3 way Fridges

Blue · Senior Member

3 way Fridges

Pedro_The_Swift · Veteran Member

I dont understand why anyone would even contemplate using a 3way fridge,,

spida · Guru

Huh? On gas for camping and on power in CP's. And I only have 1 battery so cannot run on 12v when camping. I dont run on 12v when travelling as I only drive for a max of 2 hours and fridge is fine, but at least I have the choice. Have a computer fan in the vent to extra air when in the heat. So dont see what the problem is re 3 way fridge.

ballast2 · Guru

G'day The 3 way fridge in our van works better when on gas than 240/12 would not be without it

valiant81 · Senior Member

I have had 3 Jayco caravans with the same model 3 way fridge fitted and all have been dismal at trying to keep food and drinks cold on a warm day. The last caravan that i have has the dometic 3 way fridge as fitted from new and while yes it will keep thing nice and cold down here in the southern states, when we took the caravan up north to Darwin last year in May 2013. the fridge started to loose it punch and started to work better at keeping things warm , rather than trying to keep things cold.

This caravan was at the time just on 5 months old and realy only it's second trip away. The other caravan was also only 2 years old( we upgraded because the new one had a toilet and shower built in ) and also suffered from the same problems, useless as a car licence to a blind man. I also contacted dometic and was told that the model that was fitted to my caravan ( s) were working to manufactures specifications !!!!!! I kid you not. Didn't mater if i was useing gas , 12 Volt or 240 Volt. Our latest caravan has been checked out and said that thay were unable to fault as it was getting cold. I've installed 2x 4" 12 Volt computer fans and installed them inside of the top vent and yes they do remove the hot air, even these still do not help

So what to do Jayco refer you to dometic. What would happen if you had a young familt and had formular stored in your fridge and be cause of the fridge unable to keep a decent temp the baby's milk had gone off.

My point is IF you are in the market make certain that your caravan is fitted with a compessor fridge. At best you can be garenteed of a coldy at the end of the day. while i still have the 3 way fridge, as soon as i get the money to gether i would be installing a compressor fridge and the old fridge will be going to the tip. As long as my back side points to the ground i will never purches a nother 3 way fridge.

One of the reasons why i have 2 X 40 Ltr compressor fridges ( one is used as a freezer ) in the back of my 4x4.

-- Edited by valiant81 on Monday 13th of October 2014 04:31:48 PM

Blue · Senior Member

hi Valiant,

I would like to know if you have a full tropical Fridge..

from memory it's be a T

if you have an S then it is a Sub Tropical and will only work up to 36*

if you have a T then they will work up to 43*

this is a HUGE difference and if turned up too high will freeze everything in the fridge part over night..

i'll run out and check mine now to see what it says on the sticker inside

Blue · Senior Member

ok, check out this picture below...

if you look on your Fridges Specification sticker you'll see the Climate Class..

now.. no matter where you live in Australia.. make sure your van is fitted with a T and not an S

for those of you who are getting a Caravan Built RIGHT NOW... {Doug} .. ring them up and make sure your van is being fitted with a Fridge with a Climate Class of T

if it isn't or you find that an S is fitted then demand they change it!!

-- Edited by Blue on Monday 13th of October 2014 07:28:22 PM

-- Edited by Blue on Monday 13th of October 2014 07:30:10 PM

oldtrack123 · Guru

HI
Perhaps those advocating compressor fridges should add a little more detail !
Such as:
House battery capacity ?
Battery charging means ?
Solar, what is total watts rating of panels.?
How long you can spend away from mains power??
Do you have a back up generator?

PeterQ

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Monday 13th of October 2014 09:34:02 PM

hako · Guru

Our Dometic 3 way says it is a "ST" which I guess is sub tropical.....however we've had it in some pretty hot places and never ever had any problems with it keeping food cold when running on 240v, 12v or gas.
The advantages over compressor fridges are they are silent, run on gas or electricity, are cheaper to buy and have no moving parts to break down.

PeterD · Guru

hako wrote:
Our Dometic 3 way says it is a "ST" which I guess is sub tropical.....however we've had it in some pretty hot places and never ever had any problems with it keeping food cold when running on 240v, 12v or gas.

What is its model number. I bet it is not one of those German made ones with a curved front door.

Blue · Senior Member

Climate Class Ratings

I to explain here just what I mean. A number of fridges sold in Australia are marketed as 'tropicalised'. Whilst this is a reasonable description of their design and construction, the term 'tropicalised' can unintentionally mislead those not familiar with fridge technology.

The increasingly accepted European Union (CEN) fridge performance standard, includes so-called 'Climate Classes' in which the most stringent is Climate Class T. And that 'T' stands for Tropical. So in the way that 'oils ain't necessarily oils', a 'tropicalised' fridge ain't necessarily Climate Class T.

There are four (CEN Standard) Climate Class ratings.

Fridges rated 'SN', and 'N' (which stands for Sub Normal, and Normal respectively) are designed and rated to work up to 32 degrees C.

Fridges marked 'ST', (which stands for Sub Tropical) are designed and rated to work up to 36 degrees C. Those marked 'T' (which stands for Tropical) are designed and rated to work up to 43 degrees C.

A correctly installed fridge Climate Class rated fridge can be relied upon to work satisfactorily up to the highest ambient temperature for which it is rated. But once past that temperature, cooling performance is likely to drop off. If, for example, you have a Climate Class SN or N fridge (ie. designed for 32 degrees maximum), but it's 42 degrees outside, the beer in that fridge is likely to be up to ten degrees C warmer.

So if you are planning to spend time in places that are very hot, it is prudent to use a 'T-rated' unit. I have yet to encounter anyone even locally using a correctly installed 'T-rated' fridge that was not completely satisfied with its performance. And I live in the Kimberley which is one of the most consistently hot areas of this country.

Do note that the European Union Standard that includes Climate Class ratings is not obligatory in Australia. Nevertheless Dometic and a few other fridge vendors market fridges in Australia that have the 'Climate Class' rating noted on their compliance plate (which you'll find inside the fridge). Climate Class T fridges were for example fitted in several display Winnebagos on display at the Casino Rally and many CMCA members have recently bought them.

Be clear regarding this: a statement that a fridge is 'tropicalised' does not imply that it meets Climate Class 'T' requirements.

Blue · Senior Member

so as you can see...

the sub Tropicals are only rated at 36*

and the Tropicals are rated at 43*

this is a HUGE difference... as I was saying up above... during our Western Australian Tour in our poptop we only had the Subby 36* fridge.. it was in the high 30s and 40s every day so the damn thing only ever got a little bit cold over night..

if we'd have had the Full Tropical, T, it would not have been a drama at all as they work to their full capacity up to that temperature range of 43*

the people making these 3 way fridges have not ever explained themselves properly on this which has ticked off thousands of Australians..

Caravan Builders have also not serviced their customers well either..

they should only be fitting Full Tropical 3 way fridges into Australian Vans

-- Edited by Blue on Tuesday 14th of October 2014 07:26:51 AM

rockylizard · Guru

hako wrote:
Our Dometic 3 way says it is a "ST" which I guess is sub tropical.....however we've had it in some pretty hot places and never ever had any problems with it keeping food cold when running on 240v, 12v or gas. ~~~SNIP

Gday...

Ditto to Hako. I am full-time traveller and whilst the fridge "works harder" in the hotter climes I have not had any food "go off" in the fridge. I free camp predominantly and therefore it is used mainly on gas. I keep a thermometer in the fridge and constantly monitor its inside temp.

The freezer has always kept its contents frozen irrespective of ambient temperature and the contents of the fridge are definitely still cold to the touch. Worst internal temp I have seen was holding 13degC on 240V at Normanton in October 2012 when it was 39degC each of the 12 days I was there. Ambient got down to 22degC overnight and internal was down to 9degC in the morning.

I agree the "rating" of T would be probably 'better' but I also wonder if the way the fridge has been installed can have a detrimental affect on the fridge's performance. Perhaps my fridge (and Hako's?) have been properly installed. confuse

There has been some good work done, and advised, on the forum by (I think) JustCruising on the best way to install a fridge - such things as insulation and placement/introduction of fans etc. Perhaps he could comment.

Cheers - John

hako · Guru

PeterD wrote:
SNIP
What is its model number. I bet it is not one of those German made ones with a curved front door.

Peter - model number RM2350 and it says "Made in Sweden" - it's the standard 90l unit that's fitted to thousands of Avans.

Regards

ballast2 · Guru

G'day Further to my comments re topic. We live in Darwin and just returned from a trip which included a fair lot of free camping in the top end and our 3 way fridge did everything we wanted as a food fridge. We did have an Engel to keep drinks cold so we were not opening the food fridge all the time. I will admit that the build up has just started so we will see how it handles that
Cheers

PeterD · Guru

hako wrote:
Peter - model number RM2350 and it says "Made in Sweden" - it's the standard 90l unit that's fitted to thousands of Avans.
Regards

Denis, you are fortunate to have one of the flat fronted made in Sweden fridges. I have the RM2453, we do not suffer the poor performance that those with the curved fronted fridges do.

oldtrack123 · Guru

HI
I would suggest that all when consdering which fridge TYPE to buy do a lot of research
You will see many many users are quite happy with a 3way

CORRECTLY installed 3way fridges can & do perform well
Sadly most are not correctly installed!!!

Compresor fridges are great IF:
You always have mains power available
OR
[a]you have plenty of solar wattage
A reasonably large battery[Amphrs capacity]
OR like running a generator regularly
OR drive every day sufficiently to recharge the batterries

I have had both Engels & Dometic 3ways for over 45years
I know what BOTH types can do
I would never just have a compressor fridge if going into the real bush

PeterQ

Phil C · Guru

Hi all

I'll chime in here and say my dometic has never had issues. Not sure of the rating and don't care because it works.

We did this to beat some very hot days last summer. smile

safe travels

PeterD · Guru

Phil C wrote:
I'll chime in here and say my dometic has never had issues. Not sure of the rating and don't care because it works.

Again I ask, what model fridge do you have? Remember, not all Dometic fridges are created equally. Discussion without telling us what you are using are fairly meaningless.

Phil C · Guru

PeterD wrote:
Phil C wrote:
I'll chime in here and say my dometic has never had issues. Not sure of the rating and don't care because it works.
Again I ask, what model fridge do you have? Remember, not all Dometic fridges are created equally. Discussion without telling us what you are using are fairly meaningless.

PeterD my post was about the screen, not the fridge.

So it doesn't matter, and I couldn't be stuffed to look smile

also, there is never meaningless discussion on this forum, everyone including you and me deserve respect from all as what we have to say is important. Your comment shows little respect.

Now out of respect for you the photo is the fridge nameplate

-- Edited by Phil C on Wednesday 15th of October 2014 04:56:55 PM

-- Edited by Phil C on Wednesday 15th of October 2014 05:03:28 PM

PeterD · Guru

Phil, you have one of the good series of fridges (RM2553,) it's the size larger than mine.You should get good operation from it with or without that shade. I had an awning track mounted on the fridge side of the van, we used a shade like yours early in the life of the van but rarely use it now.

Phil C · Guru

PeterD wrote:
Phil, you have one of the good series of fridges (RM2553,) it's the size larger than mine.You should get good operation from it with or without that shade. I had an awning track mounted on the fridge side of the van, we used a shade like yours early in the life of the van but rarely use it now.

Cheers PeterD I would be most upset at Jayco had that been different.

We made the choice to go a full length shade as it cools that side of the van rather well on a very hot day. Needless to say the effect on privacy.

I hope you are well.

PeterD · Guru

Phil C wrote:
Cheers PeterD I would be most upset at Jayco had that been different.

Yes you are fortunate to have one of therir older models. The new Jayco vans are fitted with the curved bow fronted fridges, hence the renewed talk regarding Dometic fridges. There is an 11 page thread in CF regarding fridge performance in their Silverline vans.

Blue · Senior Member

Phil C wrote:
PeterD wrote:
Phil C wrote:
I'll chime in here and say my dometic has never had issues. Not sure of the rating and don't care because it works.
Again I ask, what model fridge do you have? Remember, not all Dometic fridges are created equally. Discussion without telling us what you are using are fairly meaningless.
PeterD my post was about the screen, not the fridge.
So it doesn't matter, and I couldn't be stuffed to look
also, there is never meaningless discussion on this forum, everyone including you and me deserve respect from all as what we have to say is important. Your comment shows little respect.
Now out of respect for you the photo is the fridge nameplate

-- Edited by Phil C on Wednesday 15th of October 2014 04:56:55 PM

-- Edited by Phil C on Wednesday 15th of October 2014 05:03:28 PM

excellent Phil,

you have Climate Class T

and that's why it works so well...

-- Edited by Blue on Thursday 16th of October 2014 05:58:32 PM

elliemike · Guru

In the Avan we have the standard Dometic. RM 2350 ST. If I need to replace the present one ever! I would fit a class T. But this one works well and it has been all over Oz and keeps the contents in good nick. I dont carry Beer. Nor do I have any other fridge.
I can always fix the 3 way myself when it fails, as it did recently on the Eyre Hwy . We are happy with the 3 way performance since it was modified. These mods are not bank breaking, just a pain in the ar$e to do after buying a van. Done during the production stage the mods would cost less than $50 I would think!

I had (when I first bought the Avan) to do a bit of alteration to wiring, ventilation, and insulation, to get it to perform as it was intended to. Just as the Dometic installation guide says.
The lack of quality control for fitting caravan fridges to manufacturers specs, is just criminal.

-- Edited by elliemike on Thursday 16th of October 2014 10:13:46 PM

Blue · Senior Member

elliemike wrote:
In the Avan we have the standard Dometic. RM 2350 ST. If I need to replace the present one ever! I would fit a class T. But this one works well and it has been all over Oz and keeps the contents in good nick. I dont carry Beer. Nor do I have any other fridge.
I can always fix the 3 way myself when it fails, as it did recently on the Eyre Hwy .

I had to do a bit of alteration to wiring, ventilation, and insulation, to get it to perform as it was intended to.
The lack of quality control for fitting caravan fridges to manufacturers specs, is just criminal.

well done mike...

we got hit hard when travelling through WA with temps up to and over 40* during a tour through January... basically we never had a fridge due to it being a ST and the heat being over 36* every day...

its like these caravan Builders and sales staff don't even know their own product!!!

if they did then every van in Australia would have a Tropical Class T in it...

the other thing that gets up my nose is caravan flooring insulation... furious

maybe I need to start my own company and build a caravan that fixes everything that ticks me off... wink

03_troopy · Guru

At least if you did, it would be built around lessons learned from practical experience, instead trying to make it look like a cover of Vogue at a budget price.

patrolst · Senior Member

Look at the Thetford fridges they do perform better than the Dometic. We have had both and the Thetford operates in the van equally as good as our home fridge.

Freezer -17deg

Fridge - 4deg

ambient temperature was 35 deg

PeterD · Guru

elliemike wrote:
In the Avan we have the standard Dometic. RM 2350 ST. If I need to replace the present one ever! I would fit a class T.

Mike, your fridge is a climate class T model. It's one of the flat fronted models that I advise people to look for.

The curved fronted fridges have some of their units labelled as class T. These later models do not seem to work any better than the older ones that are marked class ST. Looking for class T does not seem to be enough. You seem to have to know your models.

Phil C · Guru

Thanks guys, this has been most useful information. This highlights the spirit of these blogs and the way we treat each other.

Im proud to be a part of it.

I hope you are all well.