Dometic fridge

Dave H · Member

Dometic fridge

KFT · Guru

G'day Dave

In order for the forum to assist you it would really help if you told us the model number of your fridge. This will help in giving the correct advice.

frank

Delta18 · Guru

Dave H wrote:
Hi all,
We recently purchased a 2000 Jayco Westport and am currently playing around with it in preparation for our first trip in a month or so. Firstly I am unable to light the fridge using the gas. I have followed the instructions and yes there is gas and yes the van is level. When I push the ignition button I hear the whoosh of the gas lighting but it does not seem to stay lit . I understand the marker on the dial switches to the green side once the fridge is lit however mine does not move of the red section. The fridge works well on mains and 12V power .Any ideas???
Secondly, when travelling do I leave the fridge mode on 12V and will if so will this drain the battery.
Ta Dave H

You say you hear the gas igniting, are you holding down the (red??) button long enough to allow the thermocouple to stay on once it has lit?

To your second question, providing you have adequate wiring from your car's battery to the van fridge, preferably via an andersen plug at the towbar, AND providing your car's alternator is working then the car battery will not be drained.

It is not advisable to run the fridge from your van's battery.

PeterD · Guru

Dave H wrote:
Secondly, when travelling do I leave the fridge mode on 12V and will if so will this drain the battery.

As stated by the previous answer, the 12 V element in a 3 way fridge should only be run from the tugs alternator. This is the way that Dometic say it should be connected up to the tugs electrical circuit.

Dometic Fridge 12 V Wiring 2.PNG

spida · Guru

I 'pump' the lighter while holding down the other button. Always takes a few pumps to get the needle to move across.

ollwarra · Newbie

Hi Dave.

We had the same problem several months ago ,found that the problem was the switch ,the fridge was actually working . After you have followed the starting procedure as previously outlined, check if the back of the unit on the right hand side burner is getting hot ,I cant hear gas on ours but in a bad light you can just see a flame.

Hope this helps

Ollwarra

-- Edited by ollwarra on Thursday 8th of October 2015 09:07:39 PM

Desert Dweller · Guru

We have a 90ltre Dometic fridge that cools & freezes well on 12V & 240V. It works well on gas in temperatures up to 30 degrees but any higher & it can't cope.

meggsy · Veteran Member

Desert Dweller wrote:
We have a 90ltre Dometic fridge that cools & freezes well on 12V & 240V. It works well on gas in temperatures up to 30 degrees but any higher & it can't cope.

It really helps to install a computer case fan on the top vent as close to the flue - the cooling effect is greatest at the "hot" end of the condenser each fin drops the "gas" temperature by approx. 5 degrees the fan sucking air past that can increase the temp drop by some 3 - 4 degrees - all this at normal temps so when the ambient temp gets higher it just restores the fridge to approx nomal operations up until approx 38 degrees - installation of two fans improves the overall efficiency more --- hope this helps

PeterD · Guru

Desert Dweller, what model fridge do you have. Even my old RM 4001 (noted to be a poor performer) worked better than that. May be you need to pay attention to the installation of your fridge.