Replacement options?

[pablow666]

Well it looks like the cooling unit on my fridge is toast. I've gone through all of the tests outlined in this thread and also had a propane technician check it out. They say $600 for the part "if it's available". I went to the Dometic web site and they have no replacement option for this model (87 Westy). Has anybody heard anything from GOWESTY on their plans for an aftermarket refrigerator? I chatted with them last fall and at that time they were doing R&D on a very nice sounding replacement. Does anybody have any other ideas for replacement options? What do folks normally do when their Westy fridge dies?

many thanks

[This message was edited by JohnB on September 07, 2002 at 12:47 PM.]

[frito]

The fridge replacement from Gowesty is listed on the web site for 499.00. I am not sure if it is shipping yet or not. It says available spring 2001.

[mojo]

you might try a used one?or maybe try a portable dual voltage refrigerator/freezer.

[pablow666]

I checked on the fridge at GoWesty. It appears to be a 1-way electric model? I sent them a note for clarification but have not heard back yet. I don't think 1-way would be too useful as I park for long periods of time and need to run the fridge off propane. I'll post a note when I find out more from GoWesty.

thanks!

[Capt. Mike]

The AC/DC GoWesty replacement fridge unit under development was described in detail on the PARTS forum, GoWesty thread last August!

[ 06-17-2001: Message edited by: Capt. Mike ]

[pablow666]

Thanks for pointing out how to find the GOWESTY fridge information. Perhaps that info should be consolidated here under the refrigerator topic for future users.

I am skeptical however of those claims in the parts topic. My aux battery (gel cell lead acid) is 65 amp hours. I could safely run it down to 15 amp hours at most before re-charging. The fridge would use up to 30 amp hours on a 10 hour warm night. If the following day isn't sunny for recharging then you are already in trouble. Also, what about all of the other loads being run off the AUX battery?? And there is no way I would run this thing for "2-3 days off the starter battery without charging". How can they say that? You really only want to draw the top 10% off the starter battery right? Too bad, I was hoping it was a propane model. It does sound like a good product for those that don't park for more than a day or two at a time.

I did find some cool pix of a Westy with a Norcold fridge installed: http://www.haywood-sullivan.com/vana...t1_detail.html

Still looking for other replacement ideas if anybody has them! I have letters out to Dometic and Norcold and will post their suggestions.

thanks

[pablow666]

Here's the info finally from Dometic:

"Sir, there is no fix for the cooling unit we would suggest replacing the
refrigerator the replacement model is rm4223 which is H21" W19 1/4" D21" we
do not have a exact fit this is the replacement model that will fit your cut
out dimensions. The retail cost is $556.00 does not include freight
,installation or tax cost."
http://www.dometic.com/products/rv/dometic/compact.html

This fridge is much deeper than the RM182b stock fridge. So it will stick out into the passenger compartment a good 8 inches!

[jpquick]

Ebay may be the answer. One such used westfalia fridge was listed app. 3months ago on ebay for about 250. try -search-automotive-westfalia

[Capt. Mike]

Transferred from another post to consolidate same topics.

12V fridge

mojo Member # 289 posted 07-22-2001 04:28 PM

I was wondering if anyone has purchased one of the 12V fridges from go westy? Just curious about fit and operation?.

[john.tracy]

I've recently adapted the GoWesty unit into the cabinet of my '76 Westy. It cost me some time and some change to make this conversion (I was guienie(sp) pigging this for Gary), but the unit performs very well. The unit would not use 30Amp/hr over 10 hours on a warm night as suggested elsewhere. I ran the unit when the temp. in my van was over 100F and the unit ran less than half the time. It is very efficient. It pulled the temp. in the fridge from 98F to 45F in a little over 2 hours. Try that with a propane unit.

I'm just getting ready to go on a month long trip and I'll be able to provide more real world data. I also have a 85W solar panel (it mounts though the wood rail on the side of the fiberglass top so there is nothing visible on the inside and the fiberglass isn't supporting it, the rails are) and the panel has a average (summer) daily output of 20-25Amp/hr. We'll see how much of this budget the fridge consumes. I also have a 105Amp/hr AGM battery under the back seat with a trace 600W invertor/ 25A charger. The battery should have enough capacity to carry over for a couple of cloudy days and is a true deep-cycle design. Anyway, I'll get back on-line with an update when I get back from my trip and let everyone whose interested know how things worked out