replace caravan fridge

Hi Flatty
Some good info here RV Mobile
Cheers
Neil

Hi Flatty

We went from a 3 way to a 12 volt 240 litre Vitrifrigo (Italain) fridge and would never go to a 3 way again. It runs about 5 to 6.5 amps.

You did not mention power supply situation and if you have any solar on the roof of the van.

We went from a bottle of gas every 2 weeks to now a bottle lasts 6 weeks. So this is another saving that tends to be hiddne and not considered.

So if you are looking at 12 volt, I recommend them.

Hi Flatty,
I had trouble with my 10 year old 3 way and eventually pulled it out and found that mud wasps had built nests in the flue pipe at the back.
I cleaned them out and fitted an old 12 volt computer fan into the top vent on the side of the van and put it all back.

Fan works off a separate switch I fitted to the top cover on the frig and in hot weather I turn the fan on.

Just got back from a trip in Queensland, admittedly the weather was cool but the frig was freezing anything placed too near the freezer. Frig was on a low setting as well.
Cheers, Bruce.

G'Day Flatty.
A couple of things you might like to consider;
- The poor performance on 12V may be because you wiring isn't heavy enough. With tug connected and running - fridge plugged in and switched on to the 12V setting - check the voltage at the terminals on the back of the fridge, where the 12V is connected - with the car just above idle speed, you should read 12V at the terminals, if not I'd suggest your wiring is too light and/or you may have some poor connections. With 12V it doesn't much to lose enough to make the fridge struggle.
- Perhaps a service on the gas side could improve things.
- If you do decide to swap the fridge out for a bigger one - will it fit out the door way? Also will the new, bigger one fit? Perhaps you have a camper and it isn't an issue.
Hope this may be of some assistance
Mark

Flatty if you have the time to try and fit a fan at the back of your frig it makes a big difference.
I was about to do the same chuck out the 3 way and fit a 12V and 240 V frig now I recon I might keep the 3way after my last trip. The temp only got about 32 degree's outside of the camper but before I fitted the fan it would of been struggling big time. Happy as now , nice cold beer every day.

Cheers Scoot. :-)

Hi Flatty,

Have just gone through this exercise myself as my 3 way died. First off I would take the covers off and inspect the rear of the fridge, if it's working ok on 240V then the cooling unit is ok and it should work as well on gas. As a new one is going to cost in excess of $1500 I would be checking the burner or get someone else to have a look at it.

I find that whilst travelling the 12V is only able to keep the fridge cold, this usually the case as the van most likely isn't level whilst travelling and the movement doesn't help the cooling unit operation.

If you decide to replace it with a two way 240/12 unit and intend to camp at none powered sites then your going to need a dual battery system for short stays and additional solar panels for long stays.

If you decide on another 3 way unit the catch here is from what I have read new ones seem to have a max life of about 10 years which is pretty poor compared to old ones.

Also if you buy dometic unit you will most likely also need to buy a flue and vent kit else they may not warranty it. Some gas pipe and fittings will also be required as the gas connects to the top of the new fridges.

Advantages of fitting a dometic is though if your replacing an old electrolux etc the same size dometic will fit straight into the opening and you won't need to alter the cabinet etc.

Also, if you have a camper van your probably best to stick with a three way else the resale value of the unit may go down.

If you don't intend to camp at unpowered sites then a two way is probably the best option though keep in my cabinet work will probably be required and resale value of van may go down if it's a camper van.

Cheers

Leigh