(Successfully) troubleshot a fridge!

[fasteddieb]

Wednesday afternoon, Karen and I headed out to "boondock" near Lenoir City, TN for just one night.

When I unplugged from shore power, I heard the refrigerator (Dometic) ignitor click a few more times than usual, but eventually heard the satisfying "whoomp!" as the burner lit.

But when we arrived a couple hours later for camping, the fridge was flashing 60/LP and clearly not working. We recycled it on and off repeatedly to no avail. Definitely had plenty of propane.

I looked at the manual and found the instructions for cleaning the flue as part of troubleshooting unclear, in that there are parts mentioned in the steps that are not identified in the diagram. But I did manage to bring up a YouTube video that made it look pretty straightforward.

In any event, last night after returning home I took a look. After pulling off the covers, it did not look promising:



[img style="max-width:100%;" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8506/28921123175_8a88e09fc4_z.jpg"]

That's looking at the intake end of the tube leading to the flue, which is supposed to be completely unobstructed. but now completely blocked off with dirt/mud/debris, likely due to this guy:



[img style="max-width:100%;" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8758/28921123835_a3c43830d2_z.jpg"]

Slathered on some "liquid electrical tape" and slit some shrink-wrap to protect the wire:


In conclusion, probably not a bad idea to inspect the burner tube, perhaps annually or even right before a long trip.

[kycamper]

What was the you tube video you watched??
Nice job
I think I may have a similar problem
I will now look into it with some idea of what to look for
thanks

[kycamper]

What was the you tube video you watched??
Nice job
I think I may have a similar problem
I will now look into it with some idea of what to look for
thanks

[kycamper]

What was the you tube video you watched??
Nice job
I think I may have a similar problem
I will now look into it with some idea of what to look for
thanks

[fasteddieb]

What was the you tube video you watched??
Nice job
I think I may have a similar problem
I will now look into it with some idea of what to look for
thanks

There are a bunch, but this one made it clearest: 


[video src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCqiVqZx5k4"][/video]

[daplumbr]

Anyone in wasp susceptible areas might want to consider installing these. 2 sets will protect the Dometic fridge and are a 60 second install. 

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-42149-Flying-Insect-Screen/dp/B0024E6UE0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1471021475&sr=8-3&keywords=camco+insect+screen

[fasteddieb]

Yesterday when I had the cover off I considered what it would take to custom make some screens.

At that price, probably just go with those - thanks!

As an aside, we have the headrests removed on the back seat of Karen's Jeep Wrangler. A couple days ago I noticed that all 4 holes where they would insert were filled with mud dauber dirt!