Date:         Sat, 1 Apr 2006 12:14:34 -0500
Reply-To:     Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: help removing reefer

The dometic 182b is an ammonia absorbsion frig. It has no freon or
compressor. It works by heating the ammonia/water solution. 3 dfferent ways
of heating this are avaliable. If the frig is in , or out of the van, the
pipes do not need ot come off. Just remove all the screws on the exterior
of the van. Actually removing  the frig from the cabinet after this,is a
bit of an art.Be careful that the  corrogiated pipes are not bent much, as
a crack a can occur. This will prevent the frig for working on propane
while driving.It will blow out. You can check if the pipes have been
cracked, or the system is not sealed, by covering the intake pipe with your
hand and blowing on the exhaust. Make sure the little screw cap on the
front is installed first.You will know if the system is sealed.You can do
this with the frig installed too. Flip the frig upside down and tap the
pipes a few times over a couple of days  to loosen up the bromide stuff
inside.Shake the frig real hard,while upside down, a few times too.This is
called burping.Remove and clean the orifice.Clean the burner and remove the
dead bugs from the burner box.Alcohol will not really work for the
oxidation that has collected for the last 20 years.I think any new orifice
that you can buy is 20 yeares old,too. Find something else than alcohol,
then rinse it in alcohol.Soap up the firg and hose it down. Do it
twice.Hose out the vents too.Do it all. Wont hurt anything.Cover the
insulation with aluminum foil first. Let it dry in the sun.A gas grill
tank/regulater will bolt right up if you want to test it before
reinstallation.Dont mess with the electrical heating elements.They are fine
most likely. Add a  couple of computer fans to the rear and one to the
inside.EZ to do. The schematic on the frig is real good for help in
figuring out the wiring. Make sure the door is sealing good , to keep out
the heat. Dont know about the go westy thing, but repairing a common crack
in the igniter cable where it makes a 90 degree bend into the burner box,
will help get a good lite,ez.Reseal your utility boxes . Scrape, and spray
something on that westy rust,and you are good to go. Dont crack the pipes
while reinstalling. Make a manometer for $2, and adjust the regulater on
the tank. 11 inches it is. Type in "manometer" on yahoo and get building
and operation instructions-ez ez ez.If you are not gettng good operation
now, maybe you need to remove and clean and regoop the ice cube tray
aluminum plate(evaperator).You can do this while the frig is installed,and
dont do it unless you have to, or need to,to install an interior fan.Thats
it. Nice weekend for frig fixing.Aint the beer cold!