Yep. That's what I previously thought/wrote. Meter connection.

My 182A one. Now it's on my 182B. Pretty handy though in hindsight I
should have mounted it externally somewhere.

Neil.

On Sat, Aug 16, 2008 at 7:21 AM, mdrillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
> I think it is for the negative lead to the optional flame meter found in
> early years. The old flame meter uses the nearby spade on the top end of
> the thermocouple as it's positive lead. This positive lead is later used
> for the flame LED though many times here people have wrongly referred to
> it as a ground. Frank Condelli's Dometic writeup perpetrates this error.
> It is not a ground at all, but a positive voltage source for the LED
> flame indicator.
>
> Mark
>
>
> Mike Elliott wrote:
>>
>> My guess is that connector provides a handy place to connect a battery
>> or power supply's negative return terminal to when testing the reefer
>> outside the van. When the reefer is installed the mounting bolts provide
>> the path for the current return to the chassis.
>> --
>> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
>> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
>> 74 Utility Trailer: Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
>> KG6RCR
>>
>> On 8/16/2008 3:47 AM Frank Condelli wrote:
>>
>>> In a message dated 15/08/2008 6:24:31 P.M. Central Standard Time,
>>> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
>>>
>>>        There was no connection to  that spade connector.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>>>> Well, I'm done with checking out the fridge,  runs on propane,
>>>>>>>>> ac, and
>>>
>>> 12v, did the modification to the air pump, cleaned up  the rust that was
>>> behind the fridge and coated it with POR 15 and replaced the  old
>>> insulation. So
>>> now it's time to reinstall it. However, on the back of the
>>> thermostat is a
>>> spade lug that looks like it would connect to a ground-I don't
>>> remember pulling
>>> anything off that lug, and I don't see anything that would  connect
>>> to it. It
>>> is evenly discolored all over, I'm thinking if there were a  female
>>> connector
>>> on it it would be lightly scratched-am I correct that nothing
>>> connects to  it?
>>> <<<<<<<<<<
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Frank  Condelli