Date:         Sat, 22 Feb 2003 22:59:54 -0500
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@CYBERSPACE.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@CYBERSPACE.ORG>
Subject:      Re: My fridge wants to know if it's level enough...
Comments: To: Steve Delanty <laurasdog@WEIRDSTUFFWEMAKE.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <5.1.1.6.0.20030222185212.00a0c5a0@mail.gct21.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Sat, 22 Feb 2003, Steve Delanty wrote:

> Sooo...  what does "level" mean?  How many degrees off
> level is acceptable?

I've heard 5 degrees.  So not much.  This is when stationary.  When you're
moving it's not a problem because the sloshing effect keeps the liquids
in the fridge's cooling system from settling in the wrong places.

> What bad things happen if it's not level enough?

Flow through the system doesn't happen properly, causing damage to the
boiler.  Find an explanation of how one of these adsorbtion fridges works
and you'll understand the problem.  This can kill a fridge, either slowly
or immediately depending on how badly off level it is and how unlucky you
are.

> I'd like to be able to run the fridge overnight before the beginning
> of a trip, but my driveway has a pretty good slope to it and I don't
> know if i need to worry about it.

Get or build a set of leveling boards or ramps and level the van.  It
shouldn't take too long after the first time, since you'll know how what
height to use.  You can get sets at camping stores of various types.  My
grandpa always liked to make his own out of stacks of 2x6 or 2x12.  Use
chocks.

In my case, my van almost leans too much when parked on level ground.  I
need to either shim the springs on the left side, or put travel
restrictors on the right, one of these days. ;)  I'm thinking probably
shims -- I worry a little about clamping the springs down causing stresses
that might break them.
             _ _
  __ _ _   _| | |  | David M. Brodbeck (N8SRE)              Ypsilanti, MI
 / _` | | | | | |  +-----------------------------------------------------
| (_| | |_| | | | @ cyberspace.org
 \__, |\__,_|_|_| "...we're not getting the creeps who knocked the
 |___/             buildings down.  We're getting the creeps whose
                   address we know." -- Maureen Dowd