3 way fridge repair, Perth.

[eventyr]

I have a Thetford N304 3 way in the van. (The van is a 2015 so prob fridge is similar age). The pilot is lighting (after some effort) but it is not cooling down on gas. It has been used and abused in some of the toughest dustiest conditions, so pretty impressed it has lasted this long. Any one recommend some quick checks I shouldCarry out and a repairer is I can not fix it myself?

[MDS69]

My brand new at the time 3 way Dometic would light the pilot light but not cool down. Turned out the main jet was blocked with a thread paste. Maybe check your main jet for a build up of dust or something.

[austastar]

Hi,
   yep, pull off the back and expose  the main jet.
(Check the flame height while you can see where it is, it should be like a small Bunsen burner, nice blue flame about 12mm high with a bit of noise)
The only wire I had at the time that was fine enough to clean the junk in the hole, was a strand of wire from a metal flywire screen, but you may find, or some one may suggest a better source.
Take care not to twist pipes as you undo the fittings, a second spanner can help holding the mating fitting.
Cheers

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

[sparksy]

Does it cool on 240v. If so then the fridge itself is ok and wont be a costly fix. As mentioned blow out the burner section, check flame and check to see if a spider has built a web up above the burner, That happened on a old one I had. get a mirror and a torch, shine light down the burner tube and see if it comes down tube. the burner section comes out easily.
https://www.caravansplus.com.au/pdf/ThetfordFridgeManual.pdf

[eventyr]

Does it cool on 240v. If so then the fridge itself is ok and wont be a costly fix. As mentioned blow out the burner section, check flame and check to see if a spider has built a web up above the burner, That happened on a old one I had. get a mirror and a torch, shine light down the burner tube and see if it comes down tube. the burner section comes out easily.
https://www.caravansplus.com.au/pdf/ThetfordFridgeManual.pdf

Thank you so much for the link to the manual! Followed the instructions, removed the orifice - it was covered in dust. Cleaned it with electrical contact cleaner, replaced ... good as new!!

[eventyr]

Pics!

[chester ver2.0]

I had a goldstream with the same fridge.
I found that on 12 volt it was useless so to avoid the problem you had i would simply turn the fridge off when i left camp and had some covers made up for the vents to keep the dust out

I found that over a 6hr travelling day the temp inside the fridge only raised about 2 degrees. I also put some computer fans behind the vent on a switch to bring it back down when i stopped

[GeoffA]

A good result...

FWIW, I'm led to believe that most of the issues related to poor operation on 12v can be traced to inadequate cabling.....but no personal experience to confirm it.....

[Jon Burrell - Tentworld]

12v on any 3 way system is pretty much not good for cooling, but does help you get longer between needing to use gas.  So longer day trips etc. 

It does improve the higher the voltage you can deliver it, but still never sensational, and definitely not something you'd use when your vehicle is switched off.