Question about operating fridge from a relative newbie...

There is a center dial (maybe dial "C" according to the diagram) that looks
like a thermostat. However, it has a propane symbol next to it so I
understood it to mean that the propane setting was adjustable, but that the
12V and 110V options were either on or off. Meaning, if you had the option
switched to 12V, and the van running, the fridge was on, regardless of the
"propane thermostat" setting. Same thing if the van was plugged in and the
option switch set to 110V. Is that center switch actually a thermostat for
ALL 3 settings?

Thanks.

Brian
'85 Westy

                -----Original Message-----
                From:   S Sittservl [mailto:Ssittservl@AOL.COM]
                Sent:   Thursday, August 19, 1999 5:48 PM
                To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
                Subject:        Re: Dometic Fridge on my 84 Westy

                You'll probably get lots of replies - the fridge is a
popular topic.

                The fridge always works silently (propane, 110V, or 12V),
except for one
                thing: a coil fan behind the fridge, that cools off the rear
coils.  It turns
                on when the coils get hot (about 110 degrees), regardless of
whether
                the fridge is on or not.  It runs off the "pump" fuse,
whereas the 12V
                cooling mode works off the "fridge" fuse.

                12V only works when the engine is running.  There's a relay
under the
                driver's seat that shuts off the power if the engine is off.
Otherwise,
                the fridge would drain the battery very quickly (something
in the 5 to
                10 hour range, if I remember right).

                The fridge generally takes a few hours to get cool, but you
can usually
                feel that the interior fins are cold within an hour.  It's
best to put cold
                things in the fridge, rather than put in warm things and
expect the
                fridge to cool them.

                The fridges are very reliable, except for two things:
                (1) The coil fans frequently quit working.  This makes the
fridge
                    cool less well.  Solution: replace the fan.  Testing
your fan:
                    run the fridge on a hot day (80 or 90 degrees) with the
van
                    closed up.  After a few hours, you should be able to
hear
                    the fan through the vent beside the rear table.
                (2) Many people have trouble getting the propane to light,
                    or find that the fridge cools poorly on propane.
Typical
                    solutions:  various lighting tricks, or clean the burner
                    and/or flues, or replace the propane regulator if it's
not
                    supplying enough pressure.

                110V almost always works, and is usually the coldest.  12V
                almost always works, but is usually the least cold.

                Most of the fridges aren't as cold as people would like them
                to be, especially in hot weather, but I think most people
find
                them to be adequate most of the time.  Only a fortunate few
                are able to make ice.  Some people believe performance is
                noticably improved with a little interior fan, to move the
cold
                air around.

                Parts are pretty easy to find, but service is not -
Volkswagen
                dealers and RV repair places often won't touch it.  Doing
                the service yourself isn't too difficult, though.

                                                       -Steven Sittser