Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2007 18:25:14 -0600
Reply-To: Paul Chubbuck <paul@TAKINGFLIGHT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Paul Chubbuck <paul@TAKINGFLIGHT.NET>
Subject: SOLUTION - Refrigerator did cool, but no more!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
For those who are also having problems with their Dometics not cooling well
on propane after maintainence, but they still cool well on AC, here's an
update.
I took mine out and apart once again. I focused on the gas nozzle and the
combustion chamber, suspicious that possibly the flame was lower than it
should've been. The previous time, I had done the alcohol cleaning and blew
through it afterwards by mouth. But when it was worse afterwards, I
wondered if I had actually introduced foreign particles, now partially
clogging the nozzle....or maybe dislodged oxidation particles without
getting rid of them. This time, I followed the advice of Roger (see his
link below) and cleaned the nozzle in acid. He recommends battery acid. I
used muriatic acid from my hardware store. Afterwards, I rinsed in very
clean water, and used a high pressure air can to blow through the
nozzle...the type you use to clean off computers.
I also made various attempts to seal the combustion box and chimneys more
completely against leakage. This was not yet successful. Nonetheless, I
put it back together and now the gas is cooling again.
One night it ran all night on propane. In the morning the temperature of
the cooling fins was 15 when the interior of the van was 73.
The next night it ran all night on AC. In the morning the temperature of
the cooling fins was 13 when the interior of the van was 72.
That's close enough for me. I believe it is performing as well now as it
ever has.
I'm going to make one more attempt to seal off the system better.
Imperfectly sealed, it supposedly goes out more easily, especially when
driving.
I'm happy again with my Dometic....well, at least satisfied for now. Good
luck.
Paul
----------
Follow this link to Roger Sisler's photos and instructions on fridge
repairs:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/90778605@N00/N82695
If the link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it from this email into
your browser's address bar.
See you on Flickr!
rogersisler2000
