Which replacement 3 way fridge to fit ?

Hi Leigh,
Thank you for your advice.
Have you recently completed your change over? If so, can you answer some specific questions...
Did you find the job relatively straight forward. Any warnings for me?
Can you supply the name of the retailer who sold you your fridge. I am in Adelaide, and note that the caravan shops want $1350 for the new fridge. Can I expect better that that ?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I would get satisfaction by doing the job myself, and hopefully not get taken for a ride. I have had my fridge out in the past, so putting a new one back would not seem too difficult... with some warnings and advice from someone who has been there and done that.

Thank you for your assistance, Barry.
PS, Did you find that "tropical" grade fridges (90 litre,)were available ?
bmpears@bigpond.com

I concure. I can't understand why 3way fridges are fitted at all. With the battery/solar systems everyone is getting and the move towards free camping you can't beat a good 12/240volt fridge.
3 ways are useless on 12v and need to be almost perfectly level to work any other time. Sure they don't use much gas but with a good electrical set-up they don't use much power either.
Get an anderson plug to run it while on the road and you will be more than happy.

Member -Dodger replied:
Quote
"If you have the battery power " _----------------} then get a compressor fridge of the same dimensions and you will not be disappointed.
They are around the same price"end quote}

Hi Dodge
I believe you left out an important bit " and the solar panel capacity above any existing requirements"

Many Compreesor fridge proponents seem to fail to mention that little fact.
Peter

Hi Skull
Perhaps an explanation as to what the bad runs were would be usefull?
Most problems are due to very poor installations??

Peter

Peter,

You are right about bad installations but I had it checked by the dealer and independent caravan repair business. The install was OK but the dealer said the problem was that a non -T (tropical) rated model. If this is correct, it is pretty poor that these fridges are installed in caravans sold in SA. It can get hot here and keeping food at 20 below ambient isn't safe.

Cheers

Skull

Don't rely on Jayco insulation. If you read the installation instructions there should not be any air gap on the sides of the fridge and the top should be blanked off at the rear. This is to stop the heat transferring over the top. My RM2350 S/T since modifying the insulation has operated just recently in 42 degree heat and it was cycling between 1.5 to 5 degrees on a setting of 3. I also have a computer fan installed which to-date has not been used. Shade on the side where the fridge is also helps. Have a good think about it, it is easily done.

Tony

I am looking to replace my "N"rated 3 way with a higher rated unit. "T (tropical) climate class if available. I dont think these are available in 90 litre size however. I am waiting for an email from Dometic re this query.
Does anyone know what make a tropical fridge a tropical fridge ? And why on earth arent ALL of the fridges sold in Ozz Tropical rated ?????

Bewildered Barry

Hi Barry,

In answer to " what makes a tropical fridge a tropical fridge " The burner and coils etc at the rear.

Go for the 90 liter 2350 ST. The tropical fridges start around 120 liter from memory and are to big for the space you have. It is a while since I did the replacement.The 105 liter ? is only a N rated fridge and took over from the 4400/4401. As I said before the secret is in the insulation.Think about R5 batts and that silver backed paper they use in roofing.
Don't wait to long for a reply from Dometic, They plead ignorance.

Tony

Hi Tony,
Thanks for your advise. I am confused after having emailed Dometic, getting redirected to the SA "distributor", (a caravan shop), and having the guy there assure me that there are NO climate class ratings for Dometic fridges. "They are all the same", and the installation is the important item. We all know that, don"t we.

I picked up the latest Dometic brochure today, and find that their fridges have "Performance enhanced cooling units--designed and manufactured for the harsh Australian conditions". I can't see any reference to there being a choice of any climate classes ! My 13 year old model label says mine is an "N" class.

I have not yet seen a current 90 litre fridge, but intend to see some asap. I really would like to be sure that there really are ST rated fridges. I was disappointed that Dometic gave me the flick, and that as a consequence, I might have been misled by the local SA dealer.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated. I was told by another member that there are retail outlets (other than expensive caravan shops), that will sell these fridges for better prices. The best I have found thru' van dealerships is $1349. I would also like a comment on whether I should/could fitted myself.

Heres hoping I can get some good info from members.

Thanks Barry

Hi Barry,
Haven't looked for a couple of years. As they are made in
The ratings are actually for Europe and according to Dometic/Electrolux are not applicable to Oz. Like hell they are not, they apply more so.Unfortunately the " T " rating only apply to the larger fridges.The 105 ? litre is rated as " N ". Both of the 2350/5 are the only ones that are rated as " ST ".
Have a look at the condensers and piping at the rear. The larger fridges have a different set up . The 2350 manual and the 2355 auto are different to the 105 litre 7401 and the 4211. Or were when I replaced the original 4401.
Go for the 2350 manual rather than the auto 2355 auto..In other words kiss or Keep it simple stupid. (Mods that is an expression for a long time and it is not derogatory in any form)

That c/van character in S.A. speaks with forked tongue or else he is a dumb cluck and doesn't know his product.

Tony

Should have completed the first paragraph.
Should read -- made in Sweden it should still show the rating

Tony

Member - Tony S (WA) posted:
Don't rely on Jayco insulation. If you read the installation instructions there should not be any air gap on the sides of the fridge and the top should be blanked off at the rear. This is to stop the heat transferring over the top{End quote }

Hi Tony

May I add /suggest a change in wording?
"Do not rely on any van, or motor home, makers installation"


Very very few are correctly installed or wired for optimum operation

Peter

Hello Peter,

Yes I agree with you. None have been installed correctly some are worse than others.
Mine had about a 30mm gap on one side and 20mm on the other. The wiring was reasonable but not perfect. OK back in '96 I assume they didn't know much. However these days..........