Thanks Dennis for the explanation. I appreciate it was designed to work this way. Still seems dumb to me :)

Jeff 

Sent from my iPad

On 2013-06-12, at 10:53 PM, "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:

> It may be dumb but it works this way for a number of reasons. The fridge is
> designed to run on propane as its normal fuel source. There is no electrical
> supply needed for propane operation and there is no electrical interface to
> the 12 volt system to control anything outside of the burner system. So the
> condenser fan switch has 12 volt power all the time and if the condenser
> goes over 110-120F the fan will turn on. Yes leave it in the heat long
> enough and you will run the battery down. Also, if you use the 110 volt
> option you will also run into the this problem as there is no on board
> battery charger unless you added one.  What is really dumb is that this
> fridge dissipates all it heat in the vehicle interior. Most RV applications
> have a separate plenum area outside to vent the fridge. 
> 
> Dennis
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Jeff Palmer
> Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 9:47 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Dometic
> 
> This is dumb. I imagine its possible to run your battery down if you leave
> it in the sun long enough, even if you're not using the fridge?
> 
> Jeff
> 
>> Date: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:28:03 -0700
>> From: scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM
>> Subject: Re: Dometic
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> 
>> I've measured the in-the-sun interior temp to be as high as 120 F , 
>> Westy sitting in intense sun.
>> the fan's power is through one of those fuses behind the driver's seat..
>> Full time power.  If the temp sensor sees hot enough temp, fan runs.
>> Nothing has to be 'on' or anything.
>> 
>> pull the fuse if you don't want it runningparked in hot sun.
>> 
>> Scott
>> 
>> 
>> On 6/12/2013 5:04 PM, mark drillock wrote:
>>> Yes, it is normal.
>>> 
>>> Mark
>>> 
>>> Finn Runyon wrote:
>>>> A friend who parks his van outside in the intense NM sun has 
>>>> noticed that the refrigerator cooling fan is running even though 
>>>> the fridge is not on.  Since my Westy is garaged, I have not 
>>>> recently experienced that issue, but vaguely remember it being the 
>>>> case.  I have the Dometic manual and it does not address this 
>>>> issue.  Can someone confirm if this is normal?
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Finn Runyon
>>>> 87 Westy Pooh
>>>> 89 Westy Roo
> 
>