Ravenna - problem with fridge

Our motorhome is a January 2004 Ravenna. When we try to start the gas, it clicks as expected for a while, then there is a "plop" as the gas ignites. But when we release the button, the gas goes out and it starts clicking again. The previous owners clearly had problems, as they told us that it could take up to two minutes of trying before it would stay lit, and at first we could eventually get it to stay lit. But now it won't stay lit however long we try. This may or may not have started after we had a habitation service recently. (We usually have electric hookup so don't need to use the gas.) We have just put in a new, full, gas cylinder, so it's not that the gas has run out. (And the Truma gas heater works fine.)

A couple of questions. First, is this something that should have been picked up by the habitation check? (They reported "no problems with the gas".) Second, can anybody advise what precisely the problem might be, and how much it might cost to fix? I've done some research, and get anything from "just move the thermocouple a bit" to "it will need the safety component replaced". If anybody has had this problem, please respond. Many thanks.

Brian

It could be air in the system.
Notice you are in Cheshire - where was it serviced ?

roli wrote:Notice you are in Cheshire - where was it serviced ?

Cheshire Caravans on Greg Street in Stockport.

I am presuming that as soon as the gas has lit (plop!) you are not immediately releasing the gas button?
Sorry if you are, but you need to keep the gas button depressed for a while. I usually keep mine pressed for at least 30 seconds after the gas has lit.

If it doesn't stay lit I am guessing the thermocouple is at fault.
Never changed one but shouldn't think that it is an expensive item

Like all these things the cost is in the labour!!

PB

Thanks for the replies.

I have tried keeping the button down for over a minute. I had a chat with somebody at Cheshire Caravans just now. There is an orange light, but this doesn't come on. From what he said, I'm guessing that it should be on continuously if the gas lit OK, but flash if the gas failed. Maybe the fact that the light doesn't come on at all is significant. They also claim that they would have had the fridge "running for an hour" on gas as part of the habitation check. Very odd if they could get it to work but we can't.

It's a Dometic type C40/110 model number RM6271. I didn't make a note of the production number.

If you're talking about the big square orange switch, that is for EHU operation

PB

Just a thought,
After they ad it on for an hour, did they turn the gas off at the internal isolater valve/switch? only any gas in the pipe would light as the fridge dosen't use much gas.
Just a thought.

Pete

Hi there,

I have just read the first post and thought "No! It can't be that simple!" but here goes:

The button with the "gas flame" on it has to be held in for a minimum of about five seconds to ensure that the pilot flame heats up the thermocouple enough to open the valve and keep the gas flowing.

If the pilot light is deflected slightly (it sometimes happens due to soot build-up) then it may take ten or more seconds before the thermocouple gets hot enough.

If this is causing the problem then the pilot burner needs cleaning.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,

Thanks dutto, but as I said later I have held it in for a minute and it still goes out.

nedsram wrote:Thanks dutto, but as I said later I have held it in for a minute and it still goes out.

Think you should be looking at the thermocouple.

What fridge model is it?

PB

peugeotboxer wrote:What fridge model is it?

Dometic RM6271

peugeotboxer wrote:

nedsram wrote:Thanks dutto, but as I said later I have held it in for a minute and it still goes out.

Think you should be looking at the thermocouple.


PB

Hi there,

Considering the logic of the system:
1. If the pilot lights and stays lit with the button held in, AND,
2. The auto-igniter stops "clicking" THEN
3. The thermocouple must be working; otherwise surely the auto-igniter wouldn't stop.

This has all the hallmarks of "a 10p problem that will take £100 to fix"!

Best regards,

Hi Nedsram.

Your fridge. To ignite, turn the control knob to the large flame symbol and press in, orange rocker switch in the on position (light flashes and clicking can be heard) When pilot has lit the clicking stops and the orange light goes out (leave this switch still in the on position) the control knob should be held in the pressed in position for about 5 to 15 econds then released. the fridge should stay lit.
If not. The first thing to check is the flame sensing device this may be a thermocouple or a heat sensitive ignition probe (this item can very easily get slightly out of position due to van movement over rough ground etc. if that is the case just adjust it until the tip of the sensor is just touching the flame) If this dosn't work the sensor has probably packed up and a new one needs fitting (very easy job, only one connection the other end is touching the flame held in position with a litle clamp) New sensor costs less than a tenner. All this can be done by removing the bottom fridge external vent cover.

Hope this helps. Whisky.

Here's the manual:

http://dl.owneriq.net/2/247b5326-6844-4b7a-9858-dc748c402483.pdf

PB

We have a mobile service man coming round tomorrow. I'll let you know the outcome.

He managed to fix the fridge. It was apparently a combination of a worn button which wasn't holding the gas valve open when released, and rust in the ignition chamber. He also put in a new burner for good measure, but didn't fix the orange bulb which apparently had blown.

It took him about an hour and a half and he charged £50, which sounds very reasonable to me. Whoever said it had all the hallmarks of a 10p problem that would cost £100 to fix wasn't all that wide of the mark!

Thanks everybody for all the help on this.

nedsram wrote:He managed to fix the fridge. It was apparently a combination of a worn button which wasn't holding the gas valve open when released, and rust in the ignition chamber. He also put in a new burner for good measure, but didn't fix the orange bulb which apparently had blown.

It took him about an hour and a half and he charged £50, which sounds very reasonable to me. Whoever said it had all the hallmarks of a 10p problem that would cost £100 to fix wasn't all that wide of the mark!

Thanks everybody for all the help on this.

Glad you're sorted.
Money well spent.

PB

(always best to call in the professionals!!)

Who did you get out nedsram?

Mikes Mobile Caravan Services based in Urmston.