Date:         Wed, 19 Jul 2000 15:38:46 -0400
Reply-To:     wb6otg <wb6otg@intrex.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         wb6otg <wb6otg@intrex.net>
Subject:      Re: Fridge problems at altitude
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

>Actually, I have it from a very good Dometic Service center that Dometic
>Service Bulletin recommends turning the pressure regulator down to as low as
>5 w.c. inches for altitudes over 8,000 feet.

>I could not keep mine light until I turned it down to 10 w.c. inches... I
>live at 6300 feet.

>It may be that there are different size jets for different years of
>production of the Dometic Fridge.... or there may be variation in the oxygen
>tubing.... Other than this, the only reason I can think of as to why your
>fridge works so well over 9,000 feet is perhaps your propane pressure is
>turned down an you don't know it? .... have you checked yours lately???

My '84 Westy owner's manual (not the vanagon manual, but the Westy supplement) says that Dometic has a high altitude modification available, call the Dometic dealer for details.  I don't know anything about it, but its likely that some have been modified and others not.  I don't have any personal experience with this, since the PO replaced the fridge with an electric unit. (never had to light it, and my propane tank is still half full after three years, and over three months of actual camping)

Bill

Bill