New Member with Fridge Problem

[Peter Moore]

Hi Everyone, I’m Pete a new member with a 2012 plate Hobby Van 55ES. Very happy with it so far but today for the first time I decided to check out the Fridge operation on Gas, I’m getting no indication that the burner is igniting, following the instructions but no hint of ignition. Fridge is a Dometic RMS8500, I’ve got a new gas bottle on and the gas hob lights up fine. I’m planning to go off grid in July so I need to get this sorted. Any ideas, hints or suggestions greatly appreciated!
Regards
Pete

Topic

[Peter Moore]

Thanks Peter & Christine, yes I was aware of setting the Temp at Max but it didn’t work. I have change the thermocouple anyway and a New Gas valve arrived today but annoyingly I can’t fit it until next week as I’m using the van at the moment! Fingers crossed!!

[Peter & Christine Runagall]

Hi Peter,
I have just seen this thread and I have the same fridge in my MH. The only issue I have had with working on gas is that you need to turn the temperature knob up to max on initial lighting and then turn down to the desired temperature when the red pointer is fully in the green segment of the indicator. If the temperature is not set to max then it goes out.
You may have tried this but if you have then as you say it must be the thermocouple or gas valve at fault.

[Peter Moore]

David, thanks for the suggestions, for some reason all emails from IAH have been going into my Junk mail Folder and not seen until now!
Update on Fridge issue:-
Burner examined and found to be quite rusty with a poor connection of the Ignition Cable, after fixing the cable I was getting ignition but it won’t stay lit on release of the control Knob.
Tested the Thermocouple which seemed ok but decided to replace it and the Burner and Jet.
Still got the problem so I’ve ordered a new Gas Valve, if that doesn’t work then I’m out of ideas!

[David Lawson]

Peter,
Just had another thought.
Are you actually hearing a spark when you press the ignitor button.
The RMSxxx0 series of fridges (the zero on the end denoting manual energy selection and manual spark ignition) tend to have manual ignition the eventual spark being produced by a battery normally hidden behind the ignitor button.
If you are not hearing a spark it could be something as simple as a flat ignitor battery.
If this is the case, slight thumb pressure on the button while turning anti clockwise, wherein both the button and surrounding bezel will pop out exposing the battery.
If you are hearing a spark then it is back to the gas jet which is a KZ45.
Search Google for dometic kz45 jet

[David Lawson]

Hi Peter,
Does your van have a gas manifold hidden somewhere which normally incorporates 4 gas taps. Oven, Hob, Heating / Boiler and finally Fridge.
I don’t know where the manifold will be on your van but on some earlier models there was a blank drawer front next to the cutlery draw which did not have a handle. One press of the door allowed the hinged flap to drop down and expose the manifold. A second press on closing the flap secured it shut.
It is possible that the Fridge gas tap is turned off for whatever reason.
Failing that, the gas jet is blocked.
A new jet is about £10 to £12.

[Author]

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