Date:         Tue, 16 Jun 1998 07:16:07 8
Reply-To:     Wes Neuenschwander <wesn@ESKIMO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
Comments:     Authenticated sender is <wesn@mail.eskimo.com>
From:         Wes Neuenschwander <wesn@ESKIMO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Re-Post (sorry) re. Fridges
Comments: To: Roger Brant <ram@INTOUCH.BC.CA>, vanagon@vanagon.com

> Date:          Mon, 15 Jun 1998 19:02:12 -0700
> From:          Roger Brant <ram@INTOUCH.BC.CA>
> Subject:       Re-Post (sorry) re. Fridges

> Sorry, people, but I was trying to get back on the list, and the  "SET
> MAIL" command failed till later today.  If anyone posted in reply and
> would be so kind to re-send (back-channel, even) I'd sure appreciate any
> input about my fridge problem.  Thanks, all. Roger
>
> Original post was:
>
> Hi,
>
> I recently bought a '79 Westy, and the fridge was barely working, now is
> totally NOT working.
>
> Anyone know of a company that makes replacements for this unit?  It's
> made by DOMETIC, and fits along the driver side, right in front of the
> rear left wheel.  The control panel is furthest back, then the fridge.
>
> Also, (or otherwise?)  do you know of other small fridges that would fit
> in such a slim space as to allow the bed to still fold down?
>
> Thanks all, from this new enthusiast!
>
> Roger
>

Bad news is that there are very few parts still available, since Dometic
discontinued this model some years ago.  Good news is that it probably
doesn't need parts;  just a good tune-up.

Typically all that is involved in getting these things working again is to
remove the fridge unit from the van and disassemble and clean the fridge
burner assembly.

For a copy of a (typical) Dometic owner's manual, see:

  ftp://gerry.vanagon.com/pub/propane-manuals-89-westy/

However, if the fridge does not work on either gas or electric (assuming
it's a 2 or 3 way model), then your problem won't be solved by cleaning
the burner.  RV service companies are probably your best bet (unless
you're fairly savvy/careful) in this case.  Parts (what few still exist)
can be purchased directly from Dometic (also, Euro American RV had some
parts in stock).

Dometic:   1-800-816-5115  or (219) 463-4858 (tech support)
Euro American RV Products:  818-760-4214

I am not aware of any replacement fridges similar in size to the Vanagon
Dometic's.  Dometic was making a model in sort of a standard 'under
counter' size, but even that would require substantial re-working of the
cabinetry to fit it.  The unit (Norcold?) used in the Winnie Eurovan's
might be another possibility, though once again a major job fitting
in (and, I hear, they've been somewhat troublesome).  Keep in mind too
that any new replacement fridge is going to be expensive (several hundreds
of dollars, plus installation).  Instead (assuming your unit is not
serviceable) you might want to try to find a used replacement unit.  May
take a while, but would probably be easiest in the long run.

-Wes

Wes Neuenschwander
Seattle, WA
wesn@eskimo.com