We are replaceing our Dometic 1492 and Rockey's sister would like to use it at her cabin in northern Idaho. The cabin is off the electric grid.
Can it be made to work on propane without 12 Vdc?
You will need 12VDC for the control power.
Correct. On a cabin, probably install a battery and solar panel. It doesn't take many amp hrs to run the refrigerator on propane. The PC board, ignitor and gas valve are all 12 VDC.
Brett
On the topic, Dometic is a big supplier to Amish communities, for propane refrigeration. We have seen them at Lehman's in Holmes County Ohio. They are different but similar to RV fridges.
http://www.lehmans.com/c-181-gas-refrigerators-and-freezers.aspx (http://www.lehmans.com/c-181-gas-refrigerators-and-freezers.aspx)
With the electric option this looks like a good replacement when the time comes.
https://www.lehmans.com/p-3678-dometic-gas-refrigerators.aspx (https://www.lehmans.com/p-3678-dometic-gas-refrigerators.aspx)