Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 08:24:12 -0500
Reply-To: "Joe L." <jliasse@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Joe L." <jliasse@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: 88 Westie: Problematic Fridge
I am no expert but my fridge was giving me similar headaches. I decided
that it was time to take it apart and give it a good cleaning. If your gas
is flowing, air is present and your igniter is working then your fridge MUST
light if only for a brief period, it has no choice (weather or not it cools
after it is lit is another matter) so one of these three things is broke.
When I took mine apart I found that the fire box had become a nest for
bugs! There were several old dried up carcases in there! I also cleaned out
the orifice with a good solvent and gently "reamed" it out with several
threads of wire taken from from a piece of ordinary stranded wire.
Instructions caution you against putting anything in the orifice but as it
had been some 10 years since the fridge had last been lit (according to the
PO) I figured I had nothing to lose.
If your igniter is working you should be able to see a faint spark
through the viewing window, Something you can check out before you take it
apart by looking CLOSELY through the window while pushing the button. Mine
was a little crusty so I also cleaned the igniter with an electronic solvent
you can pick up at your FLAP ("QD Electronic Cleaner" ++ELECTRONIC++ NOT the
"Electrical" they are different solvents). If your igniter is not sparking
you may be able to get it going by adjusting the electrodes a little. These
work sort of like a spark plug and must be "gapped" like a spark plug.
Gas flow I checked out by having my wife blow into the intake pipe
while I twiddled the various valves and buttons (she puts up with a lot from
me; bless her). Hearing a hiss from the orifice I figured I had no problem
in this department.
Putting all back togeather I prepared to test it out. I also had the
chicken bones but to ensure success I wanted to add "Eye of Newt". I could
not find any so I substituted a recording I had made of a Gingrich speech I
got off of C-Span. This did the trick. It lit right up and has given me no
trouble since.
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Paquette <cp@IX.NETCOM.COM>
To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 1998 8:23 PM
Subject: 88 Westie: Problematic Fridge
>Before anyone gets annoyed, yes, I did go through the archives and found a
>couple of suggestions on how to get the fridge lit - I could use some more
>tips, though.
>
>What I've tried:
>
>- Followed the instructions printed on the fridge
>- Lit the burners on the stove to get the propane flowing (stove lit,
fridge
>didn't)
>- Made sure the condensation drain thing under the fridge was drained
>- Blew into same to clear "dead air" per archive article
>- Read through the Dometic manual that was forwarded in .PDF format by a
>listee for other tips
>- Rubbed two chicken bones together, voodoo style, while chanting and
>thinking good thoughts
>
>Results: nada.
>
>Questions:
>
>According to the manual, there is a light on the battery/water level
>indicator panel that lights up when the propane burner in the fridge is
>working and lit. Am I right in saying that the light in question is the
>green light below the red water level light? If so, mine stays on all the
>time, even thought the entire propane system is turned off at the tank.
>Does this light serve any other function?
>
>There is a peephole in the lower left corner of the fridge interior. Is
the
>fridge pilot light plainly visible through this hole when lit? Should I be
>able to see the flame through this hole in the daytime?
>
>I'd be happy if I could get the fridge running on propane. Any tips,
>pointers, or other help would be appreciated.
>
>Chris Paquette
>'88 Westie, Rozinante
>Los Angeles
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