See my <www.frankcondelli.com/fridge.htm> webpage for answers to most of your questions.  Some I have addressed below.

On 2012-08-05, at 8:57 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:

> Hi,
> 
>  I have the Dometic 182 refrigerator out of my Westy and I'm trying to
> address the problem in that it won't stay lit. Spark is okay. Ignites.
> After minutes, the flame goes out.
> 
>  There was a bug in the burn box, but it was just a loose bug, not
> plugging any holes.
> 
>  The thermocouple wire insulation is frayed at the point where it makes a
> bend to the burn box. Looks like the wire is intact. Maybe I should
> replace it. How can I test it on a bench? Can I power the fridge on 110v
> and use water to test it or does that risk damaging the thermocouple
> sensor, especially since there is fraying.

        See my document.
> 
>  I'm also doing whatever I can to help it to work better. I've done the
> air pump modifications, drilling the hole out and adding the one-way
> valve. I've also replaced the back-side fin fan with the Go Westy box fan.
> 
>  The gasket (the one with the six screws through it) on the burn box had
> cracks. I've used Ultra Copper high-temp silicone to REPLACE the gasket.
> Now I just re-read a site that suggests the silicone be used ON the old
> gasket. My first QUESTION is, did I screw up? I thought that the silicone
> is a gasket MAKER, not a sealant. Do I need to put the old gasket in WITH
> the sealant on both sides of it?

        Yes, use the old gasket with the silicon, it's better that way.
> 
>  My other QUESTIONS are regarding the troubleshooting of this problem from
> the Dometic Service Manual (RM182B Edition 2, August 1982). The chart on
> p. 10 relates possible causes referring to parts that I don't have an ID
> for.
> 
>  The "safety valve" is connected to the button you hold in while lighting,
> right? It has a "valve magnet"? How can I troubleshoot this?

        See my document.
> 
>  Where is there "gauze in the burner head"? When I took the burn box
> apart, there's a tube with slots in one end, which is where I assume the
> flame is. Is there supposed to be gauze in that tube?

        No gauze.
> 
>  Where is the "By-pass flame"?

        No by pass flame.  There is only one flame in that burner box.
> 
>  Thanks for your help!

Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
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