Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:05:56 -0400
Reply-To: phishman068@GMAIL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Craig Cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Mini Fridge
In-Reply-To: <CALw9qvuyJvXbWW6ntf=drU4BnecirdMdWhT1MFN-pH0WWKJYBQ@mail.gmail.com>
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The domestic works best on propane, so concentrate on getting that working!
-craig
On Jun 11, 2013, at 3:19 PM, Jim Ogul <jimogul70@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Thanks to all for your advice on this issue. I am dropping the mini-fridge
> idea. The chief problem is compressor start-up draw. And I will now
> concentrate on getting the best I can out of the built in refrigerator.
> Luckily for a complete novice to these vehicles the refrigerator does work
> on the Westy I bought. At least it does work on AC and it gets down to
> about 40 degrees fahrenheit. I haven't tried it on DC yet but will. I
> havent even used the propane system yet. I think before I do I need get it
> pressure tested to make sure its ok. On the few camping trips we have
> taken we used a chest style cooler and it worked fine. I have a ton of
> those freezer packs that they mail my sons meds with and I put those in.
> Could put those in the Dometic too. FYI there is a ton of information on
> the use of inverters on the internet. Truckers in particular have a lot
> of experience with them.
>
> Jim
> Frederick, MD
> 85 Westy
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 11:32 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
>> Pretty close Dave :) last measurement was 35.96F in fridge, and 76.64F in
>> van.
>> So that is about a 40F degree diff.
>>
>>
>>
>> My fridge had the fins cleaned, and the (added) internal fan was not on. I
>> do not think I had the mains water port aux fan on. That mod, in which you
>> gut the city water port and add a fan so that it vents the body space
>> behind the fridge, is a worthy mod. I would guess it would add few degrees
>> to the temp difference. But I think it would be maxing out the potential of
>> the system.
>>
>> In the field, I found the big killer is the sun beating down on the fridge
>> side of van. I have rigged up a space blanket (the fabric reinforced shiny
>> mylar type) to shade that part of the van. Without the shade that part of
>> the body is hot to the touch.
>>
>> alistair
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 2013-06-10, at 8:16 PM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>>
>>> ---- Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@MYMTS.NET> wrote:
>>>> Impressive! Am i reading that right? After three hours, solely on
>> propane, hardly any change in interior temperature, and you're almost at
>> freezing? Any tips? Interior fan to circulate air or something?
>>>>
>>>> I can get that kind of cooling with shore power but propane takes
>> longer - or so I assume since i haven't kept track like you did :) And I
>> never use 12V.
>>>
>>> Actually Jeff, he had an ambient temperature drop from low 80s F to mid
>> 70s F, and achieved a refrigerator temperature of about 36 F. mcneely
>>