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brickster Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 512 Location: CO, USA
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 1:28 pm Post subject: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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In my new to me 84 with Dometic 182B, I could not light the refrigerator. I've pulled it out, and cleaned the combustion chamber, vents, and drain tube. I can see a decent, blue spark from the igniter.
I have a grill style bulk propane tank hose with a 10 PSI regulator. In doing some research, that seems to be way too much pressure for testing the refrigerator on my workbench. The Dometic repair guide says 11" WC, which is about 0.4 PSI.
Would that explain why I still can't light it? The gas does seem to really flow fast, which would definitely lead to too much gas and not enough oxygen for ignition. |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10367 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 1:33 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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Just as a double check, is your BBQ reg like this?
https://www.amazon.ca/Hot-Max-24214-Pressure-Regulator/dp/B00D86IELK
I used my Webber dual burner BBQ tank and reg to bench test my Dometic.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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brickster Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 512 Location: CO, USA
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 2:47 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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It looks similar, but 10 PSI.
I got one with a 11” WC regulator, but still can’t light it. Getting frustrated! Open to any ideas. On my old 85, I cleaned the spider webs and that fixed it.
How should the spark look? I have a thin, blue spark, but I’m not sure if it’s strong enough. |
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DanHoug Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016 Posts: 4770 Location: Bemidji, MN
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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a simple propane tank and gas grill regulator is around 11" WC. i use that to bench test.
pushing the button with the finger symbol pointing at the button bypasses the safety interlock and you SHOULD be getting a propane smell in the gas chamber. you can keep it disassembled to watch the flame and even light it with a lighter. _________________ -dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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brickster Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 512 Location: CO, USA
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 3:58 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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DanHoug wrote: |
a simple propane tank and gas grill regulator is around 11" WC. i use that to bench test.
pushing the button with the finger symbol pointing at the button bypasses the safety interlock and you SHOULD be getting a propane smell in the gas chamber. you can keep it disassembled to watch the flame and even light it with a lighter. |
Helpful, thank you!
I found that my igniter wire was frayed. Continuity is sporadic. So close to the igniter that I can’t think of a way to repair…
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DanHoug Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016 Posts: 4770 Location: Bemidji, MN
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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they're all frayed... and with the tall porcelin insulator, is not a problem. make sure you can see the spark when the burner pan is disassembled from the combustion chamber. you can run the flame in the open with the gas line connected and the sparker to light it. but just try lighting it with a lighter with the burner pan pulled off and everything hooked up. _________________ -dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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brickster Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 512 Location: CO, USA
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 4:15 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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I stripped back the insulation and was able to stabilize the continuity while installed.
Lit on first try!
I see that this part is still available, so I think I'll order one to avoid pulling the fridge again. |
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colins84 Samba Member
Joined: January 20, 2012 Posts: 79 Location: Newport Beach, CA
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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Be aware… I just ordered one from BusDepot.com, the are not in stock and won’t be until next year. _________________ 1985 Vanagon Westfalia (Subaru EJ25 w/ Peloquin)
1986 Vanagon GL (2.2L) |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10367 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2021 8:53 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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By now you'd think someone would've found a way to adapt a BBQ or other piezo to the Dometic burner box.
Just an example, looks way too long but:
https://bermuda.desertcart.com/products/17828466-5...e-assembly
_________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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brickster Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 512 Location: CO, USA
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Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2021 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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Should the fridge work plugged in on my workbench? I assumed that the 2 connectors I pulled apart to remove the fridge are only used for 12V. |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10367 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 11:59 am Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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brickster wrote: |
Should the fridge work plugged in on my workbench? |
Yes.
The cooling fan won't work with just AC power connected but for bench testing purposes, a non issue.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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brickster Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 512 Location: CO, USA
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 12:33 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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Vanagon Nut wrote: |
brickster wrote: |
Should the fridge work plugged in on my workbench? |
Yes.
The cooling fan won't work with just AC power connected but for bench testing purposes, a non issue.
Neil. |
I'm glad you mentioned that, because that's exactly what I'd like to test! I replaced the stock fan.
What would be the best way to test the cooling fan on a workbench? I just want to make sure it's good before I put the refrigerator back in. |
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ragnarhairybreeks Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2009 Posts: 1890 Location: Sidney B.C. Canada
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 12:40 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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There is a thermo switch on the upper fins, to the ledt if you are facing door. Near the flue. Two wires going in and out of it.
If you’ve hooked up 12 volts to your fridge connector, then if you connect those two wires at the thermo switch together ( jump them ) the fan should go on.
I think the switch closes at around 110-120 F But dont quote me. You could heat the switch up with heat gun carefully and check it’s function…. Ie fan should go on
Alistair _________________ '86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com |
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brickster Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 512 Location: CO, USA
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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ragnarhairybreeks wrote: |
There is a thermo switch on the upper fins, to the ledt if you are facing door. Near the flue. Two wires going in and out of it.
If you’ve hooked up 12 volts to your fridge connector, then if you connect those two wires at the thermo switch together ( jump them ) the fan should go on.
I think the switch closes at around 110-120 F But dont quote me. You could heat the switch up with heat gun carefully and check it’s function…. Ie fan should go on
Alistair |
Thank you. I don't have it hooked up to 12V because it's on my workbench. It sounds like I'd need to hook it up to test the fan then?
There are two 12V connectors, one is a single spade connector with black wire, and the other is a harness with 3 wires (black, blue & brown). I'll see if I can connect those and plug it in while the fridge is still out.
Edit: I was able to hook up the 12V cables and run it on 120V without reinstalling. I'm all set, thanks again! |
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ragnarhairybreeks Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2009 Posts: 1890 Location: Sidney B.C. Canada
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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Hey, you manage to get 12 v connected?
It’s funny coincidence, but I pulled fridge this afternoon ( I’m off sick from work, don’t rat me out)
I had fridge issue of not enough flame last year. Wanted to check jet. Anyway, my fridge is on bench and I’ll be doing flame test with bbq reg soon.
Alistair _________________ '86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com |
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brickster Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 512 Location: CO, USA
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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ragnarhairybreeks wrote: |
Hey, you manage to get 12 v connected?
It’s funny coincidence, but I pulled fridge this afternoon ( I’m off sick from work, don’t rat me out)
I had fridge issue of not enough flame last year. Wanted to check jet. Anyway, my fridge is on bench and I’ll be doing flame test with bbq reg soon.
Alistair |
Yes, I was able to after your helpful post (see my edit in the post above).
I'm glad that I did it, because my new fan's wiring was loose.
Not enough flame? Meaning it goes out, or too small?
I took the firebox completely off, removed the flame tube and jet, and cleaned everything except for the jet (looked fine). In my old 85, my flame went out due to spider webs in the intake tube.
My problem was a no light situation. It turned out that my igniter was flaky. I could see the spark, but it was very faint and sporadic. I cleaned and lightly sanded it, and tightened the crimp on the switch side of the wire. Now, it lights on the first try every time. |
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ragnarhairybreeks Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2009 Posts: 1890 Location: Sidney B.C. Canada
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 4:40 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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Hey great news!
It’s all about the little things with these fridges eh?
I’ll tell ya, for the last 3 decades ( damn, I once was young) with owning a westy with this type of fridge, I’ve fiddle about with it a lot. Trying to improve efficiency with fans, shrouds, re seating with new paste the evaporator, on and on. Believe me, I’ve done a lot. Some work, some don’t.
And I finally trimmed it all down and got the best delta T , about 22-23C below ambient. That seemed to agree with what others have found.
I bet it could improved with better insulation of the box. But that out obviously.
And then, last summer, the bastard wasn’t cooling as well as before. Lived with it for that season.
This year, despite the driest and warmest for ages, we haven’t had time to take off from work until about now.
So today I decided to investigate why fridge not working well.
I found more debris in chamber than expected. Including desiccated wasp ( yeah, blocking off intake and output flues with mud wasps a thing ).
The jet was dirty, a wee little caldera of dirt on it. I soaked and ultrasonic cleaned it in that CRL stuff ( calcium, lime, rust ) . Cleaned up nicely, all together, and it lit on test stand with bbq tank and reg .
Can’t tell if it’s back to “normal” but I’m guessing it is.
I’m please that you have got your fridge working. Despite its meagre cooling compared to electric , it still works for those of us not quite in the super heat zone.
Alistair _________________ '86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com |
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brickster Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 512 Location: CO, USA
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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Happy to hear you solved your issue too. Sounds like a great sick day. |
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DanHoug Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016 Posts: 4770 Location: Bemidji, MN
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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there's modern 12v alternatives to these absorption fridges but i kinda have a thing for them... using heat to make cold.
for 'potentially hazardous foods', a USDA classification from my years with Health, i use it as a temporary repository for the day's perishable food. doesn't work for wilderness but fine for car camping. _________________ -dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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ragnarhairybreeks Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2009 Posts: 1890 Location: Sidney B.C. Canada
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 7:57 pm Post subject: Re: Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure) |
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Hey brickster,
Finished my test. Fridge outside at 27C ambient, fridge on bench, no door. Hand towel on the evaporator, one hour later towel stuck to fins, ice on fins.
So I’m saying success with the jet cleaning. Back to the reg operation of fridge.
Oh and Dan, yes, it’s not a fridge for many of us. But it works for my use. And I do have a bit of micro background.
I’d have a modern electric fridge, will have I mean. But I know the capabilities of the propane and I live around it’s deficits for now.
Alistair _________________ '86 7 passenger syncro, converted to westy pop top, project still in progress
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94, now gone...
https://shufti.blog/
Old address still works...
http://shufti.wordpress.com |
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