Sounds a whole lot like propane burner problems - literally, that is.

When the burner is burning full bore the combustion noise makes a solid, even roar when you place your ear near the vent cap. (Be careful though about placing your ear directly on the vent cap; it can be hot!) At low flame the noise diminishes to a very soft rumble or may even be almost quiet. Even at low flame though, the flame safety device will sense the flame and not trigger a gas shutoff or start the electric lighter (w/ the blinking light).

My guess is that ash and crud have accumulated around the burner, interfering with its operation and reducing the flame height below what's necessary for effective cooling. You might try blowing compressed air through the water drain (small pipe with screw cap at bottom front of fridge). This can sometimes clear the debris from around the burner - at least temporarily - restoring cooling under propane power. Ultimately though you will probably have to pull the fridge and dissasemble the combustion chamber to thoroughly clean the burner and exhaust flue.

BTW, I have found that listening to the sound the burner makes at the vent to be one of the most effective ways of judging the operation of the propane mode. An even, fairly loud rumbly roar indicates the burner is at high flame (as it should be when the thermostat is set to full cooling or the fridge is warm) and working properly. Low noise levels - at least at high load conditions - indicate a problem with the burner (usually a dirty combustion chamber) or a fuel supply problem (typically fuel control related, e.g. a bad thermostat or flame safety device). Variable noise levels - cycling between load roaring and nearly silent conditions - suggests problems with air-fuel mixture (which can cause this 'hunting' behavior) or control problems. I generally find this 'hunting' behavior to be a precursor to more serious problems - like no flame/cooling (though altitude can also cause it even with an otherwise properly functioning propane system).

-Wes

> Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 08:21:22 -0700 > From: Chris & Aimee Uzzi <uzzi@AIMNET.COM> > Subject: dometic problems...

> hey volks - > > here's the situation... it seems i can operate the dometic fridge in our > '90 westy (merlo) in 2 of the 3 modes (i think... i'm testing now). ac/dc > seem to work, but propane does not. following is my procedure and > results: > > (1) turn gas main on. > (2) turn knob left to min. (off), turn knob right to on. > (3) 10-15 pumps on choke > (4) press "flame" button in (click, click, click... light flashes) > (5) press "start" button > > at this point, though it may take a couple of rounds of the above > procedure, the clicking stops the lcd indicator comes on and it looks > like we're good to go. however, when i stroll around to the flue vent i > hear no indication that the flue is lit (usually you can hear the flame > burn). any suggestions? need more info? let me know... > > please advise... heading for the high sierra's this weekend! > > thanks in advance, > > chris >

Wes Neuenschwander Seattle, WA wesn@eskimo.com