Date:         Mon, 2 May 2005 17:19:37 -0400
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Re: stupid refig. question-newbie on the frig
In-Reply-To:  <42767D63.4030600@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

I meant to follow up on the fridge issue with some additional comments,
since I just finished servicing my fridge.

First and foremost, make sure you have propane. Turn the burners on.
Run them for at least a couple of minutes (lit) and make sure they
continue. If you are running low on propane your fridge just won't work
very well.

As to the concept that there are two propane lines....yes, there are
two lines from a Tee connector, but there is only one regulator (on
stock Westies), and the two lines are effectively still one (the
pressure in them is all the same.)  Think of it as a U with the
regulator at the bottom of the U.

For service, you may find it easier to work at night, when you can get
a nice dark place to see if the burner is going. It's also a lot
quieter then and you should be able to hear the propane burner if all
is working.

There really aren't many things that can go wrong with the system. You
do need a positive draft on the flue (i.e. hot exhaust should be going
out the exhaust, which causes fresh air to come in via the fresh air
side of the flue.) That's what holding in the button for a couple of
minutes is supposed to be help set up.

If holding in the button doesn't cause the fridge to light (staying lit
is a separate topic), then you need to find out why. Pulling the fridge
isn't hard, though it can be something to tackle over the weekend so as
to not frustrate you too far into the night. Clean the combustion
chamber. Take a look at the igniter (the wire with the braided
covering). It might need it's end cleaned and adjusted (best guesswork
as to what distance from the slitted propane burner....I used about 7mm
separation.)

If the button allows the burner to light, but it doesn't stay lit, then
you may have a pressure issue. Propane pressure can be insufficient due
to a number of reasons, but the most common one is lack of propane. If
you have just filled up, that can be eliminated. A propane leak is
another. If the propane is on and your van sits over night (all closed
up) you should NOT smell any propane when you open it up in the
morning. If you do, you have a leak. Get some soapy water and apply it
to the various connections to find the leak. A hydrocarbon leak tester
may also work. Don't use an open flame.

If you don't have a leak, then consider the pressure regulator. The
original one (I think) has an adjustment for pressure. After market
ones are sealed. I just opened mine up a little (I had previously
adjusted it tight so that I probably had too little pressure). My
fridge worked great all weekend.

Cleaning the combustion chamber is a good thing every couple of years.
Ash does accumulate.

I'd be interested in finding a source for high temperature gaskets such
as used on the combustion chamber, if anybody has ideas.