Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 12:00:15 -0700
Reply-To: Vince S <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Vince S <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: fridge wont stay lit
In-Reply-To: <001b01c49ffc$ae917600$c200a8c0@vsovaio>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Some corrections:
Absorption refrigerator applies to your Dometic fridge be in in AC, DC,
or propane. The only differences is the AC, or DC heating elements
substitutes for the propane burner.
Although the propane burner is designed able to stay lit driving I don't
know if it is the intention of Weatfalia for such operation. Driving in
extreme windy condition may blow out the flame even though the ports are
side by side. Sufficient wind speed thru them you may create sufficient
pressure differential to blow out the flame.
Most RV FAQ will tell you must keep the fridge (thus the vehicle)
absolutely level. But how level is level?
The Vanagon's Camper Supplement manual actually specifies +/-8 degrees.
This is a huge range and one should not need a bubble level to check it.
If the slop of your Westy is uncomfortable to cook (like your frying pan
is sliding off the stove) inside the Westy you are probably approach
this angle. Please note that this is the fore/aft angle, not side to
side.
- Vince
http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net
1989 Vanagon GL Camper
1993 Mazda Miata (for sale)
1996 Land Rover Discovery
2005 Mini Cooper S
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Vince S
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 10:02 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: fridge wont stay lit
I always switch to battery if I expect to be driving more than 10/15
minutes unless I expect to stop/shop frequently. A few watts on the
alternator is nothing to worry about while getting propane is usually a
real pain. Speaking of propane, how often are list member got gouged by
gas stations not posting the price, or inflate the amount he puts in?
There should be a law to post the price like that for gas.
The fridge vent and intake are design to be able to stay lit driving
because the arrangement of both ports side by side. They see more the
less the same pressure even with the air turbulence with the vehicle in
motion.
If it consistently won't stay lit the refrigerator probably need a
tune-up which mainly consists of cleaning out the combustion chamber and
making sure the vent tubes are not restricted.
Of course there is the remote possibility of the previous owner mess up
servicing it.
Here is a good wealth of information on heat absorption refrigerator -
the propane portion of your Westy fridge. Happy reading.
http://www.rvmobile.com
- Vince
http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net
1989 Vanagon GL Camper
1993 Mazda Miata (for sale)
1996 Land Rover Discovery
2005 Mini Cooper S
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Joy Hecht
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 11:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: fridge wont stay lit
My fridge often goes out when I'm driving. But then I realized that I
could just switch to battery when driving, and it's fine and saves my
propane.
Do some fridges not run on battery, or are you staying on propane
because it's just for short trips and you don't want to hassle with
relighting the propane when you stop?
Joy
****************************************************************
Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy
****************************************************************
:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On
Behalf :::Of Jim Felder
:::Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 7:22 PM
:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: Re: fridge wont stay lit
:::
:::>
:::>
:::> If the fridge is going out when you are driving, then you have an
air :::> leak between the vent and the body of the van. You can try
:::> disassembling the vent and making sure that plate "C" is aligned
with :::> tube "H" Apply silicone sealant along gasket parts "F" and
body and :::> D" and gasket.
