Club Arnage

I've got one of these 3 way fridges. Being a true "bloke" who doesn't need the instructions, I threw them away when I bought the fridge a couple of years ago.
Now, having never tried to run it on gas, I'm scuppered. I can't seem to get it to work.

Does anyone have any ideas?

It's a Combi Cool absorption fridge, 40 Ltres capacity approx.

Thanks.

You've got mail mate.

Rusty

Most caravans use for the gas heater 2 aa batary's for ignition.

Maybay its the same with coolers.

Check for 2 penlites


.

We've got a Combicool - my recollection is that you mustn't touch the controls for the electric when you've got it on gas as that cuts the gas off.  So you turn it to gas and then leave it alone!

Lighting can be tricky, the auto ignition is a bit flakey on mine, I'd recommend sticking a long match through the lighting hole at the bottom!

Also, if you've not run it on gas for a while, I'd turn it upside down overnight and let it all settle before turning it back up again - not sure what it does but it works!   

Also make sure its level when you run it, our first one wasn't very sensitive but the second one needs to be really flat before it works.

What's the actual problem, Nobby??

Does the gas jet light OK, but the fridge still doesn't work, or can't you get it to light?

If the former, and it works OK on electric, it's probably the thermocouple.  If the latter, don't forget you have to hold the gas button down when you light it, and hold it down for 10-15 seconds after you light it to warm up the flame-failure device.

If it works OK on electricity, there's no point in inverting it (sorry Anita) - the refrigeration plant is the same for all 3 modes - only the heat source changes.

If all else fails, you'll have to pitch near me and borrow some amps from the genny.

Del

Del,

It's just a problem with getting the gas ignition working. I've been given a few pointers now, so phase 2 will commence tonight, after work.

Thanks.

It's quite difficult to tell if it is lit.  If you put your hand over the outlet at the top of the fridge (at the top of the ignition bit) you should feel a bit of heat, but the fridge is virtually silent.  We've spent ages thinking it's not lit to discover that it was lit all along!

Hi Nobby,

One other thing.........if you get the pilot light working and it still does not cool......

Turn the fridge upside down for a few minutes,upright and the try again.Being an absorbtion fridge the refridgerant is ammonia crystals, and sometimes they solidify ,therefore by turning upside down breaks up the crystals and redistributes onto the heater.

The other thing with absorbtion fridges is that they have to be perfectly level in use otherwise they won't work efficently.

Wishy

That works for the combi cool last year at LM it lit but did not cool so we emptied it turn it upside down for a hour or two the put it the right way up (we have fitted a spirit level in the control panel to get ours level) lit it and hay presto cold beer working fine....

Oh one thing to remember with the Combi cool version is the gas part will not work if the thermostat for the elastictricery part is set to anything other than off! And don't ever set the gas thermostat to High only go to 3/4 max cold....

Any luck with the fridge, Nobby??

Del

We've had bother with those damn things in the past, they seem to respond well to a right good kicking from a few hot and thirsty blokes.  Another problem is capacity- the beer is never in long enough to cool properly.
 Last year we fitted a huge truck battery and a 2000w invertor in the van and took a chest freezer which we got down to temp before leaving. Result- gallons of ice cold beer and poo for everyone!

I was just been thinking we havent had the "How to keep your beer cold" thread yet this year!! 

Have we all become so sophisticated that no-one digs a pit and uses the wet cloth, condensation and convection method any more?

 ;D

You on about the free love again, Fran??  8)

Del

well a thread on keeping beer cool would come in handy as i wont have a fridge or anything to keep mine cool so any help will be great :)

Was looking at those 3-way fridges for family camping later in the year ...are they worth the dosh ?

I havn't been camping without one for years.  Always take 2 now - the fixed one in the 'van for Mrs D to put food in, and a free-standing one for the beer.

Have a look at prices in the UK before you go - then compare in France.  They sell them in the big supermarches.  May not be too much difference these days with the state if the GBP, but they used to be much cheaper over there.

Del

Kev, tie some bottles with string like the French do with onions, place these around your neck the cool air passing over the glass as you are being chased all over your camp site by The Gimp, Bondi babe, Paula and Lady PP, should keep them cool as long as you can stop long enough to drink one or two. ;)

Myself and my fellow travellers have just got used to drinking beer at ambient temperature or paying the big bucks for Leffe at the Stella Bar.

the looks im getting in work from laughing is un real now  :laugh: thank you for cheering my day up  ;)

They are probably more use for family camping than Le mans, as the throughout of beer is too quick to really properly chill a beer, whereas the kiddies chocolates and a few rashers of bacon will keep OK.

Yes, yes and thrice yes ;D

Seconded  ;D

Pretty big piece of kit though...you wanna see the size of our camping trailer  ;D

Would add that they run brilliantly on 240v and gas, not totally convinced that they work at their best on 12v though.

I use to take a 3 way fridge ..........but now we take the genny and the freezer.

All fixed and working, thanks to the wisdom and advice of the CA collective.
Thanks to all those who contributed.