1974/75 westfalia refrigerator question

[vwbug14]

This is my fridge. Just bought it and trying to install.

Is this only DC power?

I installed a converter, 110v to 12v DV to the outlets behind passenger seat.

Don’t think it’s working.

Can I supply 110v to it?
What is the symbol to the far right of the wiring diagram?

Please help
Mike

[vwbug14]

So I learned something new. The fridge will work on 12v from the battery while in the 12v position. The heater core has 4 wires going into it, 2-12v wires from the switch and 2-110v wires from the switch. The converter is gone and the wires are spliced for the 110v wires. I installed a converter from a 78 westy so the outlet is is 12v.

Can one side of the coil be dead from PO plugging it directly into 110v?


Can I replace it? Or should I just splice the two heater core wires? Can they be wired backwards?

Thanks
Mike

[busdaddy]

The way I read that diagram the device on the right is a transformer, the square in the top middle is the selector switch, and the rectangle in the bottom middle is the thermostat. As I recall the 12v side had no thermostat action, temp was only regulated on 110v. Since the lable says it's only 12v the 110v was disabled by Dometic before shipment to Westfalia, likely to comply with the rules for camper equipment in a particular delivery location. I don't see a CSA symbol but I do see a UL one so USA market perhaps?

Test both heater elements with an Ohm meter, sometimes the way the selector switch was wired also disabled one of the voltage options.
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[vwbug14]

So at first I thought that was a transformer or converter symbol on the far right but no I wonder if that is the heater core element. Why would DC go though a converter?

Previous owner said he hooked it up to 110 in garage. I don’t want to kill it or start a fire


What would I expect forms ohms if I measure them?
Mike

[busdaddy]

Woops, yep, you are correct, supply comes from the left side of the picture.
The thermostat still only controls the 110v side.
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[vwbug14]

If you look at the pic the heater core wires are different size?? Could this be a 110 or 12v fridge?

The label appears to have 60 hz too????

Will I damage the fridge if I try 110v

Mike

[busdaddy]

[vwbug14]

Okay, I removed the converter and went direct to 110v.

It’s heating up and cooling inside.

No smoke or fire yet.

Looks like it can run on both 12v and 110v.

Time to do some rewiring, undo what I did and go direct to outlet behind pass seat.

Thanks.

Mike

[busdaddy]

Cool! see what I did there?
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[volkybus]

Thanks guys. My 76 only works on 110v & only when hooked to outside power.. now I know more. Bill hi

[ol'westy]

Hello VWBUG14,
I have a similar fridge in my 74 westy. Mine has the 110/12v converter, but it also has 2 of the 4 the white cloth wrapped wires from the DC/AC switch to the heater element cut and joined to the other two wires with tap splices. Does yours have the same "modification", i.e. 4 wires go to 2?

I'd like to get my 110 side working again. but am afraid I might burn out the element by trying.

[schmidder]

Hey Guys, jumping in here on this topic, as I just got a 74 Campmobile Westy.

Looking behind the fridge, I see the plug behind the passenger seat. The only thing plugged into it is a power strip that is mounted on the outside of the fridge, over by the sliding door. I do not see a 110v cord to plug into the outlet?

I would assume the 12v is hard wired to the battery and the 110v power has to come from that plug when connected to shore power.

Any help would be appreciated. PO passed away, so i cannot ask any questions for troubleshooting.

Erik
_________________
Erik Schmid
Red Bus Brewing Co
Folsom, CA
916-802-4801
[email protected]

[busdaddy]

Westfalia didn't put the power strip there so someone's been messing with it, any sign of a transformer in there? Some used 12V from 2 different sources (batt or trans), others used 2 heaters of different voltages (12/110). Sounds like you'll have to dig it out and see how it's wired.
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