Date:         Wed, 19 Jun 2002 10:55:16 -0700
Reply-To:     "Russell F. Maginnis" <rfmaginnis@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Russell F. Maginnis" <rfmaginnis@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      refrigerator - high altitude operation
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First question:
I have an 84 Westy with a Dometic 182 refrigerator.  It will not operate on
gas at above about 4,000 feet.  I usually camp above 8,000 ft.  I understand
there is a fitting that is intended to permit operation at high altitudes
but have heard that (1) it is not available and (2) once installed, the
refrigerator fails to operate on gas at any altitude!  Suggestions or
sources, anyone?
Second question:
I have an auxiliary or "house" battery, starting variety,  under the
driver's seat.  It operates the refrigerator even when the ignition is off.
Great for stop and go driving.  At altitude, I inadvertently left the
refrigerator on DC all night (more than 8 hours) at an exterior temperature
below freezing.  It operated the refrigerator all night (freezing a quart of
milk).  Yet, on this list I read that the refrigerator operates continuously
irrespective of the temperature it obtains.  If so, within a few hours it
should have drained that battery, at 7 amps per hour,  but it did not.
Explanation, anyone?