Date:         Sat, 7 Sep 2013 07:39:15 -0700
Reply-To:     Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Update on Dometic RC2000 spurious flame SOLVED
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Despite the fact that the obstruction in the burner tube looked to be
manufactured, being a pure white plug of some tough spongy material
about 1/2'' in from the propane entry end with a smooth flat face and a
small hole in the center, it seriously obstructed air. Since everything
I've found online about maintaining the small Dometic refrigerators says
to clean out the tube, I did.

Soaked it in lacquer thinner then used a combination of Q-Tips and
blowing into the slots on the flame end. A wad of some kind of stuff
shot out, landing somewhere under my kayak over there where the other
escaped nuts and bolts usually land.

Anyway, after re-assembly, the thing works. It lights easily, the flame
is larger and looks like those I've seen online, and the little analog
meter that shows the voltage coming out of the thermocouple now goes
fully into the green "I'm hot you can let go of the safety valve now"
range, whereas it barely reached the green range before I cleaned the tube.

I'm guessing that the plug was the result of some contaminant in the
propane condensing or depositing on the inner wall of the burner tube,
and building up to the point where it choked off the gas/air mixture.
Far too tough to be some spider web.

Anyway, going on a two-week camping trip starting Monday and this little
refrigerator will be a nice addition.
--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
Bend, Ore.