Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 12:45:04 -0400
Reply-To: Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Shipping Dometic Fridge - This Side Up?
The only concern about shipping a Dometic may be breaking the exhaust
vents. They are the corrigated stainless steel pieces, and they are
fragile. They are supposed to be flexable, but the metal is brittle.Flex
it too far and it will crack.If it cracks, it will flame out when driving.
The fix is to use muffler cement,but it is better to secure the unit for
shipping so the tubes are supported.This makes for a larger box.
Operating the Dometic off level is not supposed to be as critical as
thought. I think a big reason for poorly operating Dometics is the leakage
of hydrogen.Hydrogen and ammonia combine to create the cooling effect.Like
those bags a medic uses on the sidelines of a sporting event for injured
players.They smash the little vial, and it mixes with the larger amount of
liquid, inside the bag.You can always hear the ammonia sloshing around
inside the pipes of the Dometic, but does it have enough hydrogen gas with
which to combine? Hydrogeon is the lightest of all gases and easily leaks
if given a chance.
It is said that the reason for not operating a unit off level is that the
burner will be starved of liquid ammonia.There is a second substance
circulating with the ammonia which prevents corrosion inside the
pipes.When overheated, by starving the burner, this substance will
crystialize and can block pasages further down stream. In practice this is
supposed to be very, very rare, and not to be as concerned with, as is
thought.I think the hydrogen issue is to blame.
The burner on the Dometic is located so that it can be placed at the
lowest level ,when camping.Gravity will supply the burner best then, if
tilt is an issue.In the Vanagon this means put the drivers side, rear
wheel, at the lowest point.The burner will be lowest ,then.I dont think
the pipes that rout through the system cause starvation of the burner, if
operated off level.There are only about 6 ounces of ammonia inside.If you
look at the very bottom of a Dometic, one can see how a small tilt off
level can starve the burner.Tilt from drivers side to passenger side is
probably less critical.
Burp the frig by turning it upside down.You can probably do this best by
placing the UP shipping arrows in the wrong direction :>).Make sure the
vent tubes are WELL supported.When you finally get it(( does this listee
ship fast ( :>) again)?), keep it upside down for a day and tap the pipes
with a rubber mallet, several times over this time period.Then ,quickly
turn the Dometic right side up.
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