Hi Chuck,
I did some tests also with the dual readout digital thermometer from radio
shack.
I ran the fridge for over 2 days in the drive way.
In the evening with air temps down to 60s the westy fridge would pull down
to the 30s or even high 20s and definitely make solid ice.
As the day heated up 100s the inside of the van was anywhere from 90s to
100s.
The fridge could not hold temps at all. 50s and 60s inside were common
during the day.
I had some bottles of water in there to add some thermal mass, and made sure
the sun did not hit the
fridge door.

There is some thinking that a totally FULL fridge that can cool itself down
in the evening to the 30s can handle
the heat of the day with thermal mass as the goods in the fridge create a
flywheel effect.
That is about the best it can do from everything I have seen now during many
(hopeful) tests.

I hated giving up on the westy fridge, there are so many good things about
using propane.
And other than high air temps it does pretty well.

Karl replaced his with a Norcold electric unit that he really likes now.
It draws only 2.5 amps or so on 12 volts and has a larger interior than the
westy fridge.
He only paid around 300-400 bucks for it and has not turned back .

I have been working on a "hybrid" fridge for my westy that would still use
the westy fridge components
but add an electric compressor and 134a refrigerant unit to it as well for a
instant cold, and a real freezer.
Yet can still work off the propane side if wanted too.

Doug

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chuck Reisinger" <chuckphoto@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2005 3:04 AM
Subject: Forget the Frig in Summer

> I'm about to forget using my frig in the CA 100 degree +  temps....the
> idea of an ice chest sounds good and makes a lot of sense!  What do you
> do?  Thoughts?
>
> Thanks