Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:14:24 -0800
Reply-To: Jeffrey Vickers <jeff@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeffrey Vickers <jeff@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Subject: Re: fridge....saga continues
In-Reply-To: <20081110160028.221B74DE1A2@izzy.vickersdesign.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Stu-
I'm not trying to be a smarty pants but if you're going to keep your
van until you are dead or worse, I would seriously consider getting a
Vitrifrigo, Truckfridge or an Isotherm. I had what I would consider a
very good working Dometic and I could never keep anything cold if the
temperature got above 75F outside. I have an Isotherm CR49. All I do
is turn the knob and forget it. Like a real fridge.
Anyway, I also had a hose and fitting made up by a local propane
outfit that allows me to connect a 1 LB cylinder to my propane system
and have a backup supply of propane when my house tank runs out in the
middle of nowhere while I'm cooking breakfast. Doh! I plumbed a "T"
fitting BEFORE the regulator and have a cap/plug screwed in there that
I remove to screw in the aforementioned hose and fitting to the 1 lb
bottle. The hose is about 3 feet long so the bottle can rest on the
ground. It might be possible to screw the 1 lb bottle adaptor right
into the T fitting and skip the hose entirely but I don't know if
there's room enough to fit the bottle under there. You could also
plumb it to work inside the vehicle - like under the sink - but I
wanted to keep it outside just in case the 1 lb bottle springs a leak.
I've had older 1 lb bottles leak when I've removed them from lanterns,
etc., so I don't trust them. Hope that helps.
Jeff / San Anselmo
On Nov 10, 2008, at 7:53 AM, Automatic digest processor wrote:
>
> Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:19:28 -0700
> From: Stu Schwartz <sschwartz999i@COMCAST.NET>
> Subject: fridge....saga continues
>
> Well, I've read most of the articles on the fridge...and I now
> consider myself somewhat of an expert (not really) in removing and
> reinstalling the fridge, having
> done it about 3 times in one day.... btw...this is a '91 fridge
> with electronic spark.
>
> Anyway I've replaced the thermocouple and electronic starter,
> cleaned the firebox (which was very clean btw). I am getting air to
> the firebox as well.
> Anything special about the thermocouple? There are no kinks in it
> and the connections appear tight.
>
> It works on DC and AC.
>
> I now have spark, as indicated by the flashing amber light and
> clicking noise. However, it just won't light. But it just won't
> ignite. I occasionally get a small
> "poof" which sounds like it is getting a puff of propane. Then the
> sparker stops sparking (and the amber light goes out) Also, if i
> turn the thermostat knob
> past the min and/or the propane knob down and or up it will
> sometimes turn the sparker off. If I turn it again the sparker will
> go back on. I fear I am not
> getting propane to the firebox. Anyone have any ideas?
>
> Is there a way to bypass the safety valve to test the fridge? Does
> anyone have any extra fridge parts/pipes like the safety valve?
> This is a part that Go
> Westy and other companies cannot order. I would need to find a
> friendly RV/Dometic dealer to order it.
>
> Also, has anyone ever reconfigured the propane connections to accept
> quick release flexible hosing like you find on grills?. I might be
> interested in
> connecting a small propane cannister for testing the fridge outside
> the van as reconnecting the fridge to test is somewhat of a pita.
>
> This list has been extremely helpful in the past and I'm hoping for
> more luck.
>
> --peace--
> stu
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