Thanks, George. I will certainly try your suggestions.  I've been dragging
my heels about pulling the Dometic.  Maybe this air pump trick will pay
off.
Much appreciated, Marty

At 7:48 PM -0400 7/19/97, Geo. & Ellen Averill wrote:
>Don't pull the frig until you are absolutely sure it's broken!  I pulled
>mine twice only to find out that I didn't know how to light it!  I found
>that the problem was that fire requires both spark, fuel, and oxygen (air).
>I finally learned that I could first blow air through the drain hole with
>a small plastic pump. Then quickly click for the spark by pushing in the
>air pump just as soon as I pressed and held in the light button.  What was
>happening with me is that too much gas was getting in, the spark was
>causing a mild pop (explosion) and then there was no oxygen left for the
>next try. You have to add oxygen (air) after each attempt to light the frig
>or all you have in the burner is gas. The propane seems to linger in the
>chamber displacing the air. The combustion chamber is sealed from the
>inside of the bus.  No air can enter the combustin chamber from the inside
>of the bus.  The vent actually contains two pipes, one for the burned
>exhaust gas and another for air to enter from the outside.  Air does not
>enter from the bottom of the burner (it's sealed).  It must first go down
>the outside inlet tube.  When I first start to light I hold the light
>button in for several minutes to give the gas time to blow out all of the
>air in the pilot light line.  Then I pump in air through the drain plug
>(which, by the way, connects to the bottom of the sealed combustion
>chamber)and begin the lighting procedure (see above).  What more can I say?
>It works for me!
>
>Hope this helps!
>
>I may have the parts list and diagram you want.  Let me know if you don't
>find one.  I could copy and send it to you.  Don't have a digitizer or I
>would attach it.
>
>George (84)