3 way camper and caravan fridges. How to repair them part 1. Gas

[@gregclifford5040]

Cheers John. This gave me all the basic info to sort my fridge. It's now all happily working on gas. Top man.

[@fiatwoody]

cheers for this invaluable information John thought my Electrolux m, home fridge was stuffed turned it upside down for about 4 hours all we could afford. it's now cooling brilliantly, Thanks again much appreciated.

[@ToTheGarage]

Glad it helped

[@californiadreamin8423]

@@ToTheGarage Hello. I’ve removed my Electrolux 3 way 212 fridge in order to get access to my kitchen tap water supply piping. When I eased the fridge out , an aluminium shield fell out. It about the width of the fridge, has a notch in it which I thought was for the angled exhaust pipe….but it’s not….and it takes the form of a corner gusset with flanges on both long edges to secure it in position. However I can’t see where it was stapled or glued in position. Any clues ??? Thanks.

[@phillipking0]

We have bought a 1979 t2 a week ago i found out the 2 way fridge didn't get cold on gas or 12volt watched this video took it out turned it upside down left it for the 2 hours turned it back upright reinstalled it back into the camper left it for 3 hours just tried it on the gas left it for about an hour running on the gas and it is now working thank you for doing this video saved me having to purchase a replacement

[@ToTheGarage]

Glad to help Phil

[@yorrow1974]

Fantastic, very informative and easy to understand. Just got a 3 way today and I did wonder why there was no noise when I plugged it in. I now know. You have given me confidence in my new product and for that Im very grateful. Tomorrow I am going to flip it upside down as it will do it no harm. Thanks again.

[@ToTheGarage]

@yorrow1974 You're welcome! glad to have helped

[@sueruddy]

Please do part 2...... The larger fridge is exactly the same as the one I have in my Ford transit camper that has never worked as long as I’ve had it. Not with gas or electric. So I’m waiting with anticipation for the next instalment. Fab job with part 1 by the way, very informative and gives me the confidence to have a go...... well sod it what’s the worst that can happen? It’s already buggered !

[@theamericandiner]

Exactly I can't find the 2nd vudeo

[@sueruddy]

Are you going to do the second video????? PLEEEEAASE!

[@skiboycey680]

With regards to turning the fridge upside down the big clue you need to do this is that the interior of the fridge gets warm when operated, accompanied by odd smells, probably where the cooling pipes are heating up food residue. This indicates a blockage in the cooling circuit, usually crystals that precipitate out of the ammonia solution. On my Dometic (14 years old) this happened after prolonged non-use during COVID. I turned it upside down and back again 20 times AND then held a triangular detail sander head against the pipes to vibrate them and break up the deposits further which was then followed by another round of repeatedly inverting the fridge afterwards. It was as good as new once rigged up again to the camper and saved me 1300 euros for a new one....

[@hoilafly]

“This one’s got a really good gurgle going” haha, legend. Thanks for the video💪

[@ToTheGarage]

You bet!👍

[@acahand]

I really enjoyed your video, looking forward to the part #2

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Andy. not forgot it, just snowed under at the moment👍

[@rorymax8233]

Thank you so very much, absolutely excellent explanations of the gas system. 👏👏👏

[@ToTheGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lesbirtles5303]

Fantastic video, am going to be investigating my Electrolux 212b 3way soon . Cheers fella

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks and good luck!

[@alanyarwood5369]

Thanks for getting back to me. Its a standard blue butane gas bottle and 27 /28 bar reg. Ive contacted several manufacturers for info. No joy. The chimney gets hot but the rest of the tubing doesnt. Ill turn it upside down and give it another go.

[@healthyrootsstrongwings538]

Super awesome video 🤗 This is wat the interwebz are made for! Subscribed and Looking forward to the 2nd vdo. Happy days

[@ToTheGarage]

Welcome aboard! the 2nd one has been on hold for a while but will be with us soon👍

[@healthyrootsstrongwings538]

@@ToTheGarage brother, I actually finished cleaning and fixing a fridge today! Thanks to you. Super awesome man. Few questions if you don't mind : On the fridge I fixed today in the bottom at the burner you can see a tiny bit of the flame/light. Should I be concerned for fire hazard? I did put the glass wool back in place etc. What Is the best way to minimise any risks? Also: can you tell me if the 12 volt option can run the fridge as efficient as 220volt? Or is it weaker? I might try and run it on solar panels in the future but am afraid it will pull way to much power from the batteries. I actually have 2 more of these fridges so have enough material to practice on 🤗

[@stevewilliams2498]

3 years later and I found you. Thanks very well presented and informative. Now how do we do all that without removing the fridge ? 😅😊

[@ToTheGarage]

Welcome aboard! 🤔 Turn the van upside down?🤣

[@santiagoburgoa7867]

Hi, great videos 🙌🏻! I just bought a super old campervan (1983 Renault Master called Regina). The old 3 way Electrolux works just fine on gas, I can’t figure out if it is working on 12 v while the engine is on, any suggestions? Thanks again for the cool channel 🙏🏻

[@jimstanley4656]

This was helpful Real off grid

[@ToTheGarage]

👍😁

[@taniaforrester5325]

As a 'newbie', how easy is it to actually remove the fridge unit from the camper to check and clean the back?

[@ToTheGarage]

obviously it depends on the camper conversion. but typically you are just looking for two screws going through the sides of the cupboards either side of the fridge an these will go into the metal case of your fridge shell. take these out and slide/wriggle the fridge out being careful not to over extend pipes and wires. The exhaust will typically just pull our but when reinstalling you will need to remove the 'chimney' cover on the outside of the van to re fit the pipe correctly.

[@nickmarshall7019]

Hi John. I have an RM184 fridge in my VW T25. Whenever the ambient temp gets above between 18-20 C the fridge fan starts up. I supect its the temp sensor needs replacing. Have you come across this and what would you recommend? A new sensor? Cheers Nick

[@motorsonny]

My RM212F Electrolux only gets 6V when the car is running, I assume this is an issue correct? Not the correct tension so it seems. Or could this be normal ?

[@ToTheGarage]

It should be 12v as you suspected

[@davidmacdonald4922]

Hi. Thanks for a really helpful video. Have you any suggestions as to where I can source a replacement thermocouple for an Electrolux RM212F? Thanks Dave

[@ToTheGarage]

If you type that code into Ebay's search field, a few come up, both new and used👍

[@brianmarsh4498]

John, as most sites I go on to have 240v hook up I am thinking of doing away with a few of the gas items, obviously not the cooker. Like removing completely [not just stop using gas] the gas section on caravan heater, also the gas section on the carver water heater and the gas section on the 3 way fridge, caravan is 20 yrs old, do you think any of this could work? Nice vid, look forward to part 2.

[@ToTheGarage]

Absolutely. The 3-way fridge (with gas) and 2 way fridge 12v and 240V only functionally differ by having a burner`(and associated valves and pipes at the base of the heater tower) eliminating them is easy and will have no detrimental effects. Again the carver water heaters have entirely independent systems and the gas burner arrangement is all 'outside' the van and easily removed. indeed mine is removed due to corrosion rendering it useless and i would only have to remove the igniter system and supply pipe to achieve a gas free unit. For me the gas is also only actively used for the hob and other gas systems are just backups for the once in a blue moon need to keep the fridge cool without electric supply.

[@brianmarsh4498]

@@ToTheGarage John, thanks for reply. I am sure a lot of us are looking forward to part 2. [cannot get the 12v side of fridge working] As your own water heater is not 100% working do you not think that you could do a three part vid on how to remove the gas side of fridge, gas side of water heater, gas side of caravan heater and then show us the item working without any gas connection? Thanks

[@danielfarthing4651]

@@ToTheGarage if we can smell amonia is the fridge finished?

[@cipriancostinstoica740]

Hy it must be tuned for perfect operation???

[@shotavardosanidze2892]

my fridge first froze the freezer at 12 volt battery but for past two weeks it doesnt freeze the freezer i have it for like 2 years what should I do? I cleaned the gas chimney and after that it doenst work, I cleaned it because it was not Working in GAS

[@stephenball3504]

Its been left for about 30 hours. Can hear the liquids moving about. The pipework on the back is getting warm, but the inside of the fridge doesnt appear to be getting cold.

[@dylanarnejo6941]

i found this searching for something of a videogame, it was a good background sound

[@ToTheGarage]

Cheers Dylan

[@bythecmc]

no sound of any fluid when turned upside down, no leaks. any ideas pls

[@bellben]

What happened to part 2? Are they still sitting on your bench?

[@ToTheGarage]

Nope.🤣 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ69d5icpZWafdk

[@bellben]

@@ToTheGarage I didn't look hard enough 😅

[@bellben]

@@ToTheGarage I just took my old dometic rm361 out and it actually worked. Its cooling again. Everything looks really good, even has the paint on it still. Hardly any spider webs and dirt too.

[@julesrost]

I think the swiller thing in the chimney is to keep the heat from the flame from escaping

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Jules👍

[@petercain4384]

Hi can I transport a dometic fridge with freezer on top on its side in my car for 10 miles to get it home?

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi Peter. If its a condenser like these. ie makes no noise when plugged in. If its a domestic style compressor fridge. (has a pump and hums when plugged) then no. It has to be transported upright. ( you may get away with it if you leave it a few days stood upright before you switch it on, but no one will recommend it, me included)

[@petercain4384]

Hello again its a dometic 3 way fridge freezer not domestic

[@ToTheGarage]

🤣I know Unfortunately the words are a bit close but I typed accurately If I use the word ‘house’ rather than ‘domestic’ in my previous message then it is probably clearer.

[@petercain4384]

Hi garage bit confused, with it been a caravan 3 way fridge would it be OK to transport it on its side🤔

[@ToTheGarage]

@@petercain4384 yes fine👍 Just stand it upright for 24hrs before use

[@janekrts]

Telford N112 fridge is working on gas but not on electricity neither 230v or 12v, both heating coils are working as they get hot but not cooling inside. Any idea what could it be? Thank you

[@ToTheGarage]

If the Gas works then it still has ammonia in the system and if the electric heaters can raise the temperature enough to make the top of the chimney warm, then it should work.🤔. Thermostat is faulty maybe?

[@janekrts]

Thanks for that 👍👍👍

[@ChrisBulpitt1]

Hi there, can’t find part 2 !!

[@ToTheGarage]

Hi Chris. Apologies not got around to Part 2 yet. For me the good part of the reason for that, is that the small fridge operated perfectly once the gas side had been cleaned and the ammonia moved around by inverting it. Thats the one I needed to get going urgently as it was holding up my VW T2 rebuild. The Larger fridge needs the electrical side sorting. Thanks for the nudge though, I will get going on Part 2 ASAP

[@sueruddy]

Please do part 2...... The larger fridge is exactly the same as the one I have in my Ford transit camper that has never worked as long as I’ve had it. Not with gas or electric. So I’m waiting with anticipation for the next instalment. Fab job with part 1 by the way, very informative and gives me the confidence to have a go...... well sod it what’s the worst that can happen? It’s already buggered !

[@jeffhopkins409]

How do you get the dial off for the gas on the LHS as you look from the front? I don't want to break it !

[@ToTheGarage]

On the larger fridge all the knobs pull straight out and off. They are all D shaped shafts.

[@jamesbishop9053]

Hi John, great video but you didn't cover the gas parts/igniter on the Electrolux RM212 Fridge; is it possible you could do a video?

[@angelamelville67]

That's what I came to see. I think mines the RM212,F. Ignition isn't clicking all of a sudden on mine 👎🏻

[@addoconda]

Great thanks

[@ToTheGarage]

You are welcome addoconda👍

[@torquaytoffee561]

Is that trago carpet.... mid brown dog discard ?

[@ToTheGarage]

Trago! You don't think us up north can afford to shop at TRAGO!🤣

[@paulthompson1654]

Gas service , check pressure at burner ,clean flu , fit a spiral to flu , clean replace gas jet ,check ignitor clearance , ensure burner heat exits van properly . A/C voltage ,measure voltage ,check for volt drop 12v dc check voltage , check for volt drop ----Installation rear of fridge fit within 25mm of van wall ---Condenser cooling fit 2 x 90 mm computer fans 60cfm each minimum on upper wall exit vent . Operate on a 47--50c thermostat create duct work condenser to exit vent [fans mounted inside duct ] ---thermal heat transfer paste between goes hard [evaporator coil thermal join to fridge tubing ] ---fridge seal --evap drain clean

[@ToTheGarage]

Thanks Paul. a great checklist

[@alternateimpact81]

My norcold 1.7 cubic foot 3 way stopped cooling on all 3 settings, and had a foul smell. I assume it must be leaking, and is now garbage.

[@ToTheGarage]

Foul smell is usually Amonia, If so then the system has a leak and its usually uneconomic to repair and refill them. Sorry

[@alanyarwood5369]

Hi can i rattle your brain. I have a bluefin 3 way fridge. It works on 240v. I want to run it on gas. Ive bought a 1/4 bsp hose tail left hand thread fitting, fitted it to a butane gas bottle and reg. Ive given the back a rub over with a brass wire brush inc the gas jet thermo coupling. Eventually i got it lit. A small blue flame. I let it run for 24 hrs. I felt the back of the fridge and the tubes wernt even warm. Any advice. I know the fridge is now discontinued. Contacted there customer service and they havent a clue.

[@ToTheGarage]

Obviously if you have a flame, the chimney should get hot eventually🤔 i wuld sweep the chimney with a bottle brush and check the jet again and make sure the gas pressure is sufficient.

[@bruceboucher2134]

Turn it upside down for 24Hrs let the ammonia settle turn it back check the heating element has power off you go

[@ToTheGarage]

Simples👍

[@jagvette1]

you said the second fridge had a good gurgleon, is that from Harry Potter :)

[@ToTheGarage]

🤣👍

[@robertc4257]

Good instructional video, but lose the adjustable spanner mate and use proper tools.

[@ToTheGarage]

Fair comment😁

[@superstallionok]

Where’s part 2

[@ToTheGarage]

right here superstalionok kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ69d5icpZWafdk