Camper75
Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2013
Photos: 8
Location: Central Ontario
|
| 1992 Eurovan California Westfalia fridge mod |
Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2025 4:01 pm Views: 4
Rating: Not rated
|
|
I was having a bunch of fridge issues with my 1992 eurovan. After a bunch of research I realized it could cost $1000+ to repair, and I'd be still stuck with a temperamental old fridge. I tried a new idea. I purchased a BODEGACOOLER 12 Volt compressor style cooler for about $300. I ripped the cooler apart without damaging any of the refrigerant components. I removed the eurovan compressor and condenser and controller, saving as much of the copper piping as i could (cut as close to the compressor and condenser as I could.) On the BODEGACOOLER I cut off the evaporator piping leaving as much copper line as I could (cut the copper lines just before the transition to aluminum lines.) I carefully twisted and pulled the aluminum piping out of the ecomomizer coil, sliding the coil onto the same line just onto the copper section of it closer to the compressor.) I soldered the 1/4" copper evaporator vapor line (out) on the eurovan to the copper 1/4" line to the compressor in, adding a couple of feet of 1/4" copper refrigerant line so I could work on everythingon the floor of the van. I cut the copper line from the condenser to the evaporate where it was 1/4" on both the van and the cooler (keeping both tiny copper lines and both moisture collectors attached to the half i was keeping.) This just means I have two moisture collectors in the system. I also have two capillary tubes (small copper lines,) in the system, but it seem to work fine with both. Because Idid this I could solder the lines in between the two at the 1/4" copper lines attached to the capillary tubes. I also soldered a refrigerant fill valve to the compressor, as the cooler just had the fill line pinched off and sealed. I attached the new compressor temperature sensing unit to the vapor line midway between the evaporator and compressor, (aluminum foil taped to the line under the tube insulation.)
I pulled a vacuum on the system for about 45min. Then filled the system with a small amount of R134a. Tested it, insulated the lines, and then tucked it in |
|
