Gas Fridge not working

[JJ Autosleeper]

Hi
I just restarted the Electrolux van fridge (RA10A) after a nearly a year. The pilot light comes on but there is no cooling. It was working fine last summer. Do they lose coolant? If so, can they be 'regassed'?

Or is it time for new one and is there a modern version that fits into the cupboard of a 1970 Autosleeper easily?

If I have to take it out to service or replace it how does it come out as it seems as if the rear pipe work is connected to the side panel external vent so it's locked in place solidly?

Lost of questions as usual. Thanks

 

[Panky]

They need to be perfectly level to work so if you were on a slope that could be the cause. These fridges are absorption units and sometimes turning them upside down for a while can kick them back into action, obviously it need to come out of the cupboard first, It's a bit of a fiddle but it can be done. As far as I remember they are only held in with two screws into the wooden frame at the bottom but there could be some sealant around the external flue holding it.
As for re-gassing, the refrigerant they use has probably been outlawed a long time ago.

 

[S0updragon]

I took mine out as there was no external venting. Just a couple of screws at the bottom. Panky had given me an ebay link for electrolux fridge element 240v 125w but it’s been in my basket so long listing has gone so can’t tell you model number. So you could convert it to electric?

 

[JJ Autosleeper]

Hi. It’s on the drive and it’s not completely level but near enough to work I suspect as it have had it working on the drive before I recall.

I can see the two lower screws and I’ll try pulling her out after giving second go - a bit later once it’s cooled down a bit. I’m pretty sure the exhaust pipe is welded to the bracket outside the van so I’m a bit dubious I’ll get it out without and angle grinder to cut the bracket off the exhaust.

Re converting to electric I suspect I’ll replace if it has failed and can’t be repaired easily.

Will report back.

 

[S0updragon]

Seems odd that they would weld the fridge to the van. Possibly the exhaust pipe is welded to grill so it can’t move when pushing fridge back onto pipe?

 

[colinthefox]

I've just pulled a fridge out of a Highwayman (guess which one!) and it wouldn't shift until I'd unscrewed the flue outlet and lifted it off the internal exhaust pipe. Then a few screws and random brackets under the grille at the bottom and I could slide the fridge out.

The fridge in our van refused to work a couple of years ago, and turning it upside down got it working OK.

 

[JJ Autosleeper]

Well it didn’t work second time, even with a fresh gas bottle. So I have a job to do next week trying to get the fridge out and see if inverting it will do the trick.

 

[JJ Autosleeper]

Well the fridge came out quite easily. The fixed element stayed in place above the flue. Some photos attached. I have put her upside down and will clean the jets before refitting and re-testing. And I’ll give the cupboard a good clean while it’s out.

 

[Riggsnted]

Well the fridge came out quite easily. The fixed element stayed in place above the flue. Some photos attached. I have put her upside down and will clean the jets before refitting and re-testing. And I’ll give the cupboard a good clean while it’s out.

Thanks for the photos and progress updates... we have a similar issue with our fridge Electrolux RM122.

 

[JJ Autosleeper]

Hi. Just as update the fridge worked after the upending and leaving it for an hour. I left it and hour before restarting when the right way round. So it’s gone back in but not tried it in action yet.

The sparker does not work well with only a very small amount of material is left to create a spark from. So I have bought a gas burner lighter with a reasonably long reach. Does anyone have any ideas of what can be used to rejuvenate the sparker? A new ‘flint’ core?

 

[Panky]

Nice one Yep they are the old style lighter flint.