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bread geek
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 5:34 pm    Post subject: refrigerator Reply with quote

Does anyone know of a dometic refrigerator repair shop. the fridge in my westy only works on electric and battery.any ideas i would really like to get the propane working.thanks jeff
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[email protected]
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 5:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd say a good 10 of us that frequent this site have become "dometic" repairmen in the last few months, this has been a pretty popular topic. A little searchin of the forum will definity get you started as to what needs to be addressed. if you don't think you can handle removal cleaning etc.. Post where you are at, Maybe one of is is nearby??
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hecbom
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 7:41 am    Post subject: Re: refrigerator Reply with quote

Jeff

I had the same problem you did. I solved the problem by taking my compressor and blowing air into the tube that is below the fridge. This small tube is a drain that is connected to the burner section. When I did this, a large cloud of dirt blew out of the flu vent. I kept blowing air until nothing was comming out. To this day it lights up with no problems at all. Try it, it might work!

88 Vanagon
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Mulcheese
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 9:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It must be time to go camping. This subject has come up alot recently and and yes there are a few of us who have come quite familiar with the dometic. Here is my latest post on it:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=174386&highlight=

Recently the subject of insulation has come up. Since it now takes me about 10 min. to pull the fridge I might install some craft face insulation(it is rapped in plastic). If moisture does leak in it wont penetrate the insulation.

One other tid bit I forgot to mention is that when I lit my fridge I used a bulp off a blood pressure cuff to shoot air into the tube below the fridge. This is also what I used to test all the propane lines on the fridge. A bulb syringe would work great also and anyone can buy those at a pharmacy type store.
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washingtonwesty
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 10:32 am    Post subject: refrigerator starting and cleaning solved Reply with quote

I was messing with my fridge, trying to find a better way to start it on Propane...I noticed once it it hot it starts easy, two seconds on the button, then press the ignitor. So, to start it, i simply run it for a couple minutes on electric, then flip to propane. Simple! I never pump like a fool to get it going anymore. BTW, don't waste your money on gowesty's silly check valve, it doesn't allow enough flow to really help. The idea is to get some flow in the intake and out the exhaust - that's what the preheating with electric (AC or batt) does, hot air rises!
Also, Frank Candelli has a great write up on how to fix up the fridge, works great: http://www.frankcondelli.com/fridge.htm
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joseph928
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 11:24 am    Post subject: Re: refrigerator Reply with quote

hecbom wrote:
Jeff

I had the same problem you did. I solved the problem by taking my compressor and blowing air into the tube that is below the fridge. This small tube is a drain that is connected to the burner section. When I did this, a large cloud of dirt blew out of the flu vent. I kept blowing air until nothing was comming out. To this day it lights up with no problems at all. Try it, it might work!

88 Vanagon
Blue Bay Bus I had the same problem to , took it out looked at it , I give up on it, put it in the trash. Got a TF all is well in the world! Very Happy
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1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug.
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Westified
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:21 pm    Post subject: refrigerator Reply with quote

Has anyone looked at the new Engle Fridge installed where our Dometic is located. It might fit. it would be interesting if anyone has done it or looked into it. I think it consumes less energy than the TruckFridge.

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DAIZEE
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Forgive me for I am about to sin! Bread Geek, how the heck are you, last I heard you were on your way to Austin Texas to live. Are you back? Hope all is well.

Back on subject any dometic specialist who wants to come and give my Dometic a check up and a work up would certainly be welcome. I am so tired of coolers and melted ice. ggggrrrrr
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gl98115
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

DAIZEE wrote:
Forgive me for I am about to sin!


The orginal post was from 2006.
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DAIZEE
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 3:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Embarassed oh well my offer still stands Laughing
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84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)
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westyventures
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 8:37 pm    Post subject: Re: refrigerator Reply with quote

Westified wrote:
Has anyone looked at the new Engle Fridge installed where our Dometic is located. It might fit. it would be interesting if anyone has done it or looked into it. I think it consumes less energy than the TruckFridge.



Engel's cabinet-mount fridges are re-badged Norcolds (owned by Thetford). They use the swing compressor, which vibrates and and is noisier than the Danfoss compressor used in the Vitrifrigo and Truckfridge. I had one of their smaller units before my Vitrifrigo - worked fine but woke me up often with all the rattles and compressor racket. I have found the Vitrifrigo and Truckfridge storage space to more useful - the Dometic/Engel has a weird angled corner where the compressor takes space. http://www.thetford.com/HOME/Products/NorcoldRefri...fault.aspx
Note the current usage...the figures Engel quotes are averaged - the .8-amp end of the scale means .8 a/h on low setting. In real use it draws slightly more than the Vitrifrigo and Truckfridges I've tested.
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Westified
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:32 am    Post subject: Engel fridge Reply with quote

Karl, thanks for the reply. You are right, it looks just like the Norcold. I don't think it has a light inside either, the Truckfridge does. Which do you prefer, the Truckfridge or the Vitrifrigo?
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westyventures
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:40 am    Post subject: Re: Engel fridge Reply with quote

Westified wrote:
Karl, thanks for the reply. You are right, it looks just like the Norcold. I don't think it has a light inside either, the Truckfridge does. Which do you prefer, the Truckfridge or the Vitrifrigo?


My personal preference is the Vitrifrigo, because of the slightly nicer build quality.
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