Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:44:20 -0700
Reply-To: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Dometic Fridge: Bah Humbug! <grin>
In-Reply-To: <A62F5257-6AD3-4681-BEAE-63491F1FA91A@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi Alistair.
Galaxy Quest? Ha! :)
Not that you were saying this, but yah, I might have caulked
needlessly on the flue fittings. But they're sealed and any excess
would have gotten pushed out of the way. (but not in way of exhaust &
intake openings I think)
Re flue assembly. I aligned manifold to the body. pic:
http://tinyurl.com/2g537pw Gasket held up, holes lined up almost
exactly. SS plate behind flue cover installed with straight edges on
horizontal, hole over exhaust. The only *possibly* error; the aluminum
piece. But I compared the exhaust print and print of manifold, via
gasket, on 2 sets of flue assembly parts.
Offset "O" on AL piece over exhaust outlet as per this pic:
http://tinyurl.com/34rcuex Is that correct?
Never give up yes. But... the thermocouple in combustion box may be
worn too short. I saw a similar or same part on GW for ~ $70. At least
double that of other thermocouples I've seen. And, if interior vent
fan added, that = 4 fans for the Dometic. In hot weather, during
daytime, this might mean a constant 1 Amp draw. IIRC, a DC fridge
draws ~ 2.5 - 3 Amps. But not all the time. And.... it actually keeps
things cool even in really hot weather.
Then again, parts for a DC fridge could be pricey.
I love the idea of a fridge that can be off grid. One that doesn't
cost a bunch of money. But if I'm going to be adding fans to keep the
Dometic *possibly* working in uber hot weather, then I might as well
draw down my battery with an actual fridge.
I do understand though that it's a big outlay of cash for a DC fridge.
Harumph. ;)
Neil.
On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 9:31 AM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
> "never give up, never surrender..."
>
> why the heck did Galaxy Quest infect my brain just then?
>
> Neil, are you sure the external vent fitted correctly? Yeah i know we went
> through all this by pmail, the fiddly plate in there ok? As aside, I only
> caulked between the the rubber gasket and the van wall.
>
> Is the drain line plug in place?
>
> And as other listmember pointed out, is gas pressure to spec?
>
> "by the hammer of grabthar you will be avenged"
>
> alistair
>
>
> On 10-Aug-10, at 10:12 PM, neil n wrote:
>
> Hi all.
>
> Well I pulled the fridge again. Found a ***tiny*** leak at the exhaust
> where it meets the combustion box. Pulled things apart, cleaned,
> checked the jet, (could blow a steady stream of water through) sparker
> made a nice long arc to frame every time. Made a Red RTV gasket,
> tested for leaks before and after installing, all good, (closed one
> pipe. Blew hard. It held air. Air "popped" back out when released)
> Stuffer 'er back in, aligned manifold to body and gasket, applied RTV
> between manifold, gasket and aluminum plate. Checked flue image in
> manual, and compared marks left on spare set of flue parts to double
> check assembly. Opened the LP valve. Fridge fired up on the 3 or 4th
> click. Flame would go from normal to almost out several times, then
> stay larger (heating mode) once cycle of air in exhaust out
> stabilized. It stayed lit and fins got cooler pretty fast. But......
>
> It still won't stay lit while driving! And, I bet it still won't stay
> lit under windy conditions while in camp.
>
> Bah! I give up!
>
> Bah! I say. ;)
>
> <rant off>
>
> All I need to do now is decide on which compressor type fridge to buy.
> (then solar panels.... ;)
>
> Neil.
>
>
--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
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