Question: 3 way fridge

Hi Toby T1,

When camping you run the fridge on gas, battery is generally only used while your travelling as 3 way fridges draw about 10A and will quickly flatten a car battery. You also need to unplug the van when you stop the car for awhile, ie
lunch to avoid a flat battery or alternatively turn it of or better still you can buy and install an automatic switch that will turn the power off when the car stops,
have it wired so that the power is disconnected when you stop the cars motor.

As for safety, as safe as anything your likely to use, the fridge will have automatic cuts out built in to turn of the gas if the flame goes out and if it has been installed properly fumes and fire should not be an issue.

Cheers
leighW

Hi Toby
The only time you should run your 3way off 12v is while engine is running
Running from the battery without the engine running will quickly flatten the battery,
Devices are available to protect against this occurring
IF your set up is correcyly installed one should be included

However you have not given model but some models do require a permanent connection to 12v to run the electronic control system
A correctly installed 3way should have the gas section sealed from the van interior &well ventilated to the outside
Should be no chanceof gas or fumes getting into the interior.

Just one point, it is highly advisable to NOT RUN ON GAS WHILE TRAVELLING

Peter

We run a 3-way Dometic on gas when we camp without power. Just make sure you check the hoses and connections regularly, otherwise no drama.

Hi: When camping I use gas as 12v will flatten 2nd battery within hours. Make sure fridge is ventilated well. If installed in campervan then this typically would be set up for ventilation (input & output). Gas bottle most likely will have a regulator fitted so should be ok. Typically the gas bottle is housed with acess from outside the vehicle. In my case I also check how much gas is still in the bottle and I am aware of my typical gas consumption when running the fridge and stove (just extra precaution). Check also your fridge manual for details and or contact fridge supplier for added assurances to your specific concerns. In my case the 3 way fridge has to be level in all directions when using gas or electricity. There is only a minor leeway on this. Most importantly is that all other gas appliances are are not leaking gas during the night. In my case I also have a fly screen window partially open during the night. Hope this helps.

Hi,
Firstly there should be a switch which allows you to select which source your fridge will run off.
Best way to run is of 240V. So plug it in at home for a couple of days before you leave to get it really cold as it is hard to get it cold on 12V. Then as you are about to leave switch to 12V. This will keep it cold as you travel. I would recommend you install a redarc unit to either car or van so that when the cars battery drops below the set voltage when stopped it will automatically disconnect. This is the easiest most reliable way to do it, not worth mucking around trying to wire stuff from ignition.
Then when camped level van and turn onto gas. Safe to leave it on all day/night. It is a good idea to take out the drinks/food you need for the day in the morning as this reduces the load from opening the fridge door all the time.

This is what I do with mine.

The main thing not covered is the ventilation of the fridge. When fridges are installed in a van or camper they must get their combustion air from the outside and exhaust to the outside. In other words, the section at the back of the fridge must be in a compartment that is sealed from the interior of your van.

I have seen a few camper installations that do not follow that regulation.

As others have said, a properly installed 3 way fridge will work well and be very safe to run on gas. We have had three in different vans and a trailer with no problems. Make sure yours is Tropical rated for Australian conditions so it copes with our northern heat. We have found them very efficient in terms of gas usage although we have always had two cylinders as insurance against running out far from a supplier. In moderate weather our current, large fridge, gives us weeks out of a 9kg cylinder and we cook on gas too. Always chill it down on power or gas before leaving home. On 12v they will maintain the temperature you started driving with for a few hours, so long as you don't keep opening the fridge, but 12v will not cool the fridge down. In a full height van, we turn the fridge to gas whenever we stop for more than an hour in warm weather to ensure safe fridge temperatures. This is usually more difficult in a trailer as you generally can't run the fridge on gas unless your roof is up. Check this with your manufacturer. Lynne