Date:         Sat, 16 Jun 2007 10:57:02 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Vickers <jeff@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Vickers <jeff@VICKERSDESIGN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Outhouse fan
Comments: To: Mark Drillock <drillock@earthlink.net>
In-Reply-To:  <467420F2.7060508@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Mark! You have one of the few fusion-powered fridges that VW must
have snuck into production back in the 80s. I've done all the
cleaning, inverting and mods that can be done including a Camping
World fridge fan inside and I really can't hope for more than a
35-45F difference between air and fridge temp. At the end of a 90F
day its almost 50F in the fridge. I'm tempted to try venting the
fridge hot air, but even more tempted to get a Norcold since I plan
on installing a good sized aux battery under the rear seat as well.

Jeff
On Jun 16, 2007, at 10:42 AM, Mark Drillock wrote:

> I have camped in 90-100 degree weather MANY times and the stock
> Dometic works fine. The fins ice up in a day or so and are
> completely frozen solid in a week. I do have an outside vent
> mounted behind mine. This was done to keep the heat from the fridge
> from making it even hotter inside the van but also helps the
> Dometic cool better.
>
> I am planning to camp next week where the forecast is 109-111
> degrees all 5 days we plan to be there. I will let you know if this
> exceeds the Dometic's operating range.
>
> Mark
>
> Jeffrey Vickers wrote:
>
>> I think it would be better to vent the airspace behind the fridge
>> rather than introduce air into it. I don't use my city water hookup
>> and I've often thought that a tiny computer fan in place of the
>> hookup might do the trick. You'd need to prop the little city water
>> door open a bit when using it. I also have the GoWesty pump and fan
>> upgrade which is a MUCH better fan and cools the fins much better.
>> Really quiet. Bottom line is that nothing is going to keep the Dam-
>> etic cool when the temps get up past the 80s. I could sell you my
>> fridge and all my upgrades later this year when I get a Norcold...
>> = )
>> Jeff
>