dometic frig fire, help

[sugermc]

Hi, we've been working hard this week, getting ready for the "Tacky Tour" of Minnisota, spent a ton of time with the 3-way frig
When we first got the Scamp home, just plugged the frig into 110 and let it sit for a few days, found out it work - cool I said
Went straight to work to build a custom cabinet for the frig - great, going good.
Finished cabinet, then started to work on the LP lines, decided to split source at tank and have a 14' rubber line with a quick disconect for cooking outside.
The other line was going to the frig. decided that before I put frig in hook this baby up and see how she goes with LP --- NO WORKIE
It takes gas and the pilot shows gas BUT!!! when you release the button, no gas UUUGGGHHH.
Adrian snoops around and see's, what we call a thermal-couple line that has a crack, call Dometic, they send part - Cool I said , beer will be chilled on the tour
Install part - NO WORKIE

Then, superstar Adrian, decides at the button, this valve must be broke, call Dometic, can not confirm arrival of part before we leave

Then Adrian says, what do I have to lose, he takes the thing he was going to replace, takes it apart, see all kinds of gunk, cleans it, put it back on and LO-AN-BEHOLD WORKIE !!!!

Well Cool I said, lets do a test drive on this baby, read the book, see that if the ambiant temp is above 80 degrees, leave on HIGH, (and its 98 here in TN) OKAY high is, let the test begin.

I hour temp inside frig, was 98 drops to 68
Decided that maybe a box fan place away from the front but blowing toward it would reduce outside temp a little, seemed that vent was a little hot, might make the test go better
Go up to barn, check water on the critters and such, 25 min max

Come back The FRIDGE IS ON FIRE!!!! and hooked up the the LP TANK!! YIKES
Turned off the LP, dumped water on it, NOW no type of fridge for the trip
What could of cause the Fire??? MASTER, Harry Young, any ideas?

And now I need to be told how to travel for 15 days with no fridge and work out of coolers, I know picking up ice can be done dailey, but maybe you camping pros have some tips Thanks Suger

[Matt in SV]

Sounds like the hot vent might mean some obstructed circulation. also, you might have had a leak through a loose fitting or cracked hose. Did you try spritzing all the unions with soapy water before lighting it?

Regards,

Matt

[Brian Van Snell]

supermc:

Our Dometic fridge was not cooling adequately this summer when we hit some hot weather so we bought a 36 qt Coleman cooler which claimed to keep ice for 5 days. We bought one, and it worked. A similar cooler might provide a short term solution for you until you can get your fridge going.

Brian

[sugermc]

Thanks Matt, the vent is clear but would you mean the piping with the amonia going thru? Would not know how to check that, did check the union fittings though, didnt look to have leaks
I was looking at those extreme coolers, glad to hear from some one that it works. Thanks for your help suger