Date:         Mon, 26 Jun 2006 11:45:34 -0400
Reply-To:     Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: dometic pilot goes out when thermostat turned up

Are you sure it is going out when you turn the gas up,and not down? You got
lots of propane? I guess it is either the orifice being clogged at the
burner,or the apparatus at the thremistat. Either needs the frig removed
from the van.

Before removeing the frig, try placing a wet,hot wash cloth of the top of
the evaperator plate( the aluminum ice cube tray holder). The thermistat
probe is at the top of this plate. Just a hollow tube that is 1/16 inch in
diameter and about 2 feet long.It is coiled at the rear ,outside part of
the frig.It is filled with r12 and will expand, actuating the flame
increase mechinism.Try to heat it up and see what happens as far as the
burner flame goes. It should increase if the probe was cold. Next , put an
ice pack on it and see what happens.I think by doing this, you can overide
the mechanical knob mechinism. Maybe the r12 has leaked out.This is
probably your problem.

Next, remove the frig.Clean the orifice with a cleaner then rinse with
alcohol. I used battery acid for a cleaner. The thermiostat knob assembly
may need to be taken apart and cleaned,but make a manometer first($2), and
see if the thermiostat is working.

 There is a aluminum bolt like thingie on the thermistat,with a small screw
in the end. Remove the bolt part and a spring and disk will come out. Clean
em up and spray some carb cleaner inside.Do this last,after the manometer
test.

You can make a manometer and attach it to the end of the orifice(removed
from the burner, but still attached to the thin aluminum supply tube. Pull
up yahoo and type in manometer for good instructions to build and use a
manometer.Use a vynil tube the diameter of the orifice's threaded part,
where it goes into the burner. You can actually see the collum of water
rise and fall with the two different pressures used for the two different
flame sizes.If you are not getting this change of pressures, go to the
above paragraph and take the thermistat apart and clean it.Be careful and
take note of how the disk is oriented in the bolt thingie.It will only work
in the proper installation direction.



I have never ever seen any problems ever with the control knobs and
switches on the front of the 182b. Period.None of them. Never a  problem.
The problem is always in orifice. the r12 can leak out and then you may
have a problem with the thermistat on the front of the 182 b. the probe
soes look rather fragile.Very expensive . I think Bus Boys has it.