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Date:         Thu, 13 Jul 2000 08:49:02 -0700
Reply-To:     Bill Davidson <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Davidson <wdavidson@thegrid.net>
Subject:      Re: FW: lighting fridge on propane
Comments: To: Doug Alcock <dgalcock@hewitt.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

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


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