am
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Good, glad to hear that! Sometimes people don't realise that they have to turn on the gas both at the gas bottle and inside at the gas tap.

Next question - does it work on EHU? Assuming it's a 3-way of course.

You can google the manual for your fridge very easily, most of them are online. Just put the make/model of your fridge and the magic words +manual into google and it should come up with a manual.

Sometimes if you're on a bit of a slope it wont light for the very reason you think (thermocoupler not connecting with gas jet), so check that the van is level.

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