My theory is the refrigerator is like a little flu system (like a wood
     burning stove flu).  When the flu is cold it will not draw right,
     which means it will not suck in enough fresh air to keep the gas lit.
     Operating on AC first warms up the flu, which will allow the gas to
     stay lit.  In some cases you can keep the gas lit when cold by
     continuously pumping air in, which is a lot of work.  If you can keep
     it lit a few minutes by pumping air you will probably find the flu
     getting hot enough to stay lit on its own.

     Now the real question is, why do some refrigerators get so cranky as
     to require these cumbersome lighting procedures,  When you find this
     out, let me know.

     One of my campers has no indicator (other than the viewing window)
     showing that it is lit.  Has anyone added an inexpensive indicator to
     their refrigerator?

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Dometic Fridge Lighting Problems
Author:  morris@CMR.SPH.UNC.EDU at EXTERNAL
Date:    4/2/98 8:39 AM

Here's my situation:

I open the valve, hold in the override button, pump air through the
combustion chamber, and spark: nothing.

*But*, if the fridge is running on AC and I immediately follow with the
above procedure, the burner gets lit....

Could my override button be non-functioning such that gas only flows when
everything's hot ? Other suggestions ? I'm baffled...

Morris
'83.5 Camper