3 way fridge
Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012 at 18:33
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kman1
Hi,I have a Dometic 3 way fridge RM2350 and when the ambient temp. reaches about 32 the fridge starts to lose performance rapidly.Below 32 it works
well.This is an old fridge and I am wondering have they improved in any way with the newer versions.
Has anyone had similar,better or worse results than me.
Thanks in advance.
kman
Reply By: Hairs & Fysh - Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012 at 20:15
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012 at 20:15
Hi kman,
We've an old rm360 2way, 78 model.
I've added a 150W element to make it a 3way, keeps things cold while traveling.
I have also added a fan, has suggested to the rear of the unit to blow the hot air away. I have also added a 70 degree thermostat to operate the fan.
Fan Installation, Note, i haven't added the second fan to the inside yet, haven't had a need to.
Other things to try is, keep the sun off that side of the van, even if you have to hang shadecloth over that side.
Hope this is of some help to you.
AnswerID:
477882
Follow Up By: wombat100 - Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:11
Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:11
Did you finr the 70deg thermostat is OK ??? I think the Dometic setup is 100degs.
FollowupID:
753278
Follow Up By: Hairs & Fysh - Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 15:21
Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 15:21
Yeah, it does come on early, which doesn't worry us or the battery, not a big drain on it. so it doesn't matter if runs a fair bit.
We do everything we can to help the fridge, level, the kitchen side awning out and shade trees on that side if we can have it.
The only thing we can't control is the humidity. While in the Flinders last year the fridge would freeze the milk on setting 2, which is the second warmest setting, No Humidity, were as here near
Grafton the humidity being higher(85%+ some days), the fridge struggles on 7 the coldest setting to hold 5degrees. This is on both 240V & gas.
FollowupID:
753306
Reply By: Member - John and Lynne - Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 09:05
Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 09:05
Until quite recently many caravans were fitted with 3way fridges that were not T rated (also called Tropical) and were not designed for hot climates.
Check the plate in your fridge. The next common issue is poor installation, as others have said. Most van manufacturers are fairly casual about following Dometic's instructions. Performance can often be vastly improved with better ventilation and instalation, as we found with our previous van. We also found that a simple shadecloth awning on a track over the fridge (don't restrict air movement) helps a lot in very hot conditions - saves gas too.
We now have a two door T rated Dometic in our new van (2 years old) properly installed and it works a treat. Lynne
AnswerID:
477912
Follow Up By: wombat100 - Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:04
Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:04
Hiya
So did you just 'drape' a bif shadecloth over the fridge area- or make a proper' awning' shape for ir ??
FollowupID:
753277
Follow Up By: kman1 - Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:27
Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:27
Hi
John and Lynne,I have been told by a Dometic service agent that the RM2350 is only rated ST (sub-tropical).
thanks kman
FollowupID:
753281
Follow Up By: Member - John and Lynne - Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 14:18
Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 14:18
Hello Wombat
We made a proper shadecloth awning which runs along a track on the side of the van, covering fridge and window. It makes quite a difference to the van.Quite cheaply made by a canvas/tent place and a caravan repairer put up the track - a simple job. We slide it into the track and then pull it out and hold it with tent pegs and ropes or poles, depending on space available. If such an awning is just draped over the vents from the fridge you restrict air flow and decrease fridge efficiency. When not needed this small awning just folds into a bag for easy storage. Lynne
FollowupID:
753301