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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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