Testing Dometic 182B Outside Van (LP Pressure)

[brickster]

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.

[Vanagon Nut]

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

[brickster]

[DanHoug]

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

[brickster]

[DanHoug]

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

[brickster]

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.

[colins84]

Be aware… I just ordered one from BusDepot.com, the are not in stock and won’t be until next year.
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1985 Vanagon Westfalia (Subaru EJ25 w/ Peloquin)
1986 Vanagon GL (2.2L)

[Vanagon Nut]

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

[brickster]

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.

[Vanagon Nut]

[brickster]

[ragnarhairybreeks]

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

[brickster]

[ragnarhairybreeks]

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

[brickster]

[ragnarhairybreeks]

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

[brickster]

Happy to hear you solved your issue too. Sounds like a great sick day.

[DanHoug]

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

[ragnarhairybreeks]

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