Date:         Wed, 12 Jun 2002 18:53:39 -0400
Reply-To:     Karl M <thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Karl M <thewestyman@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Dometic fridge temps, and single-stage regulators
Comments: To: Syncrolist <syncrolist@yahoogroups.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I've been trying to get one of three fridges to cool sufficiently the past
three days, finally the third is cooling well, or so I think! So, I am
curious what temps one can expect from the Dometic on a 90-degree day. (I've
never tested one with thermometer until now) I've added the little computer
fan clipped into the fins inside the fridge for air circulation, as well as
a switch to run the external fan constant when needed. Right now, after 3
or so hours, I have 46 degrees F. with a thermometer laying on the ice-cube
shelf (fridge is empty). Seems fairly good to me, what do you think?

The second part: one fridge I had in the van cooled to 50 on an 80-degree
day, so I pulled it and flipped it overnight, cleaned the burner, checked
pressure, etc, and it now cools LESS. ????? Should I consider this one a
dud? Another funny thing I discovered, one of the vans here had a
single-stage regulator installed, strangely enough, this was the one the
best-cooling fridge came from. I now am using that regulator temporarily on
my van while I get a replacement for the flaky one I pulled off. My old reg
wouldn't hold a constant pressure, if I adjusted it it would go out of whack
the next day. This reg is only a few months old. Oh--the question--what is
the purpose of a two-stage reg, is it truly needed, or will a single work as
well, in a pinch? Thanks!

Karl Mullendore
Westy Ventures
1987 Westfalia Syncro 1.9TD