Date:         Sat, 30 Jul 2005 15:40:08 -0500
Reply-To:     J Roth <rbluewesty@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         J Roth <rbluewesty@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Dometic freezing up
Comments: To: Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2005073015395111@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Ha! I'm assuming they'd be the size of ice cubes when they were first
frozen -- Dometic Cryogenesis.

Anyway - truth be known this began just a week ago when I kept wondering
why it stopped running on propane. I followed the usual direction (@ the
vanagon site) and removed the flue vent. Vacuumed -- with a flexible
tube -- the exhaust vent with some good dirty, rusty results. However,
it didn't help why it would start easily on propane (told you have an
unusual fridge - it actually lights pretty easily) but die out anywhere
from one to 15 minutes. I finally decided it wasn't getting enough
oxygen and flooding. Once again, removing the flue vent, I went further
and removed the cover to expose the fresh air vent. Surprisingly, there
was not only one but *TWO* mud dauber wasps nests! It took some care
with the vacuum and a screwdriver to break the mud nests apart without
pushing them down into the combustion chamber.

This fresh air opening made an ENORMOUS difference in the fridge's
operation. For example, it no longer blows a flame out when traveling
down a road (which it did last year -- when it last worked in propane
mode). I would *highly recommend* adding cleaning out BOTH exhaust and
intake to "ways to improve dometic performance."

Lesson learned? Put the d@m^ cover over the flue vent during wasp season
in June (or heck, maybe "all the time" when no appliances are in use!)
Does anyone else keep the flue cover "always on?"

Now I have a fully operational & and freezing up dometic....I've cleaned
the mastic off the tube (will try to find more and replace it later),
and have MOVED the self-installed interior fan from the top of the fins
to the front.

Wish me luck...
J

BTW -

Roger Sisler wrote:

>Well maybe we can put mine and your refrigerater together and hope they can
>make babies. We can sell the Dometic purebreds.
>
>
>


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