Also....
Altitude will have an effect....
at higher altitudes the propane will come out of the tank faster since there
is less atmospheric pressure for it to work against... This will create a
greater tendency for the fridge to pop and not stay lit...  I know, some
will say that the regulator is supposed to compensate for this, but I'm
pretty sure it does not. It has been my experience that at high altitudes
(say, above 5,000 ft) the fridge lights easier if you turn the pressure down
at the regulator by about 1 w.c.i.
In fact, the Dometic service center I used to work on my fridge a few years
ago said that Dometic had put out a service bulletin to this effect.

Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Alcock" <dgalcock@hewitt.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2000 8:19 AM
Subject: Re: FW: lighting fridge on propane

>
>
> Hmmmmm.......my fridge lights reliably with the thermostat up all the way
and
> the 'pop'
> I get when I hit the igniter is a blessed and joyful sound that tells me
my
> fridge just lit. I'm keeping
> my fridge lighting ritual as is and not messing with my mojo now that I've
> finally got it working.
> Bet I'm not the only one thinking this way.............though I'll save
the info
> for a rainy day.
>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----

Recently had the same instances of 'mini-explosions'.  I took it to a camper
dealer who called Dometic.  They now suggest turning off the thermostat
entirely before lighting the fridge and waiting at least 15 minutes before
turning the thermostat to cool.  This procedure works great on my 89 Westy.
The pre-cooling on electric was also suggested.

M Williams

In a message dated 7/13/00 8:13:32, TCarrington@ReliTech.com writes:

<< -----Original Message-----

From: brent@vanagon.com [mailto:brent@vanagon.com]

Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 1:57 AM

To: Fred Brittain; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

Subject: RE: lighting fridge on propane

Though I am not an expert, I don't think the knob controls the volume of gas

delivered - it is more of a thermostat that controls a cut-off point for

temperature.  Given this, it should make no difference vis-�-vis the

"popping" syndrome.  I think this is more due to environmental conditions

and bad mojo.  Please don't underestimate the power of mojo in getting the

fridge lit.  (precious little has been written on the subject)

:-)

Brent Christensen

'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"

Santa Barbara, CA

-----Original Message-----

From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf

Of Fred Brittain

Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 1:37 PM

To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

Subject: lighting fridge on propane

Just read the vanagon.com article about lighting the fridge. Does

anyone remember when a listee contacted Dometic about this subject and

posted their reply to the list?

The Dometic rep said to turn the temp knob to a very low position when

lighting. I've done exactly that since I read the post and have had no

more trouble lighting up. When I turned the knob all the way to cold,

it wouldn't light but would ignite what sounded like mini-explosions

every few seconds. Same principle as trying to light a propane torch

turned up all the way. It simply does not react to a spark igniter or

blows out a match.

regards,

Fred (former semi-active listee)

89 Westy