Poll - Does your Dometic Fridge work on propane?

[randywebb]

Just propane, not asking re AC or DC.
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[Timwhy]

Had my fridge running on propane for 8 days while camping and it cooled down nicely in the high 80 degree weather
we had. The fins frosted up nice and made me wish I had the little ice cube trays to put in there.
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'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS


http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary

http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee

[SCM]

It used to work quite nicely on propane but then it stopped lighting. I haven't bothered trying to fix it because it's too small to hold all of the food we take camping. It does duty as a liquor cabinet/pantry right now and we'll probably yank it.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[kamzcab86]

Mine fires up first time, every time* and runs until I shut it off. It struggles in high temps, but a 60° Sunkist is quite refreshing when it's 110° outside.




*Only times it hasn't: Regulator issue; not opening tank valve all the way; not purging system after new tank was installed (after a few attempts it finally lit and stayed lit).
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1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[BitterBeerFace]

Voted yes.

Need to find a relay before I can actually use it, though...
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1980 Full Camper, been in the family since it was brand new!
1989 Full Camper, great-great-aunt's since brand new!

[zippyslug31]

A little bit surprised by the need for a poll... and not particularly surprised by the results.
OP - I assume yours isn't working on gas?

FWIW, for those with running fridges ("better go catch it!". Sorry, just reminiscing about my prank phone calls ) somebody offered a little tip that I've been using and it does seem to work - don't turn the fridge to the coldest setting. I turn mine to around 80-90% of "full cold" and for some reason it seems to cool things down more. I'm guessing that over the years this dial is getting a bit crusty being left in the coldest setting and it might not be closing some circuit completely? Not sure, but it does seem to help with my fridge. YMMV
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previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor.

[Nimbus'87]

Lights up, stays lit.
Wish it was a little colder. But nice not to rely upon elec. full time. Maybe someday when I can spend $$ on solar we'll move up to a real frig.
Scott
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'87 Wolfram Grey Westy. '92 2.2 Subie, KEP/Calif. Reg.

[RBEmerson]

[Tobias Duncan]

The dometic in my 88 works beautifully. The one in my 90 worked until last week. Odd problem, works fine on 110 and propane lights easily and stays lit. Just does not seem to cool.

[1621]

Works great, and kept it running for nearly the entire month of July. Like others, I wish it kept a bit colder when the temps are high, but Otherwise very reliable.
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'85 Westy

[raoul mitgong]

After 5 years just figured out that I can light it easier if I don't turn it to max cool, best about 12 o'clock. Don't know if this is an altitude issue or just my van. Even with the gowesty check valve and typical clean out, drill out and upside down maintenance, hard to light full on.
-Darren

[HENDO]

No, but it may be able to. I am not sure. I set up my stove to run off the little green bottles and i don't use the fridge.
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84 Westy AKA "Sludge"

[DLJ]

Mine always works on any setting. I drive with fridge operating on propane.
Get better cooling results if you keep a small amount of ice, or bottle of frozen water inside. Cooling will be better if your van is reasonably level.
Always lights and stays lit.
BitterBeerFace, relay?? No.

[911pickup]

I run mine on propane, but it can be temperamental to start. Unfortunately, my fan is making a racket, so I'll have to pull the fridge this winter to replace it.

[dixoncj]

Mine worked before I pulled it out and replaced it with a Truckfridge TR-49 - tho the cooling fan was absolutely fried. Somehow, when I plugged in the Truckfridge into the existing Dometic electric wiring, the 'frost' led on the panel comes on when my fridge compressor is running. Pretty cool unexpected feature.
I pulled my Dometic because the propane bomb equation scared me. Run my stove now on 1lb tanks. So nice to leave for work, turn on my Truckfridge as I leave, put in my lunch and have it be cold almost immediately.
Best two upgrades I've done to my van. Driving with two kids and a completely empty propane tank gives a strong measure of stress relief.

[randywebb]

interesting that over 80% of the people posting here have no problems running on propane, yet there a dozens of threads on replacing the Dometic, fixing the propane operation, etc. etc.
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[Ahwahnee]

I once ran mine continuously for a year, only shutting it down long enough to refill the propane every couple of weeks. Can't imagine travel w/o it.

[kgeil]

I've had 2 Westies with the propane fridge, and both have started with 1 click, after more than 20 years without any maintenance. My current one, however, won't stay lit on 65 mph highway driving. Any tips there (other than to slow down)?

The fact that my fridge works so well makes me hesitant to remove all the cabinetry to get rid of that fiberglass everyone bitches about, but, living in the Northeast, I know I should get around to it...

[msinabottle]

Despite looking for pinholes in the vent and chimney hoses, and servicing the burner box, I've never been able to KEEP Winston's fridge running on propane while driving at any speed. Always blows out. That's my one complaint, it does light pretty well... MORE easily if I suck air OUT of the drain tube, not pump air into it. At rest, and lit, it stays lit.

Altitude? I don't know.

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."

[Kombi]

feedback from an 85 Westy-

I borrowed this one from my brother and the fridge works on propane. It kept food cool for the 3 days we camped.

He said it was temperamental- If on uneven ground or on a slope he suggested it would not run.

We leveled off once parked and had no issue.
It stayed lit despite rain and wind at altitude of about 4400ft



---sidebar
I never found the fridge to get all that cold- and it is a bit on the small side
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Air and Water are needed to survive,
you just can't live as long without air!

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