Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 12:18:58 -0400
Reply-To: pickle vanagon <greenvanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: pickle vanagon <greenvanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Dometic, Installing in a non-camper
In-Reply-To: <5a099d980807041635n1498a4fi25d23eb097d6430f@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Neil,
I feel like I have to ask: have you considered installing a different
fridge? My 182 works great and I love it, but it seems like so many people
have problems with them. Also, installation requires that the fridge as a
perfectly fitted enclosure that snugly holds it in the level position.
(Notice, the dom can't just sit flat on the floor. It needs to be held off
the floor by suitable supports). It would be possible to build something,
but probably most feasible to do so with the westy cabinets in front of your
for measurement purposes.
There are other more "modern" fridges---even 3-way fridges---that I'm sure
lots of westy owners would love to install in their vans, and the only
reason they don't is because they aren't a perfect fit with the existing
westy fridge cabinet. Since you don't have a westy fridge cabinet right
now, you have the freedom to go with other options that most people don't
have. You could get a bigger one, etc. And you shouldn't have any trouble
selling off the Dom fridge you already have to some westy owner whose
restricted in his choice by his cabinets.
If you don't already have a propane tank and aren't planning to install a
stove, it seems like a no brainer to go with one of the efficient compressor
models that run off an aux battery. For the cost and trouble your
considering with installing propane, you could even put in 2 aux batteries,
and have a more efficient, more effective, and larger fridge that would run
for a good long camping trip. And you wouldn't have a potentially dangerous
non-original propane setup to worry about.
I know this is one of those posts that doesn't really answer your question,
but I just wanted to point this stuff out, in case you hadn't considered it.
-Wes
On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 7:35 PM, Neil2 <vidublu@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey volks,
>
> Can anyone refer to me to an owner site or provide input on the process of
> installing a Dom into a Vanagon. I'm interested in the following:
>
> Time/tools/inspections required/advised
> Best location (I'm thinking directly aft of the Driver)
> If anyone has installed an enclosed access panel on the exterior which
> houses the utility connections and/or provides access for PM
> An improved design for the air inlet/outlet
> If anyone knows the thickness of the stock LP tank's cylinder wall compared
> to those 17# tanks or smaller sold at hardware stores.
> If anyone has shortend the inlet tube and/or lengthened the exhaust tube
> from the Dom to effect a superior 'flue draft'.
>
> Amicalement!
>
> --
> Neil2
> '82 Diesel Westy (Duckie)
> Nunquam Pendite Divendium
>
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