Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-21-2004, 01:39 PM   #1
1 Rivet Member
 
bwdbrn1's Avatar
 
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 12
Images: 21
1958 Overlander Dometic

My wife and I recently cmae to be the owners of a beautiful 1958 Overlander. It was on a parcel of real estate we bought, and we were lucky enough to have it as part of the deal. The major appliances are original, and look as if they wil work with little or no problems. Our first question is about the refrigerator. It appears to operate on gas only. What sort of things should I inspect, and how do you operate it? Any help will be greatly appreciated. We've stayed in the Airstream it twice now and look forward to getting more and more use of it. Biggest problem is it's 500 miles away from us!
Thanks,
Bruce Woodburn
Rock Island, IL
bwdbrn1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2004, 02:09 PM   #2
Vintage Alum. Enthusiast
 
flyfshr's Avatar

 
1959 24' Tradewind
Phoenix , Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I currently do not own a 2nd Airstream
Posts: 4,360
Images: 40
Congratulations Bruce. If you have to purchase a parcel of land in order to get a vintage Airstream, then you have it bad . How do you know this is a '58 model? Sorry I can't help you with your fridge as mine was missing when I purchased the trailer. Someone here will be able to assist you.

FF
__________________
4CU 2699 / AIR 10 / TAC AZ-1

I'm haunted by aluminum.
Charter Member of the 4 Corners Unit.
flyfshr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2004, 03:43 PM   #3
1 Rivet Member
 
bwdbrn1's Avatar
 
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 12
Images: 21
Hi FF, yes, life is good. I'm going by what it says on the title, and seems like it's on the guarantee on the inside of the closet door.
bwdbrn1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2004, 03:44 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
Ken J's Avatar
 
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango , Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
Images: 14
Before operating any appliances, you should have the propane system checked to make sure there are no leaks. While a professional check is recommended, one way to see if you have any leaks is the light the stove, then shut off, turn off the valves at the bottles and wait 15min. You should be able to light the stove and it should burn for a little bit as it uses up the gas in the line. If you are unable to relight the stove, you have leaks.

To light the refrig (doing this from memory) there should be a burner underneath the frig that you light as you would any other gas appliance. Should be a thermostat inside the frig.

Ken
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
Ken J is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2004, 04:50 PM   #5
Vintage RV
 
1959 24' Tradewind
Atascadero , California
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 72
Images: 14
Send a message via Yahoo to plowboy
Congratulations Bruce, We have a '59 tradewind with the original dometic. Check underneath the fridge for a metal rod with a fork looking end. If you lucky it will still be there. The way it was explained to me by the p.o. was..
1) make sure everything is turned off (duh) then open the gas on one of your bottles.
2) light the gas on a couple of your burners on the stovetop to get the gas flowing
3) pour some white gas on the wick on the fork end of the gizmo you found under the fridge
4) turn on the gas valve under the fridge and slide the gizmo into the slot in the left rear of the fridge.
5) wait and repeat if it doesn't light the first time.
hints.. make sure you pour the gas onto the wick and not over it

If anyone knows of an easier way I'd sure like to know!
I have some diagrams with eploded views of the components if you're interested.
Paul
plowboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2004, 04:57 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Ken J's Avatar
 
1956 22' Flying Cloud
Durango , Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: 1975 25' Tradewind
Posts: 3,491
Images: 14
Wow - yet another kind of refrig - they must have had a dozen types of burners at that time. Mine was a ceramic piece that was the burner, just turn the gas on and light it.

Ken
__________________
1956 Flying Cloud
Founder :
Four Corners Unit
Albuquerque National Balloon Fiesta
Rally
Vintage Trailer Academy - Formerly the original
restoration rally
Ken J is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2004, 05:26 PM   #7
Vintage Alum. Enthusiast
 
flyfshr's Avatar

 
1959 24' Tradewind
Phoenix , Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I currently do not own a 2nd Airstream
Posts: 4,360
Images: 40
If that's the procedure to light the fridge them I'm glad mine was missing. Sounds dangerous.

FF
__________________
4CU 2699 / AIR 10 / TAC AZ-1

I'm haunted by aluminum.
Charter Member of the 4 Corners Unit.
flyfshr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2004, 06:02 PM   #8
1 Rivet Member
 
bwdbrn1's Avatar
 
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 12
Images: 21
Thanks guys...I remember there being some kind of thing on a rod laying on the floor underneath the fridge that I figured had something to do with lighting it. But I thought ours had a flint like edge to it. There was also a round knob, painted red in color, that must be the gas shut off. The first time I really looked at it was on New Years Eve, and it was 25* inside the AS...it's in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan...so between my shivers, I couldn't tell you much of what I was looking at. We're going back in a couple of weeks, so I'll take a flashlight along and take a hard look at it. With your help, I should be able to keep things pretty cool. Thanks again!
bwdbrn1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2004, 06:03 PM   #9
1 Rivet Member
 
bwdbrn1's Avatar
 
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 12
Images: 21
Quote:
Originally Posted by flyfshr
If that's the procedure to light the fridge them I'm glad mine was missing. Sounds dangerous.

FF
No kidding, must have been braver souls back in the 50's
bwdbrn1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2004, 07:11 AM   #10
1 Rivet Member
 
bwdbrn1's Avatar
 
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 12
Images: 21
Hi folks,
I used the method of lighting the refridgerator that Plowboy offered. It would take quite a while, but you could hear an audible click, then the gas would light. It never developed a very strong flame though, and would eventually go out. I'm guessing that the click I heard was that of the valve next to the burner as it heated up enoough to open, allowing tha gas to flow to the burner. Because the flame never got much larger than a pilot light, it wouldn't keep that valve hot enought to continue to stay open.

I took the burner unit to the RV center nearest where the AS is, about 50 miles away, and they looked at it as if they had never heard of such a thing. Their last words were, good luck.

I've had the suggestion of blowing some compressed air into things to possibly clear out any cob webs that may have been built in there. I'll listen to any other suggestions as well.

Thanks,
Bruce
bwdbrn1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2004, 08:14 AM   #11
Just a member
 
thenewkid64's Avatar
 
1978 28' Argosy 28
Lutz , Florida
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,549
Images: 21
Send a message via AIM to thenewkid64 Send a message via Yahoo to thenewkid64
Bruce,

before you go too much further in the diagnosis of the refer trouble, have you successfully lit other appliances in the coach? If you light the cook top, can you get all the burners going on high? Does the water heater light (if you have a gas one) and the main burner stay lit?

If not I would suspect the gas regulator before the valve in the refer. Also the compressed air can damage the fragile porcelain burner causing you to need a new refer since all the parts are NLA.

The refer requires 11 WC of pressure in order to work. This equates to less than 3 PSI. A local gas guy could test it and reset the current regulator, but if it is original equipment I would get a new one. The gas regulator will come factory set to 11 WC +- so that makes it a DIY repair.

Also, this is a dumb question, but where do you have the thermostat on the refer set when you are lighting it? It needs to be at least in the midpoint position to be sure that the thermostat calls for the burner to go to full pressure.
__________________
Brett G
WBCCI #5501 AIR # 49
-------------------------
1978 Argosy 28 foot Motorhome

Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. -- Plato


thenewkid64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2004, 10:46 AM   #12
Rivet Master
 
TomW's Avatar
 
1967 26' Overlander
Huntsville , Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,018
Images: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by bwdbrn1
...I've had the suggestion of blowing some compressed air into things to possibly clear out any cob webs that may have been built in there. I'll listen to any other suggestions as well.
This thread might offer additional insight.

Tom
TomW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2004, 10:47 AM   #13
1 Rivet Member
 
bwdbrn1's Avatar
 
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 12
Images: 21
thenewkid64,

Thanks for your reply. I'm guessing that the regulator you are talking about is the one at the tanks, and I'm pretty sure it's original.

Yes, all three burners and the oven work to full on. The stove was the first thing we tried after visually inspecting all that we could. Our next priority is to see if we can get the refrigerator up and cooling. Then having a furnace this winter when we visit would be nice.

The thermostat on the refrigerator was set at anywhere from the mid range to max as I tried it.

I have not tried the water heater, as there is no water in it, and no water supply available to fill it. I've turned the gas off to it, and disconnected the power supply as I don't want to get that far yet.

The picture to the left, and in our photo gallery, is of our AS. It is sitting in the UP of Michigan, some 500 miles away from where I live. Our best guess is that it's been sitting there since 1979, or so. It's just been part of the property it sits on for a long time, and the last owner didn't do anything with it, or in it, so is not able to answer any questions.

We're really new to the whole experience. Doing all of these things are something that I really have to plan for ahead of time, so all of the knowledge that everyone has passsed along is really appreciated. Our plan is to move the AS from it's present spot to a different place on the lot and use it while a home is being built. Then, time permitting, to tackle restoring it.

Bruce
bwdbrn1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2004, 10:32 AM   #14
1 Rivet Member
 
bwdbrn1's Avatar
 
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 12
Images: 21
Here's an update on what the old Dometic does. We just want to know if this all sounds right to those who are more experienced at these things.
I had taken the burner assembly off and brought it home with me after our last visit to the AS. At home, I took the gas jet off from the rest of the assembly, and noticed that I could not really see any daylight shinning through it. I shot a little carb cleaner on it and that opened it up. Then I found I was able to blow air through it more easily than I could before.
When we were able to get back to the AS, I reassembled everything according to a parts diagram we had been given from an RV dealer. That diagram showed that little metal tab that sits somewhere above the flame to transmit heat to the safety valve to keep it open, bent upwards. The burner lit nicely, but made a whistling sound. I adjusted the barrel around the outside of the burner until that whistle stopped, and the flame burned steady.
Everything seemed to be working fine, but after the temperature had settled inside the refrigerator, and the flame was regulated back by the thermostat, it went out. After this happend a few times, I bent that little tab thing over so that it was above the flame more. Having done that, the refrigerator worked fine and remained lit for better than 24 hours, until unfortunately, we had to go home.
So, does this all sound right to you guys?
bwdbrn1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2004, 11:13 AM   #15
New Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3
Sounds like you have it running just right. I recently went throught he same processes with a 1960 model, so I feel your pain (and the glory of sucess that often follows the pain). One thing to be sure of is that the fridge is level when operating it while parked. Failure to do so can result in permanantly damaging your old fridge. They define level as having the bottom of the freezer compartment in the level position. So carry a little level, and check it before you light it.
friel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2004, 01:04 PM   #16
1 Rivet Member
 
bwdbrn1's Avatar
 
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 12
Images: 21
friel,
Thanks for your response. Yes, it sure does feel good when something goes right! Even better in this case because now I can put ice cubes in my drink that's already cold. Life is good!
Bruce
bwdbrn1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
1958, 1958 overlander


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Two Door Dometic Refrigerators Models, Parts, Data jaco Refrigerators 10 07-25-2009 04:12 PM
Dometic Fridge door. Antique Pedaler Refrigerators 3 08-04-2008 11:32 PM
1958 Airstream Overlander caribbeanbum 1954 - 1959 Overlander 5 02-14-2005 11:19 AM
Dometic RM100 TGB96 Refrigerators 9 08-30-2004 12:38 PM
1958 Airstream Overlander caribbeanbum 1954 - 1959 Overlander 0 12-08-2002 09:30 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:26 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.