Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:22:26 -0700
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Dometic Fridge: Bah Humbug! <grin>
In-Reply-To: <20100811181128.VRPXT.1300147.imail@eastrmwml29>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
ok dave, I retract. but '82 owners book makes no mention of it but in
fact BC regs seem to forbid it.
http://www.drivesmartbc.ca/rvs/operating-rvs-propane
as for fan on back, its wired so it will come on even if ign off etc.
alistair
On 11-Aug-10, at 3:11 PM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
Alistair,
My Camper is a 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile.
On page 15 in my _Camper/Multivan Suppplement to Volkswagen Vanagon
Owner's Manual_ (highlighted in blue):
"WARNING
Make sure the main valve is closed whenever you are driving, or if
you are not going to be using the stove for a period of time."
The admonishment that the main valve for the LP gas tank must be
closed for driving is repeated on page 21 of my owner's supplement
under the heading "Driving Safely," and subheading "When driving
your Camper /Multivan remember the following:" Here the warning
reads (not highlighted in blue): "The main valve for the LP gas tank
must be closed."
The same warning is repeated on page 16, again highlighted in blue,
where the warning reads:
"WARNING
Never use the LP gas when driving. Always switch to 12 V before
starting off." This is under the heading "Controls and Equipment"
and subheading "Refrigerator (Camper Only)."
I must have remembered incorrectly concerning the warning I thought
was on the skid plate of the propane system. There is no
admonishment there concerning the main valve and driving. However,
the warning is clearly stated on pages 15, 16, and 21 of my owner's
book.
So far as the DOT rules reaching into other countries, the Camper was
sold in both the U.S. and Canada, and the owner's book I have is
applicable to both countries (in fact, and almost certainly due to an
error at the printer, part of my book is in French, part in English,
but the French portions are not duplicated in English and vice
versa!). The warning labels on the skid plate covering the propane
system do state that regulations applicable in the country of
operation are to be followed. I have no idea whether Canada has a
similar regulation to our DOT requirement that camper propane systems
valves be closed when the vehicle is in motion.
Now, I have a question. I investigated these questions in my van
just now, which is sitting in my driveway in the bright Oklahoma sun,
temperature in the shade on my front porch 106 F (south side of
house) and in the shade on my back porch (north side of house) 104
F. Besides the questions we are concerned about, I discovered that
the refrigerator fan was running. So, is the fan switch
thermostatically controlled, and also not in series with anything
else about the refrigerator? Is it supposed to come on and cool the
back of the refrigerator, even if the refrigerator is not on? Should
I be concerned about draining the battery?
Sincerely, David McNeely