Date:         Tue, 15 Jul 1997 22:04:12 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Bob Bellanca <bajatrvlr@abac.com>
Subject:      Re: 97 EV Norcold Fridge Problems

For all you folks out there who have this problem,...In Europe, the VW
California Camper uses a compressor type chest refridg in order to get away
from all the absorption fridge's problems. Having had the Dometic fridge in
my `82 Westy for so many years and always having to be level all the time
when parked, I'd say it was a good move on Westfalia's part to make the
switch in the EV. Keep Cool ya'all,
Bob Bellanca
`81 Diesel Rabbit
`82 Diesel Westy (soon to be 1.9L turbo, I hope)
`84 Turbo Diesel Jetta

At 11:12 PM 7/15/97 -0500, Macon Cowles wrote:
>I bought a new 97 EV camper from the dealer here in Boulder CO on March 28.
>Turns out that, though we are a mile high in elevation in our town, the
>van did not have the Norcold high altitude conversion kit to run the
>refrigerator properly-or even to light it-at altitudes over 4,000 feet.
>The high altitude kit, by the way, requires a second vent from the
>refrigerator to the outside of the van: directly beneath the vent to the
>outside from the top of the refrigerator.  The new vent will be placed at
>floor level.
>
>The local Winnebago service center has the high altitude kit on order from
>Norcold.  When it had not arrived at the service center for several weeks,
>I called Norcold and was told that the kit is back ordered from _their_
>(Norcold's) supplier.  The Winnebago service center also said that MANY
>purchasers of new EV's are in the same position.
>
>Like other purchasers of the 1997 EV, I have this $34,000 vehicle sitting
>on our driveway.  When we do go on trips with it, we must tote an ice box
>along with us because we cannot even get the fridge to light.  And forget
>about trying to get the DC current to cool anything.  That just does not
>work.  Besides, it will draw down the battery, until the propane alarm goes
>off, in less than eight hours!
>
>I would like to hear from others who have had a similar experience.  At the
>very least, this is a breach of warranty:  bad practice on the part of
>Winnebago and Norcold to ship new units that have this problem.  At worst,
>and to the extent that this was done knowingly, it is a fraud on
>purchasers.  We gave good value for the vehicle.  It should function for
>the intended purpose.
>
>I understand that this problem also afflicted the 96's.  If you have had
>fridge problems, I would like to hear from you.  Perhaps together there is
>something we can do to have Winnebago make this right for its customers.
>
>Macon Cowles
>1680 Wilson Court
>Boulder, CO 80304
>(303) 447-1332
>
>
>