Tricks to starting Dometic Fridge in Camper

Sorry I can't help you on the starting thing, sounds a bit like my BBQ. Click, click, click.

However, you might find this an interesting read:

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Click on eack picture to see a larger version. Just info to be aware of.

cheers

We always turn on the stove and light the gas and run the burner for a minute or 2. Always helps us light fridge quicker . This has worked for many vans in the past 30 years

Di

Haven't got the instructions handy, but from memory you have to hold down one of the buttons for an extended time, something like 20 seconds, even after you see the green indicator move.
kenD
bris

I have had similar problems, sometimes takes a minute of click . . . . click . . . . click... Starting the gas stove helps if the bottle has been disconnected. The gas flow must be very slow

Hi kingswoodwagon,
I don't know what model your fridge is, but if it's one of the Electrolux range it will maybe similar to this.
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You'll be able to access it through a panel on the out side that has several screws.
In Fig 3,It is located behind a metal panel that is fixed with screws at the bottom of the flu, clean the fluted pipe with a tooth brush and methylated spirits. With the gas TURNED OFF. Wait a couple of minutes for it to dry, turn the gas back on.
While it is all apart get someone to try and start it and see if there is a spark. If there is a spark and it still does not light, wait a minute or two and try again.
Give that a try.

Hi,
get access to the back of the fridge.
Remove the covers over the flame unit (bottom right).
You should be able to see the spark lead near where the flame burns.
Get someone to 'click' the lighter, you should see the spark if you are not in a brightly lit area.

If you have no spark, wait a few minutes for any gas to disperse, get your assistant to hold in the cold start button and light the flame with a match.
Keep holding in the cold start button for about 8 seconds, there is a sensor in the flame path that holds a safety cutout valve open if it is not warm enough.

If that doesn't work, (and you did have the gas on) you may have a blocked jet.

Diisconnect the pipe connection at the bottom of the flame burner, and inside the connection you will find a small object about the size of a watch battery.
This is a flow control jet, and it could be blocked.
The hole is VERY fine and is EASILY damaged.
Try and blow it clean if you can. I could never find a needle fine enough to go near it with, even a primus stove pricker was too big.
The only wire I could fit in it was from a fine flyscreen. Some fine copper stranded electric flex may provide a wire suitable to clear the dust or what ever crud that has lodged in there.

Put it all back together and test.

It should burn with a nice blue flame, and flare up if the cold start button is pressed.

cheers

Hi kingswoodwagon, All above is good asvise.
These things can be temperamental by nature of their design.the vent at the outside is level with the flame area to induce draft and get the hot air to flow up and out of the rear of the unit to get rid of hot air.Some times the slightest breeze causes the pilot flame to waft and not create the correct air mix to cause flame.

It is a good idea to ,while holding down the pilot button ,press the ignite button quickly at least four to five time as this may better ignite the gas.I have owned a lot of these units and find that the will light the firs time or the 8th time depending on their mood.

Regards Paul.

Thanx for all your replies,

I've cleaned the flute with metho, checked the jet is clear and its starting in around 8 clicks now from cold. Thats a big improvement.

Running the stove first looks like a common practice, but I removed my stove a few years ago :)

Thanx again