Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2003 13:05:28 -0800
Reply-To: "S.E. Booth" <lonesomedog@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "S.E. Booth" <lonesomedog@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Dometic Fridge Model RM 182B questions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I have the Dometic 182B installed in my recently acquired '90 synchro
westy and need some help determining if it is working properly on
propane. It doesn't seem like it stays cool nearly as well as the
Dometics in my previous '83 diesel westy and '90 westy.
I have no problems getting it to light and it cools down to about 38 to
40°F. The problem is after several days of continuous operation on
propane, the refrigerator warms up to around 60°F inside and will not
cool down again. I have a nice blue flame, not a yellow one. There is no
ice build-up, so there is nothing to defrost. I have tried setting the
temperature control valve at the half-way point like the instruction
booklet suggests. I have also tried it on the max setting, same thing
happens. The cooling fan goes on and off when the outside air temp is
hot, so that appears to be working properly. The only thing that I have
found that works is to shut off the unit for a couple of days and then
when I run it again it works for a couple of days, then the same thing
happens. I made sure all the vents were free from obstructions as well
as keeping the stuff in the side cabinet, away from the copper lines, so
there is plenty of room for airflow. I took a two month trip this
summer driving from San Diego to Deadhorse, Alaska and back again and it
was a real bummer that I couldn't use my fridge the whole time. I
figured with cooler outside air temps that it won't have to work as hard
and might stay cool, but no such luck. I ended up using an ice chest
instead.
What is the opinion on operating the fridge on propane while driving?
This is my third westy and none of the fridges have ever worked very
well on 12V. They tend to warm up to about 65° F, which defeats the
purpose. I have heard that some volks actually run theirs on propane
while driving. Is this safe?
Another strange thing is those pesky LEDs, which work great, except the
water tank level indicators show the tank is half full (or half empty)
when it is actually empty. Anybody know how to fix this?
Also, I am missing the molded, smoke colored, plastic piece that fits
into the refrigerator door to form a small storage shelf. Does anyone
have one available or know of a source for this part?
Sue B.
90 Synchro Westy SeaBus
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