You didn't give a year and more importantly, the model number of your fridge
(RM182A, B or BEGI).  Westfalia shows two different Thermostats:

VW# 253 070 522 80-86 w/RM182A or B

VW# 255 070 527 87-91 w/RM182B or BEGI

It is basically a disc shaped piece with two electrical terminals and the
disc bracket attaches to the fins on the fridge.  While, VW has discontinued
carrying these, but are still available from RV supply houses with prices
ranging from $40 to $50.  While VW doesn't indicate the earlier one being
superseded to the later one, from my research, it shows that Dometic only
offers one replacement regardless of fridge RM182 series model.  Here's a
link to a place in Texas that offers them (around $44):

http://www.rvdealership.com/rvdstore/pc-120614-1-switcht-stat-n.aspx

or Bus Depot (at $16 higher, if they can get them):
http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=255070527

I'm not sure what you mean by the "tube rather broken".  Are you sure you're
talking about the Thermostat or the ThermoCouple (VW # 253 070 589 [now 255
070 506]), which has a long copper tube?  2 entirely different items.

If what you're looking for is the ThermoCouple, here's a few links:

From GoWesty:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=2446&category_id=129&category_parent_id
=

From that Texas place I described earlier (almost $10 higher than GoWesty):
http://www.rvdealership.com/rvdstore/pc-141787-1-thermocouple-n.aspx

From Bus Depot (over $20 higher than GoWesty):
http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=253070589

Hope this info might help.....and I agree with Dennis Haynes, a heater
regulator/home thermostat would not work very well, if at all.
--
Jim Thompson
84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
oldvolkshome@gmail.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
***********************************
On 7/19/07, Matthias Kuster <matthiaskuster@verizon.net > wrote:
>
> I just removed my fridge and saw that it has the thermostat lead
> wire, tube rather broken. What are my replacement options? I heard
> someone say that a regulator home thermostat for an upright gas
> heater can be substituted. If so how? I guess my Dometic will not
> reach full capacity ever without thermostat influence? That tube
> being broken means it's not working on high, since the gas inside
> escaped? It will only work on low now? Could I tweak it so it's
> always on full steam/gas?
> Finally found the cause of my gas leak: A cracked nut to the
> refrigerator gas valve, on the main copper line. Unbelievable. But
> managed to fix that.
>
> I shall finally reach happycamperdom!
>
> Matthias