Date:         Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:29:36 -0700
Reply-To:     neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Dometic Fridge: Bah Humbug! <grin>
Comments: To: mcneely4@cox.net
In-Reply-To:  <20100811192412.EO847.1300790.imail@eastrmwml29>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

<shrugs>    :)

Yah maybe fins get hot enough even if fridge off.

To all:

Despite the subject wording I chose, I wasn't directly ragging on the
Dometic fridge. Was just venting.

I still think it is a really useful appliance. Especially given how
long it can run on a tank of LP.

Assuming all is in good operating condition.  ;)

Neil.

On 8/11/10, mcneely4@cox.net <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
> Neil, the refrigerator has not been on for two weeks, since we returned from
> our trip out West.  Hence my question.  Seems that the van is quite hot
> inside, and the refrigerator fan has kicked on.  But I did not know it would
> do that (and do not remember it doing it before) unless the refrigerator was
> operating.
>
> DMc
>
> ---- neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi David.
>>
>> Saw your response to Alistair. My manual is for an '81. Seems they
>> made some changes over the years.
>>
>> I've taken mine apart several times. Cleaned etc. Both on a 182A and
>> 182B. Dirt, whether it be blockages or in the form of corrosion, etc
>> do affect operation for sure.
>>
>> btw, not that you asked me directly but.... ;)
>>
>> the stock rear fan is controlled by a thermal switch at a cooling fin.
>> If it gets too hot inside the van, fridge works harder creating more
>> heat. Cooling fin too hot, switch closes, fan on. It is not switched
>> otherwise. I measured current used on two spare fan motors: ~ 0.27
>> amps each. Not much to worry about IMO.  The fan should turn off once
>> fridge is off for a while. Not sure if high ambient temps would heat
>> up fin enough to trigger it though....
>>
>> pic (thermal switch is little blue thing) http://tinyurl.com/2engpvb
>>
>> Likely this is the same or very similar on later model Dometics
>>
>> Neil.
>>
>> On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 3:18 PM,  <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
>> > Neil,  please see my response to Alistair re propane operation while
>> > driving.
>> >
>> > And, in further answer to Alistair (sorry, Alistair, dropped this one),
>> > the only thing I do to maintain the refrigerator is to keep it clean,
>> > including pulling it and cleaning the back and underneath it (I've done
>> > that one time in a year).  Also check for leaks in the propane system,
>> > but that doesn't relate to the 12V operation.  I have been told that a
>> > major reason the refrigerator doesn't cool adequately for some is that
>> > it is dirty, including the fan being dirty.  Also, flue dirty.
>> >
>> > Now, when it is 100 F +, the 12V system will only keep the refrigerator
>> > cool, not cold, that is true.  But, it does keep cool.
>> >
>> > DMc
>> >
>> > ---- neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 1:50 PM,  <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
>> >> > ---- neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> >
>> >> >> It still won't stay lit while driving!
>> >> >
>> >> > The refrigerator is NOT SUPPOSED to stay lit while driving.
>> >> >  Instructions on the propane system specify that the vehicle is not
>> >> > supposed to be driven with the propane valve open.  The reason the
>> >> > refrigerator has a 12 V mode is for driving.  If the refrigerator is
>> >> > reasonably well maintained, the 12 V mode works, too.  Mine does.
>> >> >
>> >> > I know that some people claim to keep the refrigerator on propane
>> >> > mode while driving.  Guess what -- the instruction to turn the
>> >> > propane off while driving, in the camper owner's manual, and on the
>> >> > label on the propane port, is per DOT.  Why not use the refrigerator
>> >> > as it is supposed to be used?
>>
>> >>
>> >> I've read numerous comments in the archives regarding driving with it
>> >> lit or not. Not sure which instructions you refer to, but I just read
>> >> my Dometic glove box manual and door on 182B. No where did I see
>> >> anything saying do not drive with fridge running on LP. I may have
>> >> missed it. However. They do make mention, in upper case, of 'never
>> >> putting hot food in the fridge'.    <grin>
>> >>
>> >> On the last trip, I drove with it on 12V. My 12V system works fine too.
>> >>
>> >> What I'd like, is to have it stay lit even if it gets windy in camp.
>> >> On last few trips before doing this recent work, it would blow out on
>> >> the highway, and in camp. Even if it was only mildly windy.
>> >>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>>
>> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>>
>> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>
> --
> David McNeely
>


--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

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