Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:58:51 -0700
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Boring report on things Dometic and RUST! --- ;^)
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Hi all.
Well I'm sitting here with my 3rd, nay 4th Becks and felt like
writing. Or beATCHhing. Depending on how you look at it!
--- :^)
Aside from my engine conversion work, I had the need to have a Dometic
that would be easier to relight once the thermostat was turned down.
(flame would go out after turning it down at night) FWIW, part of the
relighting problem may have been due to the **slight** leak I found on
the combustion box. (plug one hole. Blow on the other to check) Plus I
suspect that the thermocouple in the combustion chamber was faulty
too. Anyhow.....
As part of the Dometic improvements, I unhooked and removed the city
water hook up (I'll be installing a fan a la Mark Drillock or Karl
Mullendore's mod ..... sorry can't recall who it was right now.....
but it sure looks like a GREAT idea). As I was removing the Yellow
Fetid Factory Fiberglass Insulation, I fished around behind the
cabinet at floor level, swatted aside a bunch of rust, and......
PUT MY FINGER RIGHT THROUGH THE G-DAMN SHEET METAL. Sorry for the caps. ACK!
At least I have a MIG welder. Ha ha ha ha ha! "Warp warp warp" (tongue
in cheek --- ;^)
Anyhow. Back to Dometic Land.
Managed to swap the front plastic panel from my 182A to my recently
tested "Spare Works and ReLights on LP Way Better" 182B. (182A panel
had switch/wiring I installed. Was easier to swap it all this way)
FWIW, the gas valve is a different design (182A - longer shaft "one
piece" to valve. 182B - shorter, two pieces) and requires ( so far as
I can see right now) that a larger washer of some type be
glued/spitballed/welded/stapled/pop-riveted/duct taped or simply
placed, against the back of the plastic panel of the 182A. The hole is
smaller on the 182B and a circlip is involved in keeping it all
together........ if that makes sense. The 182A, you just push the knob
on to the one piece longer shaft. The 182A panel will fit, but it
requires that you remove two screws that are "in the way" from
allowing it to seat flush to the box. Then, after installing the two
middle screws, redrill for the outside screws. Also, as has been noted
I'm sure, the 182A flame indicator meter appears to work just peachy
with the 182B. It requires you drill two more holes for this amazing
option.
I hope to have all this installed tomorrow. The rust? Well, no POR on
hand to slow it down (really. How does one slow down a hole??? --- ;^)
so I'll tackle that shite another day.
The really great news, is that my engine conversion is running well. I
took it for a run up to Squamish (~ 1/3 - 1/2 the way to Whistler
B.C.) and overall it ran great. Even temps, and good power. I'll be
taking some much needed travel time soon, so will be assembling some
video footage of my conversion adventures soon.
Cheers,
Neil.
--
Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
