I'm not sure this is the right place to post this, Ally, maybe you could move it if it's not?
I learned a salutary lesson on Friday evening that I think is worth sharing. We have a second-hand Ducato based camper van that I'm finding my way around and checking that everything works before we take our first proper trip. I found that the Dometic fridge wasn't working on gas (the pilot would light, then go out). I removed both the vents on the side of the van and checked the jet assembly which seemed OK then put an industrial vacuum on the open end of the flue to remove any debris. I replaced the vents and tried again. Hey Presto! The pilot lit and stayed lit and the burner seemed to be working away. I left it on to see if the fridge cooled and went to the back of the van to check the Truma water heater. I then noticed wisps of smoke wafting into the van and smoke drifting past the window outside. Looking out I saw that the top plastic vent was on fire, smoke was blackening the side of the van and the paintwork was starting to blister. I didn't panic until I found that the fire extinguisher in the van should have been higher on my list of things to check - it was U/S! Fortunately, the extinguisher in the workshop (a short dash away) was working and I put out the fire before too much damage was done. Photos attached.
I will now of course take the van to the professionals to have the gas appliances checked. If I'd done this in the first place I could have avoided the additional costs I will now incur for repairing the damage to the paintwork and vents etc (not to mention the damage to my pride and a near heart attack). And it could have been much worse. If I'd gone indoors to answer the phone or something the fire might really have taken hold with the loss of the van and god knows what else.
I will ring round possible repairers next week. It looks like Derek Walsh Camper Centre is the closest to us (we're in west Cork near Bantry) and well qualified to do the remedial work on the appliances and the repairs to the van. If anyone knows of a suitable outfit closer to us I would be grateful for a steer in their direction. Likewise any comments or advice on the likely cause of the fire (presumably I disturbed something) would be appreciated as would whether an insurance claim might or might not be sensible/successful.
I learned a salutary lesson on Friday evening that I think is worth sharing. We have a second-hand Ducato based camper van that I'm finding my way around and checking that everything works before we take our first proper trip. I found that the Dometic fridge wasn't working on gas (the pilot would light, then go out). I removed both the vents on the side of the van and checked the jet assembly which seemed OK then put an industrial vacuum on the open end of the flue to remove any debris. I replaced the vents and tried again. Hey Presto! The pilot lit and stayed lit and the burner seemed to be working away. I left it on to see if the fridge cooled and went to the back of the van to check the Truma water heater. I then noticed wisps of smoke wafting into the van and smoke drifting past the window outside. Looking out I saw that the top plastic vent was on fire, smoke was blackening the side of the van and the paintwork was starting to blister. I didn't panic until I found that the fire extinguisher in the van should have been higher on my list of things to check - it was U/S! Fortunately, the extinguisher in the workshop (a short dash away) was working and I put out the fire before too much damage was done. Photos attached.
I will now of course take the van to the professionals to have the gas appliances checked. If I'd done this in the first place I could have avoided the additional costs I will now incur for repairing the damage to the paintwork and vents etc (not to mention the damage to my pride and a near heart attack). And it could have been much worse. If I'd gone indoors to answer the phone or something the fire might really have taken hold with the loss of the van and god knows what else.
I will ring round possible repairers next week. It looks like Derek Walsh Camper Centre is the closest to us (we're in west Cork near Bantry) and well qualified to do the remedial work on the appliances and the repairs to the van. If anyone knows of a suitable outfit closer to us I would be grateful for a steer in their direction. Likewise any comments or advice on the likely cause of the fire (presumably I disturbed something) would be appreciated as would whether an insurance claim might or might not be sensible/successful.
You must be logged in or your permissions are to low to see this Attachment(s).
