Member - Troll 81 (QLD) replied:

I used to have one of these and it served me really well for the 3 years I had it but I would never go back to a three way. In my opinion they are only good if you are going to stay in one spot for more than 2-3 days and you don’t have a dual battery system with a compressor type fridge/freezer

They are hopeless on 12v even with upgraded wiring.
They are very good on gas and my beers used to freeze in the fridge side.
They take some time to cool down.
I would not run it on gas inside the car unless you have enough space around it and plenty of ventilation. The sucker puts out a fair bit of heat and it will burn things if they accidently end up over the little exhaust vent pipe.
The fridge itself is pretty heavy as well and once you get to your destination you have to move the fully packed fridge from the car to its new location to run it on gas.

Member - Phil G (SA) replied:

I know of 2 vehicles that went boom in the back because someone was running a gas fridge in the back. One happened half way across the Simpson. Small gas leak + flame is not a good combo, so yes you must lift it out to run on gas. And make sure its level.

They draw a heap of power on DC - I'd expect at least 10amps continuous - would flatten a good battery overnight, whether that's 12 or 24 volts.

Paps replied:

I have had a 50 ltr Chescold three way fridge for twenty years. I run it on electricity while the car is running and gas when it is stationary. I never take it out of the car, but they do need ventilation. I'm sure the Electrolux uprights in vans run on gas and have vents in the wall to breath. Having said that I am in the market for an update which will in all probability be a compressor fridge on solar. Scott

Gazal Champion replied:

Hi Evosheas,

Apparently it is illegal to run a anything in a caravan on gas while you are driving. I assume then that the same would apply to inside a car.

Neighbours son is a cop and he said that when they pull a van over the first thing he checks is to see if the gas is turned on!

Out comes the book if it is.

regards,
Gazal

kiwicol replied:

Totally agree with Troll, take the time to look at a Danfoss compressor fridge, 12- 240 volt, but also look at the insulation on the brand as this affects how long your batteries will last running these fridges. col

ozwasp replied:

Hi

Three way fridges are good, but as mentioned can be a health hazard and fire risk if in operation in a vehicle.

I've got both a Chescold and an Engel, but if I had to chose one to keep, it would be the Engel. While the Chescolds have the convience of gas operation, Engels draw very little power during operation - so you can run them for a couple of days without flattening your battery.

I'd only really recommend 3 way fridges if you are set up in an unpowered camp for more than 1 week, or if you can get a 2nd hand 3 way dirt cheap (less than $200). If you do get a 3 way fridge, get a Chescold/Electrolux (even the old ones), as the other brands just don't have the cooling power.

For conveniece, reliabilty and low power draw, Engel is the way to go.

Will

Member - Brian H (QLD) replied:

Hi,

I would not entertain the idea of running a fridge on gas inside a vehicle, the risks are to high and if things go pear shaped it will not be pleasant.

I have an old chestcold and from the service person he indicated it _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx 12 amp an hour, it chews battery's and does not run as well. I agree about if staying in one location and take out place on level base and run on gas it will run 24/7 for approximately 28 days on 9kg's cylinder.

Mine is showing its age about 30 years I believe and its hard to set so everything does not freeze. I also had enough on my last trip about taking it in and out of the ute each night to run on gas so now have a trailblazer on a dual battery set up.

Not sure about 24 volts mine just states 12 volts for battery power.

Brian