Used parts for discontinued Dometic fridge

[NorwayNeil]

Hi All, Anybody know a scrapyard for old motorhomes/caravans? I need the small neon igniter bulb for my 19 years old Dometic fridge model RM 6401LH. One of the wires has broken off right at it's exit from the glass, so it's not possible to solder back on. When in it's holder it looks like attached photo. Thanks in advance.

 

[gus-lopez]

https://www.essexcaravanbreakers.co.uk/


https://www.caravanbreakers.net/

 

[SandraL]

<Broken link removed>

If its a standard neon bulb working at 240 vac then one of these might fit in. Dont forget to add the required resistor, detail in ebay advert. Assume local ebay may have similar items

 

[Two on Tour]

Here are some small neon lamps that might do the job.

<Broken link removed>

 

[Gellyneck]

Maybe try https://www.inter-spares.co.uk/

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[NorwayNeil]

<Broken link removed>

If its a standard neon bulb working at 240 vac then one of these might fit in. Dont forget to add the required resistor, detail in ebay advert. Assume local ebay may have similar items

It'll be 12v in the motorhome won't it?

 

[SandraL]

Aagh, I had assumed that the illuminate lens was for the mains element since neons work from mains.

You call it an igniter bulb, what does this lamp indicate ? Ignition of gas burner?

In your picture there is some sleeving, is there a resistor hiding under the sleeving?

If you use a voltmeter set to AC volts, 750 range, on the terminals the lamp connects to what reading do you get, this when trying to ignite the gas burner.

My suggestion is that the lamp may be connected to indicate when ignition sparks are happening, so not a mains supply but would still illuminate a neon?

By now you must realise I havent seen your type of fridge so am making a guess!

 

[NorwayNeil]

Aagh, I had assumed that the illuminate lens was for the mains element since neons work from mains.

You call it an igniter bulb, what does this lamp indicate ? Ignition of gas burner?

In your picture there is some sleeving, is there a resistor hiding under the sleeving?

If you use a voltmeter set to AC volts, 750 range, on the terminals the lamp connects to what reading do you get, this when trying to ignite the gas burner.

My suggestion is that the lamp may be connected to indicate when ignition sparks are happening, so not a mains supply but would still illuminate a neon?

By now you must realise I havent seen your type of fridge so am making a guess!

Thanks for that. The MH is parked 10 miles away and it's dark here already, I'll check voltage tomorrow as you suggest.
The light is on the fridge, it flashes each time the gas igniter sparks to light the pilot then stays on when the burner thermocouple is happy. Without it, I have to go outside to check if the pilot light is lit for the fridge and wouldn't know if it blows out later.

 

[NorwayNeil]

Thanks for that. The MH is parked 10 miles away and it's dark here already, I'll check voltage tomorrow as you suggest.
The light is on the fridge, it flashes each time the gas igniter sparks to light the pilot then stays on when the burner thermocouple is happy. Without it, I have to go outside to check if the pilot light is lit for the fridge and wouldn't know if it blows out later.

I checked the voltage using a decent quality digital meter & the fridge button pressed in to make the piezo igniter spark: On ACv it read zero, on DCv it jumped to 53v - 58v at each spark; there's possibly a lag in the display readout, but how much??

 

[SandraL]

ELECTROLUX LOISIRS RM6401 Operating instructions | Manualzz

View online(29 pages) or download PDF(684.33 kB) ELECTROLUX LOISIRS RM6401LH User manual • RM6401LH fridge-freezers pdf manual download and more ELECTROLUX LOISIRS online manuals

manualzz.com

This link allows a download of a rm6401 L model.

In it there is detail of the auto ignition version which is what I assume you have.

The ignition indicator lamp flashes while there is sparking. The manual makes no mention of lamp staying on.

But it is not quite the same model as yours, no H at end on this manual.

If it only has to flash while igniting then I think the signal you see may turn on a neon bulb. They are certainly quite cheap here in uk. Once again there may be a resistor under the sleeving, if so you will need to reuse it.

I am at a loss to explain how the lamp, if it is a neon, could stay on after the flame has lit and ignition stops.

Anyone else want too add to this? Please!

Edit, see para 5.2.3. 2 Auto Ignition. This details actions of the lamp.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[autorouter]

In your picture there is some sleeving, is there a resistor hiding under the sleeving?

I'm sure there is. Check with the multimeter, on a resistance range. it might be quite a high value. It's a physically small resistor, so it's a low power one, 1/8 watt maybe. That resistor can probably be re-used, if not a resistor of the same value but the same or higher power will do. The colour stripes indicate the resistance value and the percent tolerance. Look up 'Resistor color code' or post a photo.

I checked the voltage using a decent quality digital meter & the fridge button pressed in to make the piezo igniter spark: On ACv it read zero, on DCv it jumped to 53v - 58v at each spark; there's possibly a lag in the display readout, but how much??

You'd need an oscilloscope to register that voltage, it's a fast piezo-electric pulse. If it causes a spark in an air gap, it's at least several hundred volts.
Edit: If it's the electronic -ignition version then it's not piezo-electric. Do you press the button once, and keep it pressed until the flame ignites? A piezo-electric sparker gives one spark per button press, and a loud clunk each time. Or is it fully automatic, just switch on the gas and it all works automatically?

 

[NorwayNeil]

ELECTROLUX LOISIRS RM6401 Operating instructions | Manualzz

View online(29 pages) or download PDF(684.33 kB) ELECTROLUX LOISIRS RM6401LH User manual • RM6401LH fridge-freezers pdf manual download and more ELECTROLUX LOISIRS online manuals

manualzz.com

This link allows a download of a rm6401 L model.

In it there is detail of the auto ignition version which is what I assume you have.

The ignition indicator lamp flashes while there is sparking. The manual makes no mention of lamp staying on.

But it is not quite the same model as yours, no H at end on this manual.

If it only has to flash while igniting then I think the signal you see may turn on a neon bulb. They are certainly quite cheap here in uk. Once again there may be a resistor under the sleeving, if so you will need to reuse it.

I am at a loss to explain how the lamp, if it is a neon, could stay on after the flame has lit and ignition stops.

Anyone else want too add to this? Please!

Edit, see para 5.2.3. 2 Auto Ignition. This details actions of the lamp.

SandraL : Firstly, thank you very much for your help & perseverance. I have a printed copy of the manual in 4 languages, including English, but the PDF is more useful, I'll keep a copy on my phone.
Secondly, my mistake, the lamp does NOT stay on once the thermocouple is triggered and the pilot is lit. Doh!

 

[NorwayNeil]

I'm sure there is. Check with the multimeter, on a resistance range. it might be quite a high value. It's a physically small resistor, so it's a low power one, 1/8 watt maybe. That resistor can probably be re-used, if not a resistor of the same value but the same or higher power will do. The colour stripes indicate the resistance value and the percent tolerance. Look up 'Resistor color code' or post a photo.

You'd need an oscilloscope to register that voltage, it's a fast piezo-electric pulse. If it causes a spark in an air gap, it's at least several hundred volts.
Edit: If it's the electronic -ignition version then it's not piezo-electric. Do you press the button once, and keep it pressed until the flame ignites? A piezo-electric sparker gives one spark per button press, and a loud clunk each time. Or is it fully automatic, just switch on the gas and it all works automatically?

Thanks for the info & clear explanation. I've stripped the heat shrink off & attached a close up of the resistor & bulb. I measured 100k Ohms across the resistor, but that doesn't agree with the colour coding from your link?
Yes, mine is fully automatic; the bulb keeps flashing when I switched the fridge to gas, I keep the Thermostat button pressed in for 20 seconds and, if the thermocouple is up to temp', the pilot stays lit when I release. If the pilot blows out, the igniter starts clicking and the bulb starts flashing (if I had a new bulb!).

 

[autorouter]

measured 100k Ohms across the resistor, but that doesn't agree with the colour coding from your link?

Brown, black, yellow, gold. Brown, black = 1, 0. Yellow = x10k, so 10 x 10k = 100k. Gold = +/-5%

I found at least one resistor colour code chart from a Google search that is just plain wrong. Very useful if you want to know which sites to avoid.

 

[The Old Man]

Home Page | Caravan Breakers ..

Welcome to the Caravan CentreWe are the UK’s LARGEST breaker in this field.Shop NowFantastic Low Cost Caravans For Sale!Why not check out our latest range of caravans for sale.Shop NowCASH FOR CARAVANSMOTORHOMESDo you have an unwanted Caravan or motorhome? Let us take that off your hands.Find...

www.caravanbreakers.net

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[NorwayNeil]

Brown, black, yellow, gold. Brown, black = 1, 0. Yellow = x10k, so 10 x 10k = 100k. Gold = +/-5%

I found at least one resistor colour code chart from a Google search that is just plain wrong. Very useful if you want to know which sites to avoid.

Now that I know the resistor's rating, does that get me any closer to finding a bulb? Those advertised on links above are for 110v or 240v AC; can I use them with this resistor? Thanks.

 

[NorwayNeil]

Now that I know the resistor's rating, does that get me any closer to finding a bulb? Those advertised on links above are for 110v or 240v AC; can I use them with this resistor? Thanks.

Well, thanks to Leisure Shop Direct I now know that the bulb is 230v/0.5w .. Getting there