TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1970 Dormobile Oslo with Electrolux Refrigerator

Thu Aug 13, 2020 1:17 am

Hey guys I am trying to figure out how and if I can get this fridge to work. It’s something that I know nothing about and any kind of documentation has been very difficult to find online.

I have an Electrolux refrigerator model RA10a. From what I have found online and based on the door tag it looks like it runs on 12 volt power. I am not sure if it also runs on gas.

There are 3 “buttons or knobs” on the side. The first one (top one) has a bulb in it. Possibly a pilot light indicator? I have no clue.

The second could be maybe a temperature adjustment as it clicks from left to right.

The third button on mine I think is broken (I attached another photo of one I found here - it’s the green bus) maybe it’s a igniter or something??

A lot of the things I am saying are based on an assumption that somehow it uses gas like the gas heater in the back.

I would like to get it up and going if it’s possible, does anyone have any experience with these and either has a working one or has seen a working one and understands how they work.

Thu Aug 13, 2020 4:24 am

when you say runs on "gas" you mean the same "gas" you put in yout fuel tank to drive the bus? I don't know of any fridges that did that . only ran on "gas" that you put in your small tank under your slider, if you have that. LP gas.

doing some reading online,, yes, it runs on lp gas and 12volt. be careful!

Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:26 am

alman72 wrote: when you say runs on "gas" you mean the same "gas" you put in yout fuel tank to drive the bus? I don't know of any fridges that did that . only ran on "gas" that you put in your small tank under your slider, if you have that. LP gas.

doing some reading online,, yes, it runs on lp gas and 12volt. be careful!

I have no clue about these.

I would love to read more about how these work. The problem is I cannot find any information :(

Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:59 am

I don't think that one runs on LP gas, there's no mention of it on the data plate and I don't see the exhaust vent on the door post.
The lower thing on the switch panel looks like a circuit breaker, I'm guessing the middle one is a switch and the upper one looks like a light. Does your bus have 2 batteries?, 85 watts will kill your starting battery in a very short time if the bus isn't running, it's likely only to be used while driving (hence the light so you don't forget to turn it off).
Below is what the exhaust looks like if it uses LP gas.

Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:02 am

busdaddy wrote: I don't think that one runs on LP gas, there's no mention of it on the data plate and I don't see the exhaust vent on the door post.
The lower thing on the switch panel looks like a circuit breaker, I'm guessing the middle one is a switch and the upper one looks like a light. Does your bus have 2 batteries?, 85 watts will kill your starting battery in a very short time if the bus isn't running, it's likely only to be used while driving (hence the light so you don't forget to turn it off).
Below is what the exhaust looks like if it uses LP gas.

Ahhh uncovering the mysteries of this bus lol

Thats great info. I do think that there was a second battery under the seat in the back, theres a wire thats named relay for second battery (duh lol) so maybe it just runs on electrical?

Either way that information is helpful, thanks!

Sat Aug 15, 2020 1:56 pm

Yes, your Electrolux RA 10a is a 12/110V electric / ammonia cycle refrigerator and can run off 12V battery under the rear seat or shore power; there is a 110 to 12V transformer in the back of the fridge cabinet... Top light meaning it is on, second button is shore/Battery power; 110V only works if power cord connected... pull switch out and it runs on the battery under the seat :0)

Electrolux RA 10a switch and pictures, you could easily hot wire it with 12V to the heating element to see if it works, make sure you test and run it for a while outdoors as if an ammonia leak develops it is deadly…

The 85W heating element failure is typically is what stops them from working… I bought a spare unit to take apart...

Sat Aug 15, 2020 2:48 pm

Lionhart94010 wrote: Yes, your Electrolux RA 10a is a 12/110V electric / ammonia cycle refrigerator and can run off 12V battery under the rear seat or shore power; there is a 110 to 12V transformer in the back of the fridge cabinet... Top light meaning it is on, second button is shore/Battery power; 110V only works if power cord connected... pull switch out and it runs on the battery under the seat :0)

Electrolux RA 10a switch and pictures, you could easily hot wire it with 12V to the heating element to see if it works, make sure you test and run it for a while outdoors as if an ammonia leak develops it is deadly…

The 85W heating element failure is typically is what stops them from working… I bought a spare unit to take apart...

Wow! I was starting to lose hope lol. Thank you so much for this information.

I already see one issue, the fuse is not in my second switch. Can you tell me what amp that fuse is?

I am wondering if the previous owner removed it intentionally so that it would not turn on.

As you can probably see from my photos, the button that you identify as the push / pull switch to select battery under the seat is broken. I can't push or pull that button.

Do you know if they are replaceable? Would you be willing to sell the extra button you have (assuming you have an extra one)? or know where I might find one?

If not, would you be able to take it out and show me what it is?

If I am understanding this correctly - here is what you have told me....

The top "button" is just an indicator light that tells you whether it's on or off.

The second "button" that turns is a selector and you can select between shore power (plug on the side of the bus) or battery power

The 3rd button is a push / pull switch that selects between second battery and or shore? seems kinda redundant?

the order of buttons on mine is slightly different from yours so I am referring to the order on my bus.

I am so excited and grateful for this information. It will help me to get this moving in some direction lol

Sun Aug 16, 2020 3:50 pm

Decided to pull the fridge and stove unit to see whats going on behind it and see what kind of condition its in, to my surprise its dang near immaculate, dirty but in great condition...

The fridge unit is also in great condition as well

Cleaned the dust off the fridge

Cleaned the floors too - look at those original floors!

Also found this, not sure what it is yet, about to Google it

Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:35 pm

Maybe a remote for a dog shock collar?

Nice looking bus, is that hole in the floor for a LPG storage cabinet to the left of the fridge?

Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:45 pm

busdaddy wrote: Maybe a remote for a dog shock collar?

Nice looking bus, is that hole in the floor for a LPG storage cabinet to the left of the fridge?

I saw the hole and I was like what the heck is that for but yes, its in the bottom of the cabinet that holds the water tank and the propane tank, maybe for ventilation?

The smaller round hole is for the water outlet from the sink

Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:49 pm

westcalia wrote: busdaddy wrote: Maybe a remote for a dog shock collar?

Nice looking bus, is that hole in the floor for a LPG storage cabinet to the left of the fridge?

I saw the hole and I was like what the heck is that for but yes, its in the bottom of the cabinet that holds the water tank and the propane tank, maybe for ventilation?

The smaller round hole is for the water outlet from the sink
Yes, European models could store gas cylinders inside, but they had to have a gravity vent in the event of a leak, I've seen the ones near the rocker on later models, but that's the first middle of the bus one I've seen. In North America propane was not to be trusted and had to be stored under the bus (outside) in a custom tank, different rules for different places.

Sun Aug 16, 2020 4:53 pm

busdaddy wrote: Maybe a remote for a dog shock collar?

Nice looking bus, is that hole in the floor for a LPG storage cabinet to the left of the fridge?

Nailed it.

Sun Aug 16, 2020 5:06 pm

busdaddy wrote: westcalia wrote: busdaddy wrote: Maybe a remote for a dog shock collar?

Nice looking bus, is that hole in the floor for a LPG storage cabinet to the left of the fridge?

I saw the hole and I was like what the heck is that for but yes, its in the bottom of the cabinet that holds the water tank and the propane tank, maybe for ventilation?

The smaller round hole is for the water outlet from the sink
Yes, European models could store gas cylinders inside, but they had to have a gravity vent in the event of a leak, I've seen the ones near the rocker on later models, but that's the first middle of the bus one I've seen. In North America propane was not to be trusted and had to be stored under the bus (outside) in a custom tank, different rules for different places.

Makes sense.

When I ran the M Code plate I was pleasantly surprised. Delivered to a wholesale dealer in Germany via Frankfurt am Main

Theres also a sticker under the dash that says "The next brake fluid change is due on" from the Glockler dealership

The history I received on the bus seems accurate - a European model

Sun Aug 16, 2020 5:46 pm

westcalia wrote: The history I received on the bus seems accurate - a European model
Oh without a doubt a Euro model, that floorplan wasn't even an option on buses delivered here, very cool! And a bonus that it's somewhat solid and hasn't been F'd with much, think carefully about your rehab plans, that one's kind of special. 8)

Sun Aug 16, 2020 5:50 pm

busdaddy wrote: westcalia wrote: The history I received on the bus seems accurate - a European model
Oh without a doubt a Euro model, that floorplan wasn't even an option on buses delivered here, very cool! And a bonus that it's somewhat solid and hasn't been F'd with much, think carefully about your rehab plans, that one's kind of special. 8)

I agree and I definitely lean toward stock / classic configurations, would never paint anything a non vw color code, and try to keep them as original as possible.

The previous owner had installed some 15 inch rims with some BF Goodrich tires on it for a more aggressive look. I purchased a set of original 14's and I am having them powder coated tomorrow and then 8 ply tires going on Tuesday.

I really want to get this refrigerator working and based on the condition that its in, I am gonna assume its not gonna be hard to do (I hope lol)

oh and she's still sporting all of her original paint

Sun Aug 16, 2020 6:19 pm

Sweet!, wait till Notchboy finds this thread, he'll geek out on it as well.... :D

The fridge may be reluctant to work right away, if it doesn't start to cool in a few hours turn it upside down for a few days (unplugged), sometimes the mojo in the pipes needs to settle back into where it does it's magic. (I'm not sure what happens in there, but inverting them often restores the function, go figure...). Tapping on the coiled pipes now and then also helps to break loose the crystals that form from old age.

Sun Aug 16, 2020 6:30 pm

busdaddy wrote: Sweet!, wait till Notchboy finds this thread, he'll geek out on it as well.... :D

The fridge may be reluctant to work right away, if it doesn't start to cool in a few hours turn it upside down for a few days (unplugged), sometimes the mojo in the pipes needs to settle back into where it does it's magic. (I'm not sure what happens in there, but inverting them often restores the function, go figure...). Tapping on the coiled pipes now and then also helps to break loose the crystals that form from old age.

Ha! Thanks for the tips!

Funny you should say that - he already knows about it. I contacted him when I got and he’s gonna help me get the original heater going that’s in the back 😎

Sun Aug 16, 2020 7:20 pm

I have one just like that (the fridge and cabinet), it has tall narrow LP bottle that fits that space.
Is yours wired for 220 volts?

Sun Aug 16, 2020 10:02 pm

jakokombi wrote: I have one just like that (the fridge and cabinet), it has tall narrow LP bottle that fits that space.
Is yours wired for 220 volts?

I dont wanna sound like an idiot but I dont know much about electricity so I will defer to what Lionheart said in an earlier post....

"your Electrolux RA 10a is a 12/110V electric / ammonia cycle refrigerator and can run off 12V battery under the rear seat or shore power; there is a 110 to 12V transformer in the back of the fridge cabinet"

Are you looking to sell the propane tank? if so, ill buy it

or if you are selling any other parts or maybe even the entire unit lol, just let me know

Mon Aug 17, 2020 7:27 am

your fridge wont run on it....only shore power or battery