I just explained the functioning of a fridge to my daughter who wondered why
we have to heat something up to make it cool.

Fridges work on compression/decompression and need circulation. In
compressor driven models the compressor uses electricity to do this. In
absorber models (like the Dometic, Eletrolux etc.) the circulation relies on
a heat source (heat rises). This means that these fridges are only working
properly when level. Consider this when you are camping.

However, while you are driving the movement and sawying of the car actually
seems to help and the fridge works very well on 12V when you are driving.
Don't leave it in for too long without the engine running, it is as if you
leave the headlights on. (You can think about some ways to keep it swaying
while camping).

I am going camping tomorrow and I just had my fridge apart for maintenance.

cheers,

Bj�rn

At 12:22 PM 29/06/98 -0700, you wrote:
>Today, I took my '79 Westy into an RV fridge specialist, to see why the
>Dometic AC/DC powered fridge doesn't work.  He told me that these models
>MUST be on level ground to work properly.
>
>My question:  How can they be expected to keep cold when travelling?  Am I
>supposed to turn it off during transit, as opposed to running on 12 volt?
>
>If anyone has their original manual from a similar model, I'd love to know
>what VW or Dometic said about this situation.
>
>
>Thanks, all.
>
>Roger
>
>
Bj�rn Ratjen, Ph.D.

Canada
ph/fax (250) 743-7575