Date:         Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:24:24 -0700
Reply-To:     neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: VF vs Upgraded Dometic Current Draw
Comments: To: craig cowan <phishman068@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <d1ea9acf0907272158m1f2d33c9qffc0c923005bebcd@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 9:58 PM, craig cowan<phishman068@gmail.com> wrote:
> My interior temps today reached 145*
> My dometic at that time was at 51*
> It didn't stay at that temp for long.....but just to give you some
> idea....80* interior temps are impractical, even back "home" on the east
> coast. Interior temps in these vans will always be above ambient, there's
> just too many windows.
> My interior and exterior hopped up dometic fans can't possibly draw anywhere
> near an amp/hr. I'd guess more like 1/8amp/hr or 1/4amp/hr.
> I've had it running for 5 days now, day and night...... and my battery is
> still at 12.6 volts. So I know for a fact I can go at LEAST a week of
> running the dometic with fans on and not have to add power to the battery.
> Your results may vary.
> -Craig
> '85GL turned WESTY
> BOSTIG in the back
> On Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 7:52 PM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>


Hey Craig.

Cool (no pun intended). Thanks for your findings.

Yah my 3 fans may not draw as much as I estimate. I really should put
a meter on the circuit and measure. Plus, my 44 AH aux battery is more
than a few years old. One that was "abused" due to my former newbie
ignorance. And, I don't have any insulation between back of fridge an
sheet metal. That can't help.

And for sure. Interior temps can sky rocket with the van closed down.
I'm just surprised at how quickly the frost disappears from the fins
even when *pre chilled* food is put in when ambient temps are high.
Personally I worry about stuff like chicken going south. BTDT big time
with salmonella. Can't go there again! I see a VF, TF, or Edgestar in
my future.

Neil.


--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines