Date:         Thu, 4 Jun 2009 16:52:12 -0500
Reply-To:     Deke Rivers <dekeriv@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Deke Rivers <dekeriv@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      Re: Dometic Frig - Realistic Cooling
In-Reply-To:  <BLU0-SMTP993CA019C3494C355951C6DA4B0@phx.gbl>
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I have seen numerous comments over the years about adding new fans to
promote better air movement around the condenser.  All have been cpu type
fans.  Has anyone ever put in a blower-type fan that would pull in the air
from the side and direct it out the top?  It seems to me this might be more
efficient since it would not just move the air but actually direct it
towards the top and out from behind the frig.

Deke

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Keith Hughes
Sent: Thursday, June 04, 2009 3:24 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Dometic Frig - Realistic Cooling

> From:    Deke Rivers <dekeriv@BELLSOUTH.NET>
> Subject: Dometic Frig - Realistic Cooling
>
> I have an '86 Westy with the original Dometic Frig.  It is cooling on
either
> gas or 110AC - with maybe a slight advantage on the AC.  But it is just
> border-line on keeping the interior below 40 degf.  What should it be able
> to do?  Can it get below 40 degf if its 80 degf outside?  How about 90
degf?

On average, a well functioning unit should give you a 40-50°F
differential.  However, the differential is also proportional to the
ambient temperature.  The lower the temperature, the greater the
differential between the boiler temp and the condenser temp, and the
greater the efficiency.  Above about 110°F ambient, the efficiency drops
dramatically.  Once the ambient nears the boiler temp, the unit no
longer functions.  At 80°F ambient, my unit (with additional rear
condenser fan, and dual internal CPU fans) will reach a differential of
about 45°F.  At 115°F (in my garage) it drops to about 15-20°F differential.

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico (Marvin)