Date:         Sun, 28 Mar 1999 09:34:15 -0500
Reply-To:     Bob Stratton <rslist@SDII.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bob Stratton <rslist@SDII.COM>
Subject:      Does refrigerator lamp work on AC too?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi all,

Since it's threatening to warm up around here (near D.C.), I decided to
give the equipment on my new '89 Syncro Westy a once-over.

I decided to fire up the infamous Dometic RM182 and to check out the
veracity of my dealer's instructions regarding starting the refrigerator.
Since it's such a pain to light, he suggested running it on 12V for about
30 minutes, and then lighting it. I've rewired the coach battery connection
so that I can run the accessories off of the Optima even with the engine
off. It requires a little more vigilance than the default wiring scheme,
but I like it.

To my surprise this starting procedure seems to work really well. One thing
does concern me: On the flare panel for water level/voltage, there's a
little light that indicates the refrigerator heating mechanism (either
electrical or LP) is on. Mine comes on for 12V and for LP, but not for 110V
AC. I couldn't find anything in the manuals that said it wouldn't light for
AC.

I didn't have time to leave it plugged in to AC to see if it got cold. I
did check the voltage on the "hidden" AC outlet, and it looked o.k.

Is this light supposed to work when running on "shore power?"

Thanks,
--Bob, KE4GDC
89 Westy Syncro GL