Visit our Popular Forums

Mr.Sovereign · 04-08-2008, 08:02 PM

I'm having a rather annoying problem. I'm a refer-on when traveling guy (I've read all the posts, let's not go there....). The refer works great on electric (while parked, of course). It works great on LP when parked. However, while underway, I experience flameouts. I took a short trip about 2 months ago, no problem. Travel speed was less than 60mph. This past week we took a 8 hour run to Disney with the kids. Travel speed was closer to 70mph. Every time I stopped, the refer had flamed out and the automatic sparker was trying to relight (of course, I wasn't there to push the button...)

I saw Zep's Dec-07 posting on a Dometic fridge: "Running on propane while towing is reasonably safe. If your burner blows out, construct an additional wind shield to enclose the burner area and bottom of the boiler stack. Two out of three of my fridges needed an additional shield, now they run very reliably. "

I sent him an email and he was very gracious in his response. However, I went and looked at my unit, anticipating installing a wind shield as he described. As fate would have it, it already has a factory shield installed!!

Thus my dilemma! Any other experience out there with controlling flame-outs? It's not a huge problem at this point. The refer stayed cold the entire trip (especially with a couple of stops along the way with a re-light). It's more annoying than anything, especially since I know it isn't working properly.

I'd appreciate any advice you might have to offer.

Warren

**jcanavera** · 04-08-2008, 08:41 PM

Warren, here is a thread from about 6 years ago. Your trailer is a little older than these were but this is how it was addressed back then.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f197...eling-311.html

Jack

Zeppelinium · 04-08-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Sovereign

I'm having a rather annoying problem. ... while underway, I experience flameouts. ...

Zep said: Two out of three of my fridges needed an additional shield, now they run very reliably. "

...As fate would have it, it already has a factory shield installed!!

The key here is the word "additional"! Build another baffle around the existing one--trust me. Nothing elaborate--no carefully sealed edges, just get some additional "walls" up and I think you'll be surprised that a pretty crummy extra baffle can work wonders.

Zep

TomW · 04-09-2008, 03:24 AM

Here's how my pilot light issue was resolved:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f425...out-18522.html

Tom

Mr.Sovereign · 04-09-2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

The key here is the word "additional"! Build another baffle around the existing one--trust me. Nothing elaborate--no carefully sealed edges, just get some additional "walls" up and I think you'll be surprised that a pretty crummy extra baffle can work wonders.

Zep

Thanks, Zep. You are a kind mentor!

I'll be patient and observe the details. Thanks again for your (and everyone else's) time and responses. I feel certain I can get this thing licked now. I plan to try both the baffle and the air filter. The baffle for the flame and the filter to help with the cleanliness inside that compartment.

Editorial note: I'm a fairly new owner (6 months now) and an even newer participant to this forum. I'll have to say this is the by far the most useful group I've ever been involved in. The posts, pictures, history, and helpful participants have made getting my "new" TT in great shape.

Thanks again.
WWW

Zeppelinium · 04-09-2008, 07:32 AM

I sympathize with your desire to keep the fridge plenum clean, but the air flow vertically in there is essential to fridge operation. The flow is "powered" by the thermal gradient, which is reliable but not powerful. I would bet that any kind of filter will significantly deminish or kill the chimney action. You might get away with it in cool weather, but not in hot.

Zep

Bambi_Bandit · 04-09-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

I sympathize with your desire to keep the fridge plenum clean, but the air flow vertically in there is essential to fridge operation. The flow is "powered" by the thermal gradient, which is reliable but not powerful. I would bet that any kind of filter will significantly deminish or kill the chimney action. You might get away with it in cool weather, but not in hot.

Zep

I too use a cheap fiberglass air filter (12x24x1) laying lengthwise behind the access door on both my previous 28 Safari LS and my current 27FB. I never had any issues with this set up in both hot and hold weather (both moving or not moving), as I monitor with a digital thermometer in the fridge.

However, to improve on the thermals, especially in hot weather standing still in full sun on the fridge side, I did have 2 silenX (12V computer case cooling)fans installed at the top of the fridge vent (mounted to the screen up top under the vent) that suck air out the top of the vent to improve the air circulation. I have it on a switch and can turn it on or off as I want or need.

**jcanavera** · 04-09-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

I sympathize with your desire to keep the fridge plenum clean, but the air flow vertically in there is essential to fridge operation. The flow is "powered" by the thermal gradient, which is reliable but not powerful. I would bet that any kind of filter will significantly deminish or kill the chimney action. You might get away with it in cool weather, but not in hot.

Zep

Since I suffered from this problem at one time, the filter method was also suggested by Airstream as a last resort option. I was told that the filter was only to be in place during travel and would need to be pulled out once you have parked. I've not known anyone who did the filter method who left it in place all the time.

Jack

Bambi_Bandit · 04-09-2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcanavera

Since I suffered from this problem at one time, the filter method was also suggested by Airstream as a last resort option. I was told that the filter was only to be in place during travel and would need to be pulled out once you have parked. I've not known anyone who did the filter method who left it in place all the time.

Jack

I guess you do now

TomW · 04-09-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bambi_Bandit

I guess you do now

No problems here either - A furnace filter has covered the floor grate since 2005.

I use beer as a gauge, so you can see I expect high performance from my 41 year old Dometic.

Tom

Westfalia · 04-09-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bambi_Bandit

I too use a cheap fiberglass air filter (12x24x1) laying lengthwise behind the access door on both my previous 28 Safari LS and my current 27FB.

Thanks for confirming this on the 27'FB model. What a well timed thread. I never had a problem with flame out on my '04 19' Bambi, but my trip home with my new 27'FB left me with a warm fridge, and worse yet, MELTED ICE CREAM! Oh the horror!

I built a baffle using some cardboard and duct tape in an emergency roadside stop in the middle of Kansas, but it didn't work. I'll try the filter mod, and will consider the fans up top.

JHollenbeck · 04-22-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westfalia

Thanks for confirming this on the 27'FB model. What a well timed thread. I never had a problem with flame out on my '04 19' Bambi, but my trip home with my new 27'FB left me with a warm fridge, and worse yet, MELTED ICE CREAM! Oh the horror!

I built a baffle using some cardboard and duct tape in an emergency roadside stop in the middle of Kansas, but it didn't work. I'll try the filter mod, and will consider the fans up top.

Im having the same problem with my new 25'FB Int Ocean Breeze- very annoying