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twiggy137 · 05-20-2008, 05:31 PM

hi,first time firering up fridge.lit pilot light from outside,pilot lights right up.doesn't seem to be much more flame than pilot,maybe a little.I let it run for a hour and nothing,pilot + still burning but no change in fridge,any help. thanks Don

Jim Foster · 05-20-2008, 05:56 PM

Refers do not have a pilot and a burner like a water heater. They have one flame. You lighted that flame. If your unit is level, the refer should be cold by morning.

AirsDream · 05-20-2008, 07:12 PM

Yup, assuming that it's working, it'll take some hours to get cold. That's why most folks try to plug in their trailer for a day or so ahead of any trip, to let the refer. chill down.

After a couple of hours, try putting your hand on the metal plate in the freezer.

lewster · 05-20-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twiggy137

hi,first time firering up fridge.lit pilot light from outside,pilot lights right up.doesn't seem to be much more flame than pilot,maybe a little.I let it run for a hour and nothing,pilot + still burning but no change in fridge,any help. thanks Don

twig,

The flame coming from the LP burner on your Dometic should be a nice, bright blue with a strong presence( but definitely not as a water heater or furnace flame). If it looks like a pilot flame( which you don't have), then you probably need to clean the LP burner, gas orifice and associated parts and pieces.

If you are uncomfortable doing this type of service, then you should have a qualified Dometic repair facility handle it for you. It's usually not a bad idea to have the entire unit checked out (performance test) while there and also have the flue tube and spiral baffle cleaned at the same time.

Jim Foster · 05-20-2008, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

twig,

If it looks like a pilot flame( which you don't have), then you probably need to clean the LP burner, gas orifice and associated parts and pieces.

If you are uncomfortable doing this type of service, then you should have a qualified Dometic repair facility handle it for you. It's usually not a bad idea to have the entire unit checked out (performance test) while there and also have the flue tube and spiral baffle cleaned at the same time.

I had to clean the burner orifice on the houseboat we had for 27 years every spring after it had been sitting through the winter.

Also......spiders love neglected propane burners, both hot water and refer........not that that ever happened in 27 years, mind you

BigAl · 05-20-2008, 08:09 PM

If I remember correctly the burner orifice is actually a ruby with a hole in it.
Do not try to clean it with a pin but just soak in alcohol. It is fragile .
Al

lewster · 05-20-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl

If I remember correctly the burner orifice is actually a ruby with a hole in it.
Do not try to clean it with a pin but just soak in alcohol. It is fragile .
Al

GOOD POINT!!!!!!!!

twiggy137 · 05-21-2008, 08:29 PM

fridge seems to be running great.ran it on propane, then electric. holds temp.

centennialman · 05-22-2008, 06:51 AM

Twiggy.....I am glad to hear you got it running !!

It's best to have your fridge running for a day or so before you leave. Get it nice and cold. Any food that can be frozen ahead of time should be put in the fridge the night before you leave. I also put in the blue block things that are frozen ahead of time.

There are many schools of thought about driving down the road with the fridge running, however, I like to play it safe and don't do that. With that said, the previously running fridge (before you leave) and frozen items have kept things cold until I reach my destination....even in hot temperatures.

Happy Camping!!

crowldawg · 05-22-2008, 05:36 PM

I have a nice blue flame at the burner ,but quite a bit of sooty smoke at the top of the stack I have the top and sides off because I just reinstalled it. I assume it not getting enough air even though there is plenty around it .Is there an adjustment ?i,e turn the barrel until I get a smoke less burn.
BTW it's a 1966 Dometic "flintstone model " .It actually lights with a zippo flint .I want to keep this because there are no electronics to break.I also got the electric component to work .Believe it or not the wire on the end of the element had come loose .I wonder how many P/O's did without the electric

lewster · 05-22-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowldawg

I have a nice blue flame at the burner ,but quite a bit of sooty smoke at the top of the stack I have the top and sides off because I just reinstalled it. I assume it not getting enough air even though there is plenty around it .Is there an adjustment ?i,e turn the barrel until I get a smoke less burn.
BTW it's a 1966 Dometic "flintstone model " .It actually lights with a zippo flint .I want to keep this because there are no electronics to break.I also got the electric component to work .Believe it or not the wire on the end of the element had come loose .I wonder how many P/O's did without the electric

cd,

You probably have a carbon infested burner tube and spiral baffle. You should pull the unit, remove the wire from the top of the flue tube that holds the spiral baffle, cover or remove your burner at the bottom and thoroughly clean the tube with a stiff, round brush. then clean the corrosion and soot from the spiral baffle, re-install and you should be good to go.

It would be very unusual if you have a strong blue flame and are getting smoke from it. After performing the above procedure, your unit should get colder than it has been, as it will enhance the heat transfer to the refrigerant.