Date:         Wed, 26 May 1999 10:47:40 -0400
Reply-To:     Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject:      Door seals for Dometic 182: Dometic Fridge Defrosting & Fuel
              Consumption

I know that our door seal doesn't at the bottom.

You know I won't mess with any Spanky & Alfalfa fixes, I want a new seal...Does anyone have a source for just the seal new???

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree


-----Original Message-----
From:   Wes Neuenschwander [SMTP:wesn@ESKIMO.COM]
Sent:   Wednesday, May 26, 1999 3:08 AM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Re: Dometic Fridge Defrosting & Fuel Consumption

Icing is related to the amount of moisture in the air.  Obviously more of
a problem in humid climates than dry.  Excessive icing is usually caused
by poor door seals.  Check the door gasket seal by sliding a piece of
paper around the perimeter of the door between the gasket and the box.
It should be snug all the way around.  You can also visually inspect for
cracks, depressions and other areas than might be leaking.  Another
factor is how frequently the door is opened.  Frequent opening and
closing admits lots of ambient air - and moisture.

I've found that adding a small fan (such as the little Fridgemate battery
powered unit) can help reduce icing, presumably by increasing heat
transfer (basically, it doesn't let the fins get cold enough to form ice).

Refrigerator fuel consumption varies substantially with the ambient
temperature.  I seem to recall a list member running his fridge for
around 3-4 weeks, during typical midwest summer weather.

Frankly, I find that the stovetop fuel consumption is much more of a
factor, especially if you use the unit for heating lots of water
(dishwashing, for instance).  I generally find that between the fridge
and cooktop I use about 1 gallon/week.  I try to refill about every 2
weeks when camping and so far have not run out of fuel.

-Wes


> Date:          Tue, 25 May 1999 09:39:53 -0400
> From:          "sh@interlog.com" <sh@INTERLOG.COM>
> Subject:       Dometic Fridge Defrosting & Fuel Consumption

> Just wondering if anyone else has experienced the icing up problem on the
> coils.  Seems to start after 2 days of use (on propane) regardless of
> ambient weather conditions.  It gets worse from there, and a major
> defrosting (and/or chipping away of the buildup) is required after 3-4
> days.
>
> Also wondering if propane consumption is the same (since the flame is
> always on), regardless of the ambient temperatures or thermostat setting.
> - Steven Heller Toronto, Canada
>

Wes Neuenschwander
Seattle, WA
wesn@eskimo.com