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02-16-2020, 09:00 AM
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#21
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Rivet Master 
1969 18' Caravel
Greenville
, whereEverIroam
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,414
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I wouldn't go so far as to say the old coffee-can heaters are unsafe. However, since the basic design is an open propane-fed flame shielded only by a metal can behind a grate, (and I believe the older units, at least, lack any sort of auto-shut-off valve if the flame or pilot goes out) it is only marginally safer than using your stove top to heat the trailer, which is not recommended.
Safety is never absolute. You just have to be aware of the risks of any system and do your best to manage and mitigate them. Propane systems are inherently risky, prone to explosions if leaking gas builds up and exposed to a spark, or killing you in your sleep by carbon monoxide poisoning. On the other hand, hundreds or thousands of them have been produced and used over the decades with relatively few incidents, but not by the careless or ignorant.
I am not aware of any heating system that is full-proof and 100% safe. Even the Sun can hurt you if exposed too long. Snuggling with dogs and people can be bruising and awkward and unpleasant at times, but likely the safest method I am aware of to keep warm.
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02-16-2020, 01:54 PM
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#22
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1 Rivet Member 
1965 17' Caravel
Edisto Island
, South Carolina
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 15
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that was helpful
Thanks for taking the time to respond. There is no shut-off that I can see. I think other than replacing it, it is best to use it only when conscious and in the camper. Appreciate it.
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02-20-2020, 02:09 AM
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#23
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1 Rivet Member 
1969 18' Caravel
san francisco
, California
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 12
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Thanks Nic,
I just took the side panel off trying to investigate the cooling issue- apparently the heating element works on both LPG and 110v, and the tubes behind the unit feels cool to the touch, but the fridge never gets anywhere near freezing temperature. I think to clean or inspect the back requires removing the entire unit , which means the other panel (adjacent to bed) needs to be taken off too?
In the meantime, could you share the model number from the manual and where you bought the stainless steel front panel? Thanks!
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02-21-2020, 10:08 PM
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#24
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2 Rivet Member 
1969 18' Caravel
Vista
, California
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 39
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Dometic Refrigerator
Hi Dedelus,
I have a model MA 40c. I have attached pictures of the manual and all the refrigerators it covers; hope it will help. I did not have to take out the second panel; I unbolted the refrigerator from the frame below and probably lifted the shelf above the refrigerator up a little. It was a while ago but was simple. It took two people to lift / slide out the unit and out the door. I got the SS sheet at Home Depot or Lowes. It was a sheet from general stock, I had to cut it to size (shears) and then replaced the fake wood panel in the door. The door comes apart easily.
The manual covers MC16, M27, M28, MA35, MA40, M50, M52, MA52, MB52 and M70. I tried to attach pictures but have to figure that out. I have attached pictures to my account.
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02-21-2020, 10:25 PM
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#25
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2 Rivet Member 
1969 18' Caravel
Vista
, California
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 39
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Dometic Refrigerator
I'll take some pictures of the refrigerator tomorrow so you can see how the SS door looks. I've read some blogs about cleaning the vent / flu so the refrigerator works better. That can be done while you have the unit out. Your Carvel looks nice. There are three of us in San Diego County that have 69 caravels; I drilled down to all the 69 Caravels in California and then SD County.
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02-22-2020, 02:58 PM
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#26
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2 Rivet Member 
1969 18' Caravel
Vista
, California
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 39
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Dometic Refrigerator
Here
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02-22-2020, 03:05 PM
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#27
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2 Rivet Member 
1969 18' Caravel
Vista
, California
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 39
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69 Caravel Dometic Refrigerator
Hi Dedelus,
Here are some pictures of the Dometic with the SS Front. I was reading in the book and the panel is easy to replace; remove the door and then take off the bottom aluminum trim piece and slide out the old and in with the new. Here are some interior picture of mine.
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03-12-2020, 06:49 PM
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#28
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1 Rivet Member 
1969 18' Caravel
san francisco
, California
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 12
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Hi, after some effort I was able to take the dometic unit out by myself- I have clean the visible dust, what fridge still has trouble cooling. The heating element box on the right hand side feels hot to the touch, running on 110v. But no cooling is happening. Any tips what to check next?
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03-12-2020, 10:16 PM
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#29
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Rivet Master 
1969 18' Caravel
Greenville
, whereEverIroam
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,414
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here's a link to one of the better troubleshooting guides:
https://www.rvrefrigerator.net/Troubleshooting.htm
I suspect there may have been a leak of the coolant or a blockage in the coils.
Note that one of the signs of leaking coolant is a strong ammonia smell. However, if there was a leak some time ago with the previous owner, most of the ammonia may have already evaporated away unnoticed, and you may not be able to detect such a smell now.
Worst case would be a replacement or rebuild of the cooling unit. This site has a handy article on coil replacement here
http://www.airstreamcentral.com/arti...ess/Page1.html
The good news is that even ammonia absorption refrigerators are not all that complex, the number of things that could go wrong are finite. They are quite reliable and long lasting if undamaged and put together right.
One other advantage with your 1969: they lack an electronic control panel, which, while offering some nifty control options (and cool LED lights and buttons to press!), seem to be, in fact, the least reliable, most often broken component in the whole system.
Take a look at the replacement article. It might seem a bit daunting at first, but if you have successfully pulled out your fridge (all by yourself!) you probably have what it takes to tackle this project, and the sense of satisfaction you'll get by successfully fixing your fridge will be unbelievably deep and abiding.
It will also prepare you for another side of Airstream ownership besides the joy of camping, and that is the fun of always tinkering with it and making it better.
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03-12-2020, 10:31 PM
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#30
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Site Team

2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,701
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dedalus
Hi, after some effort I was able to take the dometic unit out by myself- I have clean the visible dust, what fridge still has trouble cooling. The heating element box on the right hand side feels hot to the touch, running on 110v. But no cooling is happening. Any tips what to check next?
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Perhaps it is time to "BURP" the fridge. It is worth a shot, costs nothing to do and might have positive results.
Burping thread:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f42...dge-33735.html
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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03-15-2020, 03:44 PM
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#31
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1 Rivet Member 
1969 18' Caravel
san francisco
, California
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 12
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Thanks Scott
I tried burping the unit (turn upside down for 24hours) to no avail. I guess I have to restore the cooling unit .. however I am having trouble finding equivalent part for the 1969 Dometic MA40c. The vendor RVCool you quoted does not support vintage dometic models apparently. Any pointes to modern equivalent parts that works with the 1969 model?
Thanks..
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03-16-2020, 08:43 PM
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#32
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Rivet Master 
1969 18' Caravel
Greenville
, whereEverIroam
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,414
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When burping the fridge, you are trying to work any bubbles up out of the coils, so you'll need to rotate the fridge 90 degrees at a time.
If this does not work, I would suspect the cooling unit itself. You can search to see if there are any RV refrigerator service or repair companies close to you. You can find refurbished RV cooling units for sale on ebay, but ones that will work in a vintage unit are harder to come by, especially the smaller fridges used in the Carvel.
Start calling around, if those you call can't do it, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Try to talk to those that do the actual work, i.e. someone who knows what they are talking about, idealy someone with some years of experience behind them and who have worked on appliances of your vintage and might know what current offerings would work.
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