Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 16:58:06 -0500
Reply-To: Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@MTS.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@MTS.NET>
Subject: Re: Today's odd repair
In-Reply-To: <4D7AD15A-643F-4476-AAC1-FE655100DE81@mac.com>
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My fridge has been more or less reliable over the past 23 years so
I'm reluctant to service it. "If it ain't broke ..."
My main concern is that pulling the fridge might result in the flame
blowing out frequently if I don't reinstall it just right. Is this a
real concern or am I making this up?
I mentioned in a previous post I found smoke coming out of my flue
last week when running on propane! Didn't notice any smell, burning
plastic or otherwise. I assumed I burnt a bug or two in the
combustion chamber?
What's the best way to clean? Take apart the flue and vaccuum I guess?
Thanks as always!
Jeff
On 4-Sep-08, at 4:47 PM, Kim Brennan wrote:
> I'm not yet one of those dumping the Dometic Fridge. Mine has worked
> well in the past. of course I haven't used it this year, what with my
> camper being laid up for 4 months due to a dead engine.
>
> So I had noted that fridge wouldn't start on propane when I was
> inspecting things. More importantly it wasn't actually sparking to
> light the propane. Knowing this would require pulling the fridge, I
> had put it off for a few months until I had the time to devote to the
> project.
>
> Now that I'm on holiday from work (some would call it a vacation), it
> was time to pull the fridge, and inspect. I had previously (couple of
> years ago) replaced the sparker, after the wire to the sparker had
> frayed and allowed it to catch on fire (quickly doused with a spot of
> halon.) So I doubt it was the combustion chamber (though odder things
> are possible.) Still the fridge worked fine on AC and DC. So it was,
> find out what was the matter with the ignition circuit.
>
> So I pulled it and started inspecting. To make a short story, long...
> it was the ignitor. This is a black capsule that sits on top of the
> fridge, and actually sends the current to the sparker. In my case, it
> was obviously damaged (melted plastic, discolored pc board.) Since
> this is a sealed unit, I ordered a replacement from GoWesty.
>
> I'm thankful that we have good vendors to get these miscellaneous
> parts from. Helps keep our beasties on the road.
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