Fridge running on gas

my chescold takes around 3-5 hours in 30+ to get to -2 and its best to test empty
but once its there it stays there unless you leave the lid open
i always pre chill mine before i put anything in it.

We bought a small caravan a couple of years ago with a 3 way fridge - the vendor said he had only used it on electricity and it did keep things cool. If it did - it was not by very much! Our local refridgeration mechanic tested it by fitting a new heating element (for eletricity) but when that didn't improve it, he said that the pipes were most likely blocked and it was unrepairable. We purchased a new Engel 12v/240v caravan fridge and it is excellent, cools quickly, works well on 12v. Much prefer the compressor type to a gas fridge. But i am also a bit paranoid about fire - seen caravans go up in smoke!

Corey,

My experience would suggest that the time taken to cool to say -2 Deg C and even if it can ever get there depends on the outside Ambient Temperature, and the installation of the fridge.
My three-way fridge running on gas in ambient temps around 35 to 40 Deg without mods barely kept the food cool, certainly not down to -2.
On investigation the heat exchanger at the back of the unit was very very hot. My plan is to do two things. Install some baffles to to make sure I get cooling air flow to the right place and to mount a twelve volt fan or fans to assist in heat dissapation.

Hi Corey,

I have a Chescold 3 way fridge RC1180. Personally I run it on 240v two days before I need it to get it down to about 2 degrees. I have a thermometer installed so I can see what the temp is (otherwise it gets TOO cold when on gas i find). It doesn't take two days to get down to 2 degrees however.

I actually turned it on last night with it sitting on 22deg. This morning it was 3deg. Link provided below for the thermostat that I use.

Jaycar Thermostat

Your doing it the right way. To test a fridge properly fill it with gear to cool, preferably warm tins etc to see just how long it will take to pull down. Testing empty tells you nothing. If the fridge is level and set up properly it could take a couple of days depending on outside temps. If it's not tropicalised it may not do it again depending on the ambient temp. I have a mate traveling Aus with one, on most of my trips with him his gas fridge has been problem. When the temp and humidity is down and the fridge is level, flame not blown out etc, etc it will freeze everything, that's everything fruit, veggies. Most of the time though it's a pain. He's found around Aus that in Vic, NSW etc were it's cool to cold weather it works quite well. Though you can't beat them for long stays in reasonable weather as a cheap alternative to compressor style.

Thanks for the replies,
The fridge got down to approx 3 degrees overnight but is now on the way up, at present it is around 12+degrees.The fridge works fine on 240v keeping the temp down. I have soaked the jet in metho to clean it as well as the gas flute, and reinstalled as well i pulled the gas temp control apart. All seems fine but has trouble keeping the temp down. It has a T on the model number hich i believe stands for tropicalized.

I am unsure what else to do, any suggestions?

Cheers

Corey

When I first used my 3 way fridge in our caravan and it didn't seem to cool down I got some advice that has served me well since..........

MAKE SURE IT IS LEVEL !!!! Regardless of whether it is on gas or 240 volt

As they use heat transfer of ammonia the unit needs to be level to work correctly unlike compressor fridges............

I use a spirit level when parking the van to ensure the fridge has the best chance it can.........

Most 3 ways will run their best on gas or 240 Volt.

Another tip...empty the fridge, let it cool down then place items in it once it has reached correct temp...We usually turn it on 12 - 24 hours before we pack it.

Last tip....ensure their is plently of free flowing air to allow the heat to disperse and keep away from direct sun...

Yes it seems like a lot of fuss but that is the price you pay when using gas...Our next van will have a 2 way compressor fridge........

We carry a Waeco as well (we keep the beer in it as it gets colder) and it usually becomes the back up for the tempermental Elecrolux. I am always amused at how much the Swedes know about fridge operation in the Aussie heat!

Best of luck