AIRSTREAM LAND YACHT GAS J-3
REFRIGERATOR (See warning at top of page J-1)
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 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.