Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2003 08:28:42 -0700
Reply-To: Jim Arnott <jrasite@EONI.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Arnott <jrasite@EONI.COM>
Organization: http://wetwesties.org/
Subject: Re: How can I get the stove/fridge to work 1st time user HELP
PLEASE
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Tracy Bonin wrote:
>Last night after filling it, I tried to test turn everything on. First, I turned the knob on the propane tank a couple of turns. (How much should I be turning it??)
>
All the way (as others have said). Opening it all the way ensures no
leak at the valve stem. The regulator controls the pressure and volume,
so all the way is the right way. ;)
>I started with the stove, cause I figured it's a direct connection no problem right? Well I turn the knobs to the stove and nothing happened. I tried lighting the burners on top with the knobs turned, and nothing.
>
How long did you leave the stove control on? After the tank has been
empty for a while, there's a good chance that the lines are full of air,
not gas. Turn it on and hold your flamethrower over it for a minute or
so. If it doesn't light, then we have a problem. How long has it not
been working? The reason I ask is that there are a couple species of
spiders that seem to have a love of (and tolerance for) a propane
environment. I've seen many instances of clogged propane jets due to
their webs. Usually occurs when the vehicle has been sitting for a long
while.
>I wasn't smelling propane out of them, but then I saw 2 holes, one right next to each burner knobs, I thought that these might be some sort of pilot and maybe the propane won't come out the burners until its lit or some safety thing like that, but the holes seemingly go nowhere.
>
Those are air intakes for the burners IIRC. If they're clogged, you'll
get an orange flame, not the nice blue flame that we've all come to expect.
>
>Next I tried the fridge. I have read through the articles on it, and read that it can be difficult to light. I tried and tried to no avail. First off I followed the directions to the T, but the metal plate with the directions on the fridge are different than what I actually have. It says that once you have everything switched to propane that there are 2 seperate buttons for the air pushing, and the lighting. But mine is all one button, it says to turn so the safety is off, then pull and push in like 5 times, and then click it in until it lights. Well you cannot pull out the button for the air flow if it is turned like it says, and I don't know what to do.
>
What model is your reefer? The service manual for what is typically in a
Westy lives at: <http://wetwesties1.tripod.com> Follow the Dometic link.
Jim
