Finch Fridge - runs lousy on gas

Submitted: Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 14:55

ThreadID: 30008 Views:7362 Replies:7 FollowUps:2

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wortgames

Hi everyone,

I have a secondhand, oldish, 36L Finch Fridge.

It goes great guns on 240v, freezing the ice tray above the evaporator no trouble and keeping the other contents at around zero.

However, when I switch it to gas, it barely works at all.

I don't have any instructions for it, but it seems pretty simple - I am using a 'normal' LP reg (2.8kPa), and there are 3 positions on the gas control - off, big dot, and little dot. Big dot=big flame, little dot=little flame.

So firstly, is there anything I should check?

Secondly, is there some sort of knack to using them on gas (like adjusting flame size at different times etc)?

Finally, can they be serviced? In Melbourne?

This is the second fridge I've owned that won't work on gas, so I'm beginning to think it's all some sort of cruel joke and that it actually can't be done ;o)

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Reply By: Ron173 - Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 15:19

Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 15:19

Had a similair issue with an older electrolux upright fridge, turned out to be the burner and flue needing a clean / blow out. Works a treat now. Most gas fitters will look at it, if you are not willing to take apart yourself,

hope this helps a bit

Ron

AnswerID: 150311

Reply By: Member - Tony G (ACT) - Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 15:42

Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 15:42

Give the flu a good clean and keep it level when running.

AnswerID: 150316

Follow Up By: parthy - Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 17:18

Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 17:18

yep go along with that make sure it is dead level some times if you tip them up side down for aday it makes them work better

FollowupID: 403795

Reply By: DOBBO60 - Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 15:51

Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 15:51

Had the same problem recently with a Chescold RC1180 combi box.
Took it to the local service agent who gave it a gas service, ie clean the jet and burner, removed the rust from the chimney as well as a couple of other things I had him do, now works a treat. Cost me $95.00
Look for a caravan service centre in the yellow pages and see if they service these, as most caravans should have a gas fridge in them.

cheers,

Dobbo60

AnswerID: 150317

Reply By: wortgames - Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 16:49

Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 16:49

Thanks folks, I'm feeling brave so I've pulled the back off and got intimate with the workings. They are pretty simple really.

I've given everything a blast of compressed air to get rid of any crud in the flue and I've blown out the little diffuser thing that goes over the jet. I think the jet itself is OK, but it's a bit fiddly to get to so I won't worry about it too much just yet. If I have no luck after this I'll tackle it.

I've also read that giving them a good shake to mix up the liquids is a good idea, as well as leaving them upside down for a day or two, so I'll do that.

Regarding the flame size, is it simply a matter of bigger flame equals colder fridge, or is there some sort of sequence to follow (like starting with a large flame and then reducing it after a while)?

AnswerID: 150336

Follow Up By: parthy - Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 17:20

Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 17:20

I should haveread further down before i replied

FollowupID: 403796

Reply By: scottp - Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 17:18

Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 17:18

I agree with Tony G,

use a spirit level to set it up. We had an old chescold and it just would not get cold if it wasn't dead level

AnswerID: 150346

Reply By: Gerry - Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 18:01

Monday, Jan 23, 2006 at 18:01

You need to make sure the jet is clean as it can (and does over time) wax up and partially block. Be careful and don't use wire or a needle - wash thouroughly with detergent, turps or the like and blow out with an air hose. The other thing which is quite critical is the gas supply pressure. Measured at the burner, with the pilot burning, it needs to be adjusted to 11 inches water gauge. You will need a manometer for this which you can easily make yourself from some clear, flexible plastic tubing. If it works well on 240, then it's no use shaking it around or turning it upside down.
Cheers
Gerry

AnswerID: 150353