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chazz79
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Joined: August 15, 2008
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Location: ohio
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 Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:30 pm Post subject: 74-75 dometic fridge questions |
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This is the style of fridge that has the propane stove above it. Most of the info I've found by searching is about the later model westy fridges. I haven't pulled it yet but does it run off propane? It's hooked into the 110v system so I know it runs on land power but does anyone know how it runs while mobile.
This is the fridge I'm talking about^^^^^^^^^^^^
It appears to be self contained but this bus pretty much laying on the ground so I can't see how it's hooked up by looking under it.
If anyone's got pros and cons of this thing I'd like to hear them.
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Mal evolent
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Joined: March 31, 2009
Posts: 2912
Location: San Antonio, Nuevo Mexico
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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running propane while mobile is Darwin Dumb.
among other things,
pilot light
gas pumps
fumes
not me.
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busdaddy
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Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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chazz79
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Joined: August 15, 2008
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Location: ohio
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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Mal evolent?
What were you going for there?
If you're in the forums for a post count please find a purpose in life.
My post says I don't even know if it runs on propane. I am completely ignorant to how these run. Rv's everywhere have propane fridges that run on it while in transit. It's an accepted practice.
Find a way to be useful in life or find yourself a bullet.
Thanks Bus daddy! Helpful as always.
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patayres
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Joined: March 20, 2009
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Location: Bend, Orygun
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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| does anyone know how it runs while mobile. |
Off the auxillary battery (as Busdaddy mentioned... 12v). Make sure your relay works or you'll run the aux batt dead quickly. This control panel is on the closet wall:
There is a fridge on/off switch on the left and a shore power/aux battery switch on the right. This latter switch allows you to select the source of electricity for the fridge. The 110v shore power is converted to 12v by the converter box under the bench seat before being sent to the fridge (or to the aux battery if charging function is operated on the above panel).
| Quote: |
| It appears to be self contained but this bus pretty much laying on the ground so I can't see how it's hooked up by looking under it. |
Nothing to see from underneath the bus. The only line to the fridge is the electrical wire that runs the length of the driver side wall and over to the fridge.
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| If anyone's got pros and cons of this thing I'd like to hear them. |
It draws a lot of amperage and gets moderately cool. If I was looking for a fridge for a non-74/75 Westfalia this wouldn't be it. There are better modern options. But I use the one in my '75 and it gets the job done.
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1975 Westfalia Helsinki - 1800 EFI w/ Pertronix
1965 Singlecab - 1600dp
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hazetguy
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Joined: April 06, 2001
Posts: 10773
Location: iT StiNgeD iTseLf tO dEAd
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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| patayres wrote: |
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| does anyone know how it runs while mobile. |
Make sure your relay works or you'll run the aux batt dead quickly. This control panel is on the closet wall............
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74 (and maybe 75) does not have that.
Last edited by hazetguy on Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:06 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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patayres
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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My '75 does as do other '75 Westfalias I've seen. Not sure about '74, though...
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1965 Singlecab - 1600dp
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patayres
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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My '75 fridge also doesn't have the panel on it shown in the manual above...
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1965 Singlecab - 1600dp
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patayres
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| Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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From the 1975 Campmobile Owner's Manual:
It appears that the '74 fridge has the control panel on the aisle side of the fridge rather than the control panel I was referring to. Sorry for the confusion.
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1965 Singlecab - 1600dp
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chazz79
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Joined: August 15, 2008
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Location: ohio
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| Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 4:46 am Post subject: |
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my bus has the panel hazetguy was showing. This donor bus I got is awesome inside and everything is pretty origional. I even have the origional land extension cord with alot of other neat crap.
I'll have a seriously upgraded electrical system to make this thing work it's best (85 amp alt). Does anyone think it'll be able to keep my beer @40 degrees when it's 90 out? If they're capable of doing the job-great, if it's just another waste of time novelty like the older style iceboxes then I don't want to drill any holes in my new floor for it.
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patayres
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Location: Bend, Orygun
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| Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:11 am Post subject: |
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These old dometic fridges are ammonia-based absorption systems http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absorption_refrigerator
They draw 2.5 amps IIRC and will last about 4 hours on a fully charged aux battery. They pull all their power from the aux battery even when running, so all your 85 amp alt is going to do is charge your aux battery. It won't make things colder. Depending on the state of yours, it may get temps down to 40 degrees - but I would wager probably not. Easy to test, though.
BTW, if you decide not to use yours, I'm looking for a nice/un-pitted metal stovetop. PM me if interested.
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1965 Singlecab - 1600dp
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