Date:         Wed, 14 Jun 2000 07:34:40 -0700
Reply-To:     "ThomasD. Hanlon" <hanran@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "ThomasD. Hanlon" <hanran@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Troubleshooting 'Frig Cooling Problem
Comments: To: Holm <vholm@WEREWOLF.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

V&M,

The fridge appears to be working to standards.  If it ain't broke, don't
fix it. "Once is not enough," with apologies to Jackie Susanne.

An unorthodox non-gauge way to determine if the propane is on is to
smell, feel, listen at, the vent on the outside. Be careful of burning
noses, ears and fingers, etc.

The fan comes on at 126 degree at some place in the appliance. I am not
sure where.  It comes on as needed, and in Green Wisconsin, temps may
never reach that level. My fan comes on when the van is PARKED in the
sun, not in operation, in the CA Desert. Temps will be 118F today, and
the fan will come on in my Westy. I remove the fuses to prevent drain on
battery when I am away for long.

Tom Hanlon
Palm Springs, CA
84 Westfalia

> Holm wrote:
>
> Here's the situation:
> Dometic 'Frig in 84 Westy works on electric. Within 2 hours of
> connecting to electric the temp was down to 35 degrees (temp outside
> was in the 60s); I was unable to determine whether the fan kicked on.
> Fired up the propane (I always need to try two different times to get
> it going - maybe a magic wand would help!) - after 2, 4, 6 hours the
> temperature remained the same: 65 degrees. Apparently the propane is
> on because 1) the LED panel green light is lite and 2) the observation
> tube in 'frig shows a blue flame.
>
> We are prepared to remove the unit (did this two years ago and found
> some some crud, but not a lot), but would really appreciate any clues
> as to what we should be looking for - or replacing. The 'frig has
> worked like a charm in the past - cooling even warm cans of beer on
> hot days (although obviously not very quickly).
>
> Has anyone had a similiar situation? What did you replace/reconfigure?
> I have printed out the service manual and have stored numerous emails
> about fans, etc.
>
> Thanks in advance!!
> V & M Holm
> Menomonie, WI
> 84 Westy
>
>
> "Writing is easy; all you do is sit staring at a blank sheet
> of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead."
>
> -Gene Fowler
>
>