Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2017 10:20:46 -0700
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Fridge
In-Reply-To: <MWHPR12MB1629F9BF83B1C3C042EF7F03BAAF0@MWHPR12MB1629.namprd12.prod.outlook.com>
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David,
I've made a few mods to my fridge and spent the last week or so testing. I've been confounded by the results but I can say a couple of things.
The air pump, I modded mine some years ago according to the notes in Bentley. Also lightly lubed the internal seal. I did not replace the check valve as Bentley recommends, the one I have seemed free flowing and working. My air pump works like a charm
Insulating the exhaust pipe. I thought this a good idea but my test results did not show any definite improvement to fridge temp. I've taken the insulation off and re testing. So far I can't say one way or another pro or con.
The panel lights... culprit is most likely the multiprong connected to panel from fridge. It's a tight fit connector but I've had bad connection there in the past. Deoxit on it and reseating has worked.
Adding another fan helps. I've gone through a few variations in my testing. Right now I have a pair of smaller computer fans strapped to the underside of the upper row of fins as well as the stock fan down low .
In the past when I had multiple fans I found that the fans cycled frequently. Annoyingly so. Seems like the added fan cooled down the fan thermosswitch efficiently and not so much the rest of the fins. So the switch would close again soon after it opened.
Right now I have the fans controlled by digital temp controller which allows me to adjust the fan kick in temp and also dial in a dead zone to reduce cycling.
I hope to have all my results posted on my blog in the next couple of days. Just want to test a little more.
Alistair
> On Jul 12, 2017, at 9:13 AM, David Boan <dboan@OUTLOOK.COM> wrote:
>
> I have an '85 Westy with a fridge that I have avoided servicing till now. I just returned from a trip (see earlier post), and part way through the panel stopped displaying lights and the fridge stopped working on any setting (gas, battery, did not have access to electric). I am guessing the display panel is the problem, but decided I may as well pull the fridge and check it as well. Does it make sense to anyone that the display panel failing would stop the fridge?
>
>
> I want to replace the air pump but have not found one online. Are they still available?
>
>
> I thought I would update the check valve and add a second fan, plus insulate the exhaust, and clean out all the 32 years of dirt (which was surprisingly little, I guess keeping it garaged pays off).
>
>
> Any suggestions? What am I missing?
>
>
> Dave
>
> Boise
>
> '85 Westy
