fridge rm212f question

[atlowers]

Back end of last season the fridge was not getting cold on gas Noticed the pilot did not seem as bright and assumed it was blocked jet. Just cleaned flue and jet which seemed ok anyway and refitted. At start quite a loud whoosh as expected having held gas on before lighting but again hardly any difference in pilot when adjusting heat positions(1.2 and 3) Pilot still looks low flame compared to previous and now starts with a whimper even when holding gas for 20 secs before igniting. Anybody any ideas or simiar issues. Thanks.

 

[fergie_mac66]

check gas regulator is not old and faulty

 

[ukmctc]

Back end of last season the fridge was not getting cold on gas Noticed the pilot did not seem as bright and assumed it was blocked jet. Just cleaned flue and jet which seemed ok anyway and refitted. At start quite a loud whoosh as expected having held gas on before lighting but again hardly any difference in pilot when adjusting heat positions(1.2 and 3) Pilot still looks low flame compared to previous and now starts with a whimper even when holding gas for 20 secs before igniting. Anybody any ideas or simiar issues. Thanks.

does sound like the regulator, is it on the same feed as the cooker or heater?
sounds silly but the compressor thingymabob on the fridge might just need a shake, I found when mine started to act up, I removed it turned the entire thing upside down for 24 hrs then put it all back, worked great for the next couple of years.

 

[fergie_mac66]

also just a thought butane freezes at low temp and if you have tried to use in these low temps you will get low gas flow from the bottle shaking the bottle can help a bit but better run on propane at this time of year, which needs another regulator

 

[TQA]

Check the flue!

A common problem is a fall of rust into the area around the flame vent. It will give the symptoms you describe.

Happened more than once to mine.

 

[atlowers]

Thank you for the replies, I have now cleaned the flue and jets and problem persists. The problem was first noticed back end of summer in warm conditions. The regulator is quite new and is on same line as the cooker which appears to work fine. I do use a very large gas bottle which is running quite low but did not think this should make any difference? I will try the upside down trick tomorrow and try a spare regulator. Thanks again.

 

[fergie_mac66]

if the gas bottle is low shake it . Not very good at these temps the point at which liquid butane freely turns to gas (boiling point) is about -1° so you will get low pressure at low temps

 

[atlowers]

if the gas bottle is low shake it . Not very good at these temps the point at which liquid butane freely turns to gas (boiling point) is about -1° so you will get low pressure at low temps

Simple solution and appears to have done the trick, thanks Fergie.

 

[fergie_mac66]

Simple solution and appears to have done the trick, thanks Fergie.

just for ref' propane boiling point is -42° ish so never freezes .It has a slightly higher pressure so doesn't blow out as easy so if you use boat in winter def worth switching regulator and fitting propane the gas bottles are exchangable(exclude camping gaz ).
Also if you use batteries or mains for 5mins to heat the flue up on the fridge it will light much more easily