Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2000 11:48:07 -0400
Reply-To: Doug Alcock <dgalcock@hewitt.com>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Doug Alcock <dgalcock@hewitt.com>
Subject: Re: FW: lighting fridge on propane
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Ahhhh.........part of my mojo includes slowly pumping air while I depress the
primer button. Good point
Bill, thanks!
Doug
Equally important as where the gas/thermostat knob is turned is the length
of time you hold in the button until you click the sparker (piezo)... From
the time you push in the button gas is starting to fill the combustion
chamber. The longer the time until you spark the pieze, the more gas in the
chamber... and the less air. If there is the gas/air mixture is too much gas
and not enough air you will get an explosion (loud pop) but there is no air
left to keep the flame going. (Also, working the pump faster/longer and/or
running the fridge on 110 or 12 v for a time before attempting to light on
propane will have some positive effect on available air for combustion.)
So it is more complex than where the gas/thermostat knob is turned. This
timing factor (how long button is held in) explains why some have success
with the know turned all the way down and others have success with the knob
turned all the way up.
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Alcock" <dgalcock@hewitt.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2000 8:19 AM
Subject: Re: FW: lighting fridge on propane
>
>
> Hmmmmm.......my fridge lights reliably with the thermostat up all the way
and
> the 'pop'
> I get when I hit the igniter is a blessed and joyful sound that tells me
my
> fridge just lit. I'm keeping
> my fridge lighting ritual as is and not messing with my mojo now that I've
> finally got it working.
> Bet I'm not the only one thinking this way.............though I'll save
the info
> for a rainy day.
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Recently had the same instances of 'mini-explosions'. I took it to a camper
dealer who called Dometic. They now suggest turning off the thermostat
entirely before lighting the fridge and waiting at least 15 minutes before
turning the thermostat to cool. This procedure works great on my 89 Westy.
The pre-cooling on electric was also suggested.
M Williams
In a message dated 7/13/00 8:13:32, TCarrington@ReliTech.com writes:
<< -----Original Message-----
From: brent@vanagon.com [mailto:brent@vanagon.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 1:57 AM
To: Fred Brittain; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: lighting fridge on propane
Though I am not an expert, I don't think the knob controls the volume of gas
delivered - it is more of a thermostat that controls a cut-off point for
temperature. Given this, it should make no difference vis-à-vis the
"popping" syndrome. I think this is more due to environmental conditions
and bad mojo. Please don't underestimate the power of mojo in getting the
fridge lit. (precious little has been written on the subject)
:-)
Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
Santa Barbara, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Fred Brittain
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 1:37 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: lighting fridge on propane
Just read the vanagon.com article about lighting the fridge. Does
anyone remember when a listee contacted Dometic about this subject and
posted their reply to the list?
The Dometic rep said to turn the temp knob to a very low position when
lighting. I've done exactly that since I read the post and have had no
more trouble lighting up. When I turned the knob all the way to cold,
it wouldn't light but would ignite what sounded like mini-explosions
every few seconds. Same principle as trying to light a propane torch
turned up all the way. It simply does not react to a spark igniter or
blows out a match.
regards,
Fred (former semi-active listee)
89 Westy