Hi David.

Saw your response to Alistair. My manual is for an '81. Seems they
made some changes over the years.

I've taken mine apart several times. Cleaned etc. Both on a 182A and
182B. Dirt, whether it be blockages or in the form of corrosion, etc
do affect operation for sure.

btw, not that you asked me directly but.... ;)

the stock rear fan is controlled by a thermal switch at a cooling fin.
If it gets too hot inside the van, fridge works harder creating more
heat. Cooling fin too hot, switch closes, fan on. It is not switched
otherwise. I measured current used on two spare fan motors: ~ 0.27
amps each. Not much to worry about IMO.  The fan should turn off once
fridge is off for a while. Not sure if high ambient temps would heat
up fin enough to trigger it though....

pic (thermal switch is little blue thing) http://tinyurl.com/2engpvb

Likely this is the same or very similar on later model Dometics

Neil.

On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 3:18 PM,  <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
> Neil, �please see my response to Alistair re propane operation while driving.
>
> And, in further answer to Alistair (sorry, Alistair, dropped this one), the only thing I do to maintain the refrigerator is to keep it clean, including pulling it and cleaning the back and underneath it (I've done that one time in a year). �Also check for leaks in the propane system, but that doesn't relate to the 12V operation. �I have been told that a major reason the refrigerator doesn't cool adequately for some is that it is dirty, including the fan being dirty. �Also, flue dirty.
>
> Now, when it is 100 F +, the 12V system will only keep the refrigerator cool, not cold, that is true. �But, it does keep cool.
>
> DMc
>
> ---- neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 1:50 PM, �<mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
>> > ---- neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
>> >> It still won't stay lit while driving!
>> >
>> > The refrigerator is NOT SUPPOSED to stay lit while driving. �Instructions on the propane system specify that the vehicle is not supposed to be driven with the propane valve open. �The reason the refrigerator has a 12 V mode is for driving. �If the refrigerator is reasonably well maintained, the 12 V mode works, too. �Mine does.
>> >
>> > I know that some people claim to keep the refrigerator on propane mode while driving. �Guess what -- the instruction to turn the propane off while driving, in the camper owner's manual, and on the label on the propane port, is per DOT. �Why not use the refrigerator as it is supposed to be used?

>>
>> I've read numerous comments in the archives regarding driving with it
>> lit or not. Not sure which instructions you refer to, but I just read
>> my Dometic glove box manual and door on 182B. No where did I see
>> anything saying do not drive with fridge running on LP. I may have
>> missed it. However. They do make mention, in upper case, of 'never
>> putting hot food in the fridge'. � �<grin>
>>
>> On the last trip, I drove with it on 12V. My 12V system works fine too.
>>
>> What I'd like, is to have it stay lit even if it gets windy in camp.
>> On last few trips before doing this recent work, it would blow out on
>> the highway, and in camp. Even if it was only mildly windy.
>>

-- 
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines