Date:         Tue, 18 Jun 2002 15:33:50 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: 87 Westy fridge wireing question
Comments: To: j <lemore@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20020618182101.14957.qmail@web20505.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 02:21 PM 6/18/2002, j wrote:
>Hi all,
>    I've searched a million places, scoured my Bently
>and any Dometic manuals I can find, but I'm still
>stumped.
>    As the norm, the fridge in my '87 Westy runs fine
>on AC, questionable on DC

Wiring is marginal for DC.  Fuse holder/fuse must be clean.  Connections
must be good.  Fridge only starts cooling after 20 minutes or so, and stops
much quicker than that.  No good for stop-and-go.  Fridge works less
efficiently when the van is moving no matter what the power source, as the
motion of the van disrupts the gravity flow of the liquids and gases in the
cooling unit.

>and won't light on gas.  So
>I pulled it to clean and inspect.  And came up with
>the following questions.
>  1.) Has anyone found a way to test the fridge on gas
>without putting it back in?  I'd like to know if this
>is possible b/c it is kind of a pain in the arse to
>get in and out.

Sure, just get a regulator (Marshall Brass 290) and attach it to a BBQ
tank.  Use a length of approved low-pressure gas hose (RV dealer) and get
fittings at the hardware store to mate the hose to the fitting on the rear
of the fridge.

>  2.) I've seen and read all the usual tips and tricks,
>but has anyone come across a truly great one? :)
>  3.) This is my real question: Attached to the gas
>control unit (the little button you press and hold
>while operating the piezo lighter on the pump knob) is
>a single black wire.  This little black wire runs off
>to under the sink where it just disappears into a
>larger loom of wires and off into who knows where.

It goes to the LED panel.  It's connected to the thermocouple that senses
the presence of flame, and is used to light up an indicator on the LED
panel.  It has no effect on fridge operation unless you ground it.

david

--
David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"