Jacko264
Well-known member
Nice looking vehicle 
did you have one or two 
G
did you have one or two G
Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT My new garage in Wales
- Thread starter Zebedeewesty
- Start date
Workspaces sized between 265 and 485 squarefeet.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Just a couple. We had a few in the fridge but they were a bit warm.Nice looking vehicle
G
Price for food was as usual extortionate show prices. £7 for a cheeseburger was a bit steep.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Arlo caught a baby bunny this morning, then carried it around the whole walk before swallowing it when i tried to get him in the van to come home.
Water level is still dropping in the reservoir. A few bushes and trees still stop you from walking all the way along one bank though.
Water level is still dropping in the reservoir. A few bushes and trees still stop you from walking all the way along one bank though.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Had a quick look online to see if there was a manual for the fridge anywhere. Its a Dometic RM4213S according to the manufacturers plate. I managed to find a PDF version of it. It states to clean the flue and burner jet remove the lower grill on the side of the van. Ours doesn't have one, only an upper vent/flue. The base the fridge sits on is at a level with the door hinge just above the arch. Theres very little access through the top vent.
This is the only access (just a gas drop out vent) next the fibreglass wheelarch at the front of the fridge. No access to the lower back of the fridge at all.
This is the only access (just a gas drop out vent) next the fibreglass wheelarch at the front of the fridge. No access to the lower back of the fridge at all.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Went to Fishguard for some LPG. Warm but a nice breeze too.
Recycling day tomorrow so started chopping up the big cardboard boxes. The ginger numpty wasn't being much help.
Recycling day tomorrow so started chopping up the big cardboard boxes. The ginger numpty wasn't being much help.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
I'm starting to go a little red.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
I noticed the on/off gas switch is quite tight to turn. The instructions say to turn the switch to the flame logo (90 degree left turn) and press it in to 'open the flame failure device' and to then keep it pressed for 10-15 secs after the flame lights to 'active the flame failure device'. The knob doesn't appear to be able to be pushed it in at all (or its already stuck in).
I removed the knob off the gas valve after a lot of struggling and found the valve was indeed stuck in the pushed in position. I've wire brushed it and sprayed with penetrating oil and it now pushes in and releases easily and also turns nicely too.
Not had a chance to try it yet though. Reading online it appears that if the valve gets stuck in it activates the flame failure device which cuts the gas. Its not cut it completely though as there was still a tiny blue flame (like the size of a pilot light) not the usual 30mm or so wall of flame.
Gonna hoover out all the cobwebs from above and around the fins on the back and give the flue and its baffle a clean and see what happens.
I removed the knob off the gas valve after a lot of struggling and found the valve was indeed stuck in the pushed in position. I've wire brushed it and sprayed with penetrating oil and it now pushes in and releases easily and also turns nicely too.
Not had a chance to try it yet though. Reading online it appears that if the valve gets stuck in it activates the flame failure device which cuts the gas. Its not cut it completely though as there was still a tiny blue flame (like the size of a pilot light) not the usual 30mm or so wall of flame.
Gonna hoover out all the cobwebs from above and around the fins on the back and give the flue and its baffle a clean and see what happens.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Used the bug to go shopping today as it was way too hot to take the dogs with me as they'd melt while sat in the caravelle. 
Cheap new gear knob arrived. Slightly bigger than the old one so feels a bit better to hold.
My parcel of parts from the vwheritage wishlist competition arrived today. Fitted the rear over riders. The fog/reverse lamp could really do with moving across about 20mm though it doesn't really make much difference.
Cheap new gear knob arrived. Slightly bigger than the old one so feels a bit better to hold.
My parcel of parts from the vwheritage wishlist competition arrived today. Fitted the rear over riders. The fog/reverse lamp could really do with moving across about 20mm though it doesn't really make much difference.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Tried the fridge in our autosleeper again yesterday evening when the sun had gone round and the van was in the shade and from the 4c (39f) it was when running on electric it rose to 12c (53.6f) on gas.
Looks like i might as well take it out and properly clean the burner and everything else on the back of the fridge.
Gonna fit a pair of 12v fans on the back while its out to help it expel the hot air.
Looks like i might as well take it out and properly clean the burner and everything else on the back of the fridge.
Gonna fit a pair of 12v fans on the back while its out to help it expel the hot air.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Little bit warm this morning. Some shade in the woods and water for the dogs too though.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Its been 29c (84f) today. Even the breeze was warm.
Took the dogs out just after 7am and it was already nearly 18c. Tomorrow its due to be 20c at 7am then up to 24c at 8am. At least theres a bit of shade in the woods next to the reservoir.
Pulled the fridge out far enough to disconnect the wiring and gas pipe this afternoon.
Hooved loads more cobwebs and dust out of the cabinet.
Once the protective box/shield thing was removed from under the flue i could get to the burner.
After undoing the gas pipe this muck fell out of the pipe. Possibly why it was struggling on gas as the burner jet has a tiny hole which would have easily been partially blocked by this.
The actual burner wasn't too bad so i've soaked it in carb cleaner and wire brushed the outside.
Fingers crossed it'll work properly once i reinstall it. I'm going to replace all the wiring terminals as a few are rather green.
Took the dogs out just after 7am and it was already nearly 18c. Tomorrow its due to be 20c at 7am then up to 24c at 8am. At least theres a bit of shade in the woods next to the reservoir.
Pulled the fridge out far enough to disconnect the wiring and gas pipe this afternoon.
Hooved loads more cobwebs and dust out of the cabinet.
Once the protective box/shield thing was removed from under the flue i could get to the burner.
After undoing the gas pipe this muck fell out of the pipe. Possibly why it was struggling on gas as the burner jet has a tiny hole which would have easily been partially blocked by this.
The actual burner wasn't too bad so i've soaked it in carb cleaner and wire brushed the outside.
Fingers crossed it'll work properly once i reinstall it. I'm going to replace all the wiring terminals as a few are rather green.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
It was already creeping above 22c (71.5f) just after 8am when i coming back from walking the dogs this morning. I don't appreciate the heat at all. It can go do one now. Wouldn't be as bad if UK houses had AC. A fan just doesn't cut it when its 25c+ inside.
Had a decent walk round the reservoir, mostly still in the shade early morning which was nice.
Had a decent walk round the reservoir, mostly still in the shade early morning which was nice.
captain14
Well-known member
Have you considered a whole house fan that mounts in an upstairs window? And you crack windows on the ground floor. Moves quite a bit of air.
I have used one for years.
I have used one for years.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
The problem is the house has been extended 3 or 4 times over the years so its like a rabbit warren inside. All the windows are either side hinged or top hinged too and each one is only 18" wide which makes it difficult adding a fan or even a vent for a stand alone room AC unit.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
We've got a working light at the top of the entry steps in the Autosleeper again for the first time since we bought her. Bit too dim to see anything by, but it's a light all the same. May have to change the bulb for an LED one.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Fitted some new heater sliders to the caravelle after running round with broken ones for years. Shame the fan doesn't work. Would have been nice to have blown air in this weather.
I've got a replacement but don't fancy removing the dash and dropping the steering column to get to it while its in the high 20s outside.
Holly enjoying a cool mat and the breeze off the fan.
I've got a replacement but don't fancy removing the dash and dropping the steering column to get to it while its in the high 20s outside.
Holly enjoying a cool mat and the breeze off the fan.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Made a couple of brackets for the 12v fans that are going on the back of the fridge vents. Tested them out and they push a decent amount of air and are pretty quiet too.
The fridge wiring is a proper mess. Why use 10ft and coil it up and shove it down the back of the fridge when the run is under 4ft?
The fridge wiring is a proper mess. Why use 10ft and coil it up and shove it down the back of the fridge when the run is under 4ft?
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Bought a cheap W1209 temperature controller off ebay to run the fridge fans.
Here it is with a nice pair of ****.
The fans are 90mm diameter 12v computer fans and fit nicely behind the upper grill. I could have gone for a pair of 120mm ones but they were on back order with a 3 week wait everywhere i looked. Until these one arrived that is then they were in stock.
Tried it out with it set to come on at 32c (89.6f) and off again at 30c (86f). Works as it should. Not sure what temperature to set it at as i've never checked the temperature behind the fridge before.
Here it is with a nice pair of ****.
The fans are 90mm diameter 12v computer fans and fit nicely behind the upper grill. I could have gone for a pair of 120mm ones but they were on back order with a 3 week wait everywhere i looked. Until these one arrived that is then they were in stock.
Tried it out with it set to come on at 32c (89.6f) and off again at 30c (86f). Works as it should. Not sure what temperature to set it at as i've never checked the temperature behind the fridge before.
( . )( . )Here it is with a nice pair of ****.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Got the fridge reinstalled in the Autosleeper and wired in the fans. Its been running on 240v for the past hour or so. I set the fans to come on at 32c (89.6f) and off again at 30c (86f).
Checked the temperatures with a digital temperature probe.
Outside temperature in the shade 28c (82.4f).
Temperature at the top of the fridge compartment with the sensor stuck to the underside of the shelf above the condenser fins 34c (93.2f).
Temperature of the air being blown out of the upper vent by the fans 42c (107.6f)
Switch off the fans and within a couple of minutes the temperature in the fridge compartment rose to 42c (107.6f)
So basically a 8c (14.4f) lowering of the temperature at the back of the fridge.
Checked the temperatures with a digital temperature probe.
Outside temperature in the shade 28c (82.4f).
Temperature at the top of the fridge compartment with the sensor stuck to the underside of the shelf above the condenser fins 34c (93.2f).
Temperature of the air being blown out of the upper vent by the fans 42c (107.6f)
Switch off the fans and within a couple of minutes the temperature in the fridge compartment rose to 42c (107.6f)
So basically a 8c (14.4f) lowering of the temperature at the back of the fridge.
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
I suppose NOT relevant to your repairs but a couple great looking pooches! I notice in the pics they’re always on leash. Is that required where you are or will they run off of you let them run free?
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
They can be a bit arsy about coming back now.
Holly used to be great at recall. She was rarely ever on the lead. Lucy was also the same from the minute we got her, then when she hit one year old something snapped and she'd refuse to allow you to clip the lead back on again, and as most of the walks end at a busy road it just wasn't worth the risk.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Took the dogs out again just before 9pm last night. First time in nearly a week and a half the temperature had dropped to 20c (68f).
Up into the hills this morning. Not a single stream or pool has any water left in it now.
Up into the hills this morning. Not a single stream or pool has any water left in it now.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
The motorhome fridge still won't cool on gas. The flue, pipes, burner and jet have been cleaned and it cools on 12v and 240v so the actual cooling circuit works. That just leaves the gas valve or thermostat i think.
I assume if the gas valve failed (or the thermocouple that opens the valve) then no gas would get through at all, but there is a flame in the burner.
Pretty sure the side of the thermostat where the thermistor enters shouldn't be this rusty.
Apparently theres also a small filter (about the size of one in the end of a cigarette) inside the main gas pipe just before it reaches the thermostat that can clog up with the oily heavy ends in the propane.
I'm going to remove the filter and see what happens. Bit of a last chance thing as both the gas valve and the gas thermostat are both obsolete for this model of fridge.
New fridges the same size are in the £800+ ($1000+) range.
I assume if the gas valve failed (or the thermocouple that opens the valve) then no gas would get through at all, but there is a flame in the burner.
Pretty sure the side of the thermostat where the thermistor enters shouldn't be this rusty.
Apparently theres also a small filter (about the size of one in the end of a cigarette) inside the main gas pipe just before it reaches the thermostat that can clog up with the oily heavy ends in the propane.
I'm going to remove the filter and see what happens. Bit of a last chance thing as both the gas valve and the gas thermostat are both obsolete for this model of fridge.
New fridges the same size are in the £800+ ($1000+) range.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
I've had the fridge out again this afternoon. Got it down to a swift 15 minutes. Didn't find a filter in the pipe to the thermostat at all. Must have been removed previously (or never even fitted).
Cleaned the burner again and got a few more flakes of rust out of it. Blew the pipework out with carb cleaner along with the gas thermostat. Came out a bit brown but no flakes or bits.
Cleaned the thermocouple tip back to shiny metal and made sure it was exactly where it should be in the holder (it looks like it was around 1/8" too far out of the flame). Not sure if that would make much difference.
I'm still not really sure how it works as this is the end that screws into the gas control valve.
I've got it switch on 240v at the moment to cool it down to 3-5c (37.4-41f) then i'll switch it across to gas and see if it keeps it cool. If not then i'm totally out of ideas and i suppose i'll have to go looking for a new fridge.
Cleaned the burner again and got a few more flakes of rust out of it. Blew the pipework out with carb cleaner along with the gas thermostat. Came out a bit brown but no flakes or bits.
Cleaned the thermocouple tip back to shiny metal and made sure it was exactly where it should be in the holder (it looks like it was around 1/8" too far out of the flame). Not sure if that would make much difference.
I'm still not really sure how it works as this is the end that screws into the gas control valve.
I've got it switch on 240v at the moment to cool it down to 3-5c (37.4-41f) then i'll switch it across to gas and see if it keeps it cool. If not then i'm totally out of ideas and i suppose i'll have to go looking for a new fridge.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
I think i've pretty much checked everything off the list now.
Burner, jet, flue and flue baffle are all clean. Thermocouples either works or don't. If it didn't work then the flame wouldn't stay lit.
The cooling circuit is OK as it works on both 240v and 12v.
That all just leaves the gas thermostat (which does look bad) and the solenoid in the gas valve. Apparently they can partially fail and only open up the gas supply just enough to keep the flame lit but not fully so it so won't cool properly.
The flame from the burner is only around 10mm high. Nowhere near the size of this one.
I've got a new gas bottle regulator arriving today as its looking a bit worse for wear. Gonna change the gas hose at the same time. The orange gas hose is actually dated 1991, 2 years before the van was built so i assume they had a huge roll they were still working their way through.
Burner, jet, flue and flue baffle are all clean. Thermocouples either works or don't. If it didn't work then the flame wouldn't stay lit.
The cooling circuit is OK as it works on both 240v and 12v.
That all just leaves the gas thermostat (which does look bad) and the solenoid in the gas valve. Apparently they can partially fail and only open up the gas supply just enough to keep the flame lit but not fully so it so won't cool properly.
The flame from the burner is only around 10mm high. Nowhere near the size of this one.
I've got a new gas bottle regulator arriving today as its looking a bit worse for wear. Gonna change the gas hose at the same time. The orange gas hose is actually dated 1991, 2 years before the van was built so i assume they had a huge roll they were still working their way through.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Up into the quarry this morning for a bit of shade.
No idea what they all heard.
No idea what they all heard.
captain14
Well-known member
Just a thought but maybe post your refrigerator issues in this section.
Ford52PU
Well-known member
there's a bunch of RV forums you might be able to get some help from someone.
this one has helped me numerous times even if rig is not listed they all work pretty much the same. good luck
this one has helped me numerous times even if rig is not listed they all work pretty much the same. good luck
Jacko264
Well-known member
Please be carful With that fridge running on gas when you are sleeping in the van
have plenty of. Gas drop outs
I use. To work at Swift caravans and the vans had lots of drop outs under most cupboards and beds
G
have plenty of. Gas drop outs
I use. To work at Swift caravans and the vans had lots of drop outs under most cupboards and beds
G
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Its built in above the wheelarch and has this drop out vent under it.
I've given up trying to get it working on gas and just gonna buy a 12v compressor one instead. Run out of things to try, so its down to either of the two obsolete parts that has failed.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Only 14c (57f) when i went out this morning before 9am and just under 17c when i got back and hour or so later.
Jacko264
Well-known member
When we had a caravan we only used mains or 12v on the fridge and managed ok with that
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Its not a problem on a campsite with hook-up but when at a vw show for the weekend or pub stopover you're pretty stuffed. The 12v part only works with the engine running.When we had a caravan we only used mains or 12v on the fridge and managed ok with that
Checked the solenoid on the gas valve this afternoon and it appears to work. I've given up on it and bought a 12v compressor fridge.
OP
Zebedeewesty
Well-known member
Removed the old fridge, the gas pipe and the shelf it used to sit on as its about 20mm (3/4") too high for the new fridge to fit.
I still need to still remove some of the extra wiring thats not needed, though i need to work out where the hell the other end of it is connected.
Wiring at the back of the ZIG unit is a bit of a jumble too.
I still need to still remove some of the extra wiring thats not needed, though i need to work out where the hell the other end of it is connected.
Wiring at the back of the ZIG unit is a bit of a jumble too.