Operation - Airstream INTERNATIONAL TRAILER Owner's Manual

AIRSTREAM INTERNATIONAL TRAILER OWNERS MANUAL
REFRIGERATOR
Manufacturer:
Dometic Sales Corporation 2320
Industrial Parkway P.O. Box 490
Elkhart, Indiana 46514
Phone: 219-295-5228
Review all Dometic Literature supplied in your Owner's Packet or stored in the refrigerator prior to
operating.
In an absorption refrigerant system ammonia is liquefied in the finned condenser coil at the top rear of the
refrigerator. The liquid ammonia then flows into the evaporator (inside the freezer section) and is exposed
to a circulating flow of hydrogen gas, which causes the ammonia to evaporate, creating a cold condition in
the freezer.
The tubing in the evaporator section is specifically sloped to provide a continuous movement of liquid
ammonia, flowing downward by gravity, through this section. If the refrigerator is operated out-of-level
when the vehicle is not moving, liquid ammonia will accumulate in portions of the evaporator tubing. This
will slow the circulation of hydrogen and ammonia gas, or in severe cases, completely block it, resulting in
a loss of cooling.
Any time the vehicle is parked for several hours with the refrigerator operating the vehicle should be
leveled to prevent this loss of cooling. The vehicle needs to be leveled only so it is comfortable to live in
(no noticeable sloping of floor or walls).
When the vehicle is moving the leveling is not critical, as the rolling and pitching movement of the vehicle
will pass to either side of level, keeping the liquid ammonia from accumulating in the evaporator tubing.

OPERATION

The refrigerator requires 12-volt current to operate its electronic board even if running on LP or 110-volt
modes. The 12-volt is used to power the circuit board that directs the refrigerator functions. When running
in a mode such as LP, it means the heat source, by far the largest power requirement; to evaporate the
ammonia is being provided by an LP Gas burner.
H-4