Date:         Sun, 9 Sep 2007 22:59:14 -0400
Reply-To:     Kevin Gilbert <kggilbert@MYACTV.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kevin Gilbert <kggilbert@MYACTV.NET>
Subject:      Dometic and mpg
In-Reply-To:  <6BBD92CF-8918-431C-826B-78DAD1EE4641@xochi.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Vanagoons,

Successes are always more pleasant to report on, so here goes.

I just returned from a quick 900-mile jaunt to south-central North
Carolina. Temps were high 90s every day. The Dometic worked
reasonably well. I followed the list's excellent collection of
lighting advice and had decent cooling. First I pre-chilled the
fridge on AC the night before departure. I switched to 12V while
driving, and lit the propane at night. I always light a burner first
to convince the fridge (and myself) that the gas is flowing, then
light the fridge. I put the gas control to about 3/4, then pump and
ignite. At fully open the pressure is a bit high, and seems to blow
out the spark. True to list research, the Dometic stayed 30-35
degrees F below the ambient temperature. No ice cubes, but no food
spoilage, either.

Also, the '84 westy  waterboxer got 22 mpg (21.88, to be exact). I
thought that pretty good, driving a loaf in need of slippery wax and
during mostly daylight hours when power-robbing photons are densest :)

kgg