Date:         Tue, 4 Jun 2002 11:11:01 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: I am scared of my Dometic 182B on LP mode
Comments: To: Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2002060410293168@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 10:29 AM 6/4/2002, Ben huot wrote:
>Ok, lets be serious, what is the danger or the worse thing that can happen
>with a 15 years old propane-operating fridge. I am somewhat scared of
>sleeping in the van or away from this one for a complete day when the
>fridge is working on propane. I got good heat from the vent and no smell at
>all inside the van. The little pilot flame looks constant.
>
>I tighten the propane conduct for safety but what else can I do, or what
>are the danger apart from the pilot flame going off.
>
>I would like to hear feedback from people that have been using the fridge
>on LP mode for some years.

This is a VERY safe system as long as the flues don't leak and the drain
cap is tight under the front of the fridge.  The combustion chamber is
completely sealed, intake air and exhaust both are outside the van.  Even a
leak will generally just make it blow out when you go on the road; and the
automatic shutoff then stops the gas flow.  If an explosive gas mixture
were to enter the air intake there *might* be a problem -- or the cooling
effect of the intake/flue tubes might prevent it from propagating.

Biggest danger is gas leaks at fittings -- a little soapy water will help
you be confident about that.  Fortunately they put lots of schtinkstoffe in
propane, so you can easily detect a small leak by smell.

david


--
David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"