Date:         Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:44:16 -0600
Reply-To:     Leonard Sitongia <sitongia@ONEBEAM.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Leonard Sitongia <sitongia@ONEBEAM.NET>
Subject:      Re: Refrigerator lighting
In-Reply-To:  <CAB2RwfgbgkiyaMOG-puGby4g=tw5O2iCX0dTpFi1hW-hLxp1Pw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

On Aug 31, 2011, at 4:14 PM, neil n wrote:

> Getting back to the OP's concern, I bet if he were to clean the intake
> and exhaust pipe the fridge might light easier and stay lit.

I'm the OP.  I removed the flue covers and vacuumed the intake and exhaust.  I think that did help.

First, I made a manometer.  That was fun.  I usually write software and process data.  Making something real is nice.  I checked the pressure, and had it pretty close to right by trial and error last night, but with the manometer I dialed it right in.  That didn't help a lot, though.

Then I did the vacuuming, and that helped.

It now lights pretty easily.  It stays lit for about five minutes, and goes out.  The flame in the window isn't bright, the LED on the panel never lights up, but I can hear a good burn going from the flue.  A regular rumble.  The fridge fins got a little cool.

It's pretty warm out right now, here in Boulder, CO, USA.  I didn't pre-cool it on 110v like I usually do because I wanted to see how well it did warm.

Also, I didn't put the flue cover back on completely, in case I wanted to do something else.  I now see another posting that the flue assembly is important to keep exhaust from being sucked back in.

So, I'll pre-cool it, put the flue back together and try in the morning.

Thank you all for your messages.  Great feedback!

Westys are neat.  I really like them.  I've had this 1987 2WD for about 12 years now.  I'm a perfectionist about it, and want everything to work right.  BTW, I had an LSD put in and now think of it has really having 2WD instead of ~1.5WD.

==Leonard E. Sitongia          
  One Inextricable Beam
  http://www.onebeam.net/