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Post by robeco on Oct 27, 2011 8:17:54 GMT 10
Hi Folks,
I'm a newbie to caravaning. Have bought a 1978 11ft York, gas certificate supplied.
The fridge works fine on electricity. I can turn the isolator gas tap on, and the gas dial on at the base of the fridge, but how do I light the pilot? Reading on the net suggests that I need to be connected to 12 volts to fire an automatic starter? Is that correct? (The screwed in window seems to discourage lighting it with a match.)
Any help greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Bob
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2011 11:10:05 GMT 10
Hi Bob and welcome to the forum. From what I know of gas fridges, the actually pilot light is at the back of the fridge. The screwed in window that your talking about may actually be a reflector so you can see if the pilot flame is lit or not. Once you've turned the isolator on and set the dial to gas, there should be a piezo switch (like the one on your bbq) that you press in (might need a couple of pushs) and hold for 10 seconds once the pilot flame ignites. You'll be able to see the reflection of the flame in the window. I have two of these fridges, one a 2 way and one a 3 way. The piezo switch in same vicinity as the dials on both of them. It looks the same as the igniter on a bbq. I don't know about having to be connected to 12v to fire an automatic starter, but I'm guessing that it would still require pushing a button of some sort. Good luck and no doubt someone with more knowledge and better explanation skills will be along shortly to help out  Cheers Donna |
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Post by millard1399 on Oct 27, 2011 11:51:10 GMT 10
G'day Bob, Donna is on the right track.  I'll spell out the steps for the Tuomatic fridge in my 1977 Millard poptop, and you just ignore anything you already know, ok?  Step 1: Turn gas on at bottle...  Step 2: Turn gas valve on inside kitchen cupboard. This photo shows the gas valve for the stove, but there is a second one under the shelf which leads to the back of the fridge. Same principle...  Step 3: Take cover off the control panel at the bottom of the fridge...  Step 4: Set the thermostat control for the gas temperature to "Coldest"...  Step 5: Move the black sliding switch to the right, to change from 240V elect to gas...  Step 6: Push and hold the gas control button for 10 seconds, and then slowly turn the button to the left until you get to the "Gas On" mark...  Step 7: Check in the viewing window to see if the gas pilot flame has ignited...  If ''yes", hold the control button in for another 20 seconds, before releasing it. If "no", go back and repeat Steps 6 and 7. Like any good bloke usually does, try all those steps a few times, and if it still doesn't work, then "read the instructions"  ...  Step 8: Once you've got it running on gas, turn the gas thermostat control down from "Coldest" to a medium setting. cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2011 12:07:21 GMT 10
Hi Bob, Donna is correct, it's a piezo action. I started mine a few months ago for the first time just to see if it worked - and it did. The controls are at the base of the fridge, as are the printed instructions on how to start it. If you're an old fart like me, you'll have to lay on you're tummy to read them  . There is a clear perspex window on the front LHS at the base - if you look there you will see a blue flame of the pilot light once it's lit - but you have to get right down to see it. If it is yellow you may need a service. I have an original instruction book if you need a copy, let me know. Regards bobbie PS: Al's post says it all with pictures. |
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Post by robeco on Oct 27, 2011 19:50:25 GMT 10
Hey Donna, Al, and Bobbie,
I'm overwhelmed with your kind responses. You are all spot on. And with Al's photos, even I couldn't get it wrong. Do you know, every time I've removed that bottom cover I placed it face down and never saw the instructions! I feel like a STUPID old fart now, but a grateful one!
Armed with my new knowledge, I have just tried the fridge on gas , and it works!
Good on you, you generous people. Thanks again!
Cheers,
Bob
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Post by millard1399 on Oct 27, 2011 20:55:29 GMT 10
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2011 21:21:22 GMT 10
Well done Bob ;D
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2014 23:29:33 GMT 10
Hi everyone. I to have one of these fridges. Works great on 240v. The problem is i can get the Pilate light going however the fridge
Doesn't get cold. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance Scot.
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Post by atefooterz on Dec 24, 2014 0:33:24 GMT 10
G`Day & welcome Scot. there is a thread somewhere that they chat about removing & rollimg the fridge to stir the refrigerant, then settle & they then get cold.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2014 5:17:15 GMT 10
Hi thanks ill give that ago today.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2014 9:50:21 GMT 10
Hi i was wandering if it's working on 240 how come not on gas. Sorry to be a pain.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2014 13:26:54 GMT 10
Hi i was wandering if it's working on 240 how come not on gas. Sorry to be a pain. If it is working Ok on 240V then normally they work as good if not better on gas. Is the pilot light working? ie follow the instructions above. If the pilot isn't working then that's the problem and you may need to get a gas guy in to check the system out. Basically the fridges work by heating the gas, the 240V has a large element, the 12v is a smaller element and the gas is a direct heat source onto a pipe. So as long as there is a small flame sending heat up the flue the fridge should work fine.
Cheers
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Post by greedy53 on Dec 24, 2014 22:03:17 GMT 10
there are a few youtube videos also,i was looking for info on service for my fridge
good luck
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2014 22:50:38 GMT 10
Thanks guys. I got it working. At the back of the flue there is a little plate it was open i closed it and it started working. I guess the hot air was escaping through this hole and not up the flue. I guess the hole is for lighting the pilot lite with a lighter if the auto starter dosent work.
Thanks again.
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Post by lew on Nov 30, 2015 16:24:10 GMT 10
Hi,
Does anyone know where to find the plastic freezer door from a Tuomatic 2 way fridge. Model AR-3
Having no luck at all.
Cheers
Lew
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Post by Buzz on Apr 7, 2016 17:07:37 GMT 10
I have Tuomatic AR-3 ....any ideas how you connect it to run on 12v ? Where is the connection point located on the fridge ....Does the AR3 have a connection point for 12v ? it is in an old Coronet Caravan I've put on a block , piezo ignition works but can't seem to get pilot to stay lit .... Any ideas ? I might try pulling it out rolling it around to redistribute the refrigerant too .... Also would love a copy of schematics if anyone has them
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Post by Mustang on Apr 8, 2016 20:11:08 GMT 10
Hi Buzz,
You will find that 3 x way fridges are quite thirsty for power on 12 v .
The 12 v connection is mainly there for recharging from your tow vehicle, while travelling.
We are currently away at the Nationals & do not have a 12 v connection however a couple of large ice blocks in the freezer help with cooling while travelling.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2016 18:38:08 GMT 10
 Is there a separate switch for 12v or is mine just a 2way. Followed the instructions and my gaslight doesn't want to stay lit . Only lights for a split second and then goes out. Which only happens 1/10 times. Works fine on electric though. Any idea what I should do next Sent from my HTC Desire 820s dual sim using Tapatalk |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2016 10:32:31 GMT 10
 Well I got it too stay lit. As long as it stays blue at the base I'm fine? Sent from my HTC Desire 820s dual sim using Tapatalk |
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Post by Suzygs10000 on Apr 23, 2016 9:18:32 GMT 10
I have an 1980 Millard with a Tuomatic AR-3. The fridge is a 1977 model, and is brilliant. It will make iceblocks on gas, and a 9kg bottle lasts at least 10 days, also using a gas stove. I have looked at the back of mine and I cannot see that it has any wiring for 12 volt, only 240. When I am travelling, I have a 700 watt converter hooked up to the van battery, and this will run the fridge for about 6 or 7 hours while I am travelling. I recharge the battery at night with a 1kw Yamaha. The ideal would be to have a 180wat solar panel on the roof hooked to the battery. This would give you nearly two weeks of travelling camping on a 9 kg gas bottle.
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Post by suzygs1000 on Apr 23, 2016 9:20:03 GMT 10
PS>>>> I forgot to add, after lighting, you need to hold the knob in for about 10 seconds, or the flame will go out ...
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. There is a clear perspex window on the front LHS at the base - if you look there you will see a blue flame of the pilot light once it's lit - but you have to get right down to see it. If it is yellow you may need a service. I have an original instruction book if you need a copy, let me know.
