3 Way Fridges (1 Viewer)

Triple7

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I would be interested to know what people think of motorhome fridges and in particular, hear from people who are happy with theirs and if it broke down (and couldn't fix it themselves) would go to the expense of repair or replacement with another.

I read recently that the single most frequent problem reported by people is to do with their fridge. From my past experience owning just one, it was temperamental and the only item I had a problem with on my Hymer.

I've now fitted a domestic 240v fridge-freezer to my latest van and I'm a lot happier. It only draws 1amp (when running) during normal operation and from start up the max it draws is 4amps for about an hour. I have it on a timer so it switches off at night but it's very quiet anyway.

The fridge is about the same size or slightly bigger as my 3 way and the freezer is about half the size. I bought it second hand but you can get a new one for around £120.

If it were to break down I would just replace it but how often will that happen? Sounds a lot easier than trying to find an specialist when you are in foreign parts!

I'm struggling to find any good reason why I'd want a 3 way fridge again but maybe I've missed something?? I know in the past battery capacity was an issue but these days with solar, cheap invertors, very efficient domestic models and easy access to shore power I'm baffled.

Is it just a case that it was the one which came with the van? Do people replace their old one when it gives up with a new 3 way fridge? Or is it a case that "I've got 2 vents in the side of my van so I better use 'em" ;-)

Thanks!
 

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Oct 7, 2013
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We are very happy with the Dometic three-way in our Swift Esprit 2015.

I only hope I don't regret posting this!:whistle:

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Triple7

Triple7

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Thanks guys....I think I need to rephrase the question!
 

Minxy

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You can now find 'only' electric powered fridges fitted in MHs, usually smaller ones or camper conversions, as they are easier to fit, however they do have their disadvantages as you need a good bit of battery capacity to keep them going and they don't keep stuff as cold as a 3-way ... even the manufacturer's admit this, but for a lot of people they are fine. If you go on sites with EHU then you won't need to worry, even with your domestic fridge, but off grid it can be different.

We wouldn't want one as we wild camp extensively so never have EHU and although we have solar and 2 leisure batteries I'd rather have a 3-way simply because I can top up the cylinders and ensure I have enough to power the fridge even when away from anywhere to top up for weeks on end ... not easy if I need power for a fridge and my batteries have been depleted and/or not been topped up sufficiently from the solar (eg run of bad weather, dull days etc and no travelling).

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Triple7

Triple7

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You can now find 'only' electric powered fridges fitted in MHs, usually smaller ones or camper conversions, as they are easier to fit, however they do have their disadvantages as you need a good bit of battery capacity to keep them going and they don't keep stuff as cold as a 3-way ... even the manufacturer's admit this, but for a lot of people they are fine. If you go on sites with EHU then you won't need to worry, even with your domestic fridge, but off grid it can be different.

We wouldn't want one as we wild camp extensively so never have EHU and although we have solar and 2 leisure batteries I'd rather have a 3-way simply because I can top up the cylinders and ensure I have enough to power the fridge even when away from anywhere to top up for weeks on end ... not easy if I need power for a fridge and my batteries have been depleted and/or not been topped up sufficiently from the solar (eg run of bad weather, dull days etc and no travelling).

Thanks for the feedback. I'm actually running an off road camper so I wild camp 90% of the time. You didn't mention how many amps your battery bank is but the nice thing about an electric fridge on the days you really need it you have lots of solar power. A domestic fridge gets a lot colder than a 3 way so I don't agree but maybe you are thinking of a 12v camper fridge. Mine is rated to use 35amps a day but running it at 3 way fridge performance you could halve that number.
 

suavecarve

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i ve only ever had a 3 way fridge. We dont use the electric hook up, certainly dont use the battery but use the 3rd option permanently. (Gas)
In 7 and a bit years never had a problem, havent heard of any, dont remember an awful lot of threads where ppl havent parked on the flat as the cure to the gas not working.
12 quids worth of gas last us a fortnight with gas on the fridge permanently, cooking bbqing and hot water.
I see no reason to change.
I was once told that if you were trying to start dropping the temperature by running it off the alternator side of the battery this doesnt give enough power to dro it but only to maintain the temperature.
 

Lenny HB

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I've now fitted a domestic 240v fridge-freezer to my latest van and I'm a lot happier. It only draws 1amp (when running) during normal operation and from start up the max it draws is 4amps for about an hour. I have it on a timer so it switches off at night but it's very quiet anyway.

The fridge is about the same size or slightly bigger as my 3 way and the freezer is about half the size. I bought it second hand but you can get a new one for around £120.
1 amp = 20 amps at 12v, 4 amps = 80 amps at 12v batteries won't last long.:)

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EX51SSS

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You can now find 'only' electric powered fridges fitted in MHs, usually smaller ones or camper conversions, as they are easier to fit, however they do have their disadvantages as you need a good bit of battery capacity to keep them going and they don't keep stuff as cold as a 3-way ... even the manufacturer's admit this, but for a lot of people they are fine. If you go on sites with EHU then you won't need to worry, even with your domestic fridge, but off grid it can be different.

We wouldn't want one as we wild camp extensively so never have EHU and although we have solar and 2 leisure batteries I'd rather have a 3-way simply because I can top up the cylinders and ensure I have enough to power the fridge even when away from anywhere to top up for weeks on end ... not easy if I need power for a fridge and my batteries have been depleted and/or not been topped up sufficiently from the solar (eg run of bad weather, dull days etc and no travelling).
What @Minxy Girl said
 
Apr 27, 2008
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Just looked at a A+ rated tall fridge/freezer which could possibly be a replacement for the 3 way AES Dometic in the motorhome. It claims an annual electricity consumption of 205Kw/h which I reckon equates to 460w/h per day or 4.7Ah on 12v via inverter. Obviously a bit more as this assumes no loss in the inverter but at 5-6Ah a day still very feasible to run on battery power with a reasonable amount of solar, especially as the hotter it is the more solar available.
Whether it would fit in the available space is a different matter, but I would definitely consider it should my 3 way fail. Even an upmarket fridge/freezer is about a third of the price of a 3 way.

Just noticed this one has glass shelves which might be a tad impractical, but no doubt could be replaced.
 
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EX51SSS

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Thanks for the feedback. I'm actually running an off road camper so I wild camp 90% of the time. You didn't mention how many amps your battery bank is but the nice thing about an electric fridge on the days you really need it you have lots of solar power. A domestic fridge gets a lot colder than a 3 way so I don't agree but maybe you are thinking of a 12v camper fridge. Mine is rated to use 35amps a day but running it at 3 way fridge performance you could halve that number.
Battery only power whilst travelling then usually use gas but obviously if EHU employed then that. Only 12V between stops

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Minxy

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Thanks for the feedback. I'm actually running an off road camper so I wild camp 90% of the time. You didn't mention how many amps your battery bank is but the nice thing about an electric fridge on the days you really need it you have lots of solar power. A domestic fridge gets a lot colder than a 3 way so I don't agree but maybe you are thinking of a 12v camper fridge. Mine is rated to use 35amps a day but running it at 3 way fridge performance you could halve that number.
I'm talking about the a compressor fridges specifically designed for use in MHs and campers (and some caravans!) ... the below thread was a discussion about it on another forum, specifically relating to a Waeco CR80 fridge freezer but no doubt relating to most (if not all) of these types of fridges:

http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk...of-Waeco-CR80-fridge-freezer-electric-/30501/

Extract of response from staff at Swift:

Dometic have confirmed that the fridge operation you have described is not something specific to Swift (Autocruise) installations - as with many domestic appliances, if the room the fridge is in, falls to a low temperature, the operation of the fridge can be affected.

We hope that keeping the room (motorhome) temperature within the range of +16deg C to +42deg C is acceptable - Dometic tell us these are the optimum conditions for the operation of the fridge.
and another:

The optimum operating temperature of the fridge unit is between 16-42 degrees Celsius. Outside this range, the performance of the unit is reduced. While the fridge operation is less likely to be affected, the freezer will be.

So at 9 degrees, the operation of the unit is affected. While I would not expect that a few hours use at this temperature would have any major affects, a complete night at Christmas (where the highest temperature at night will be but a few degrees) will certainly affect the operation.

While the definition of a temperate climate maybe true, I would not expect anyone to sleep in their Grade 2 Panel Van without the heating on, through a complete winters nights.

As I understand the system, it is a sliding scale of efficiency, whereby the further you move outside the optimum range, the less likely the system is able to freeze items in the freezer.
Total madness ... why would anyone want a fridge that could be 'problematic' in cold or hot climes!!!

Out of interest, what fridge have you fitted? It would be useful to be able to read the details of the operating range for it.
 

Minxy

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Just to add, our 3-way fridge can get VERY cold ... enough to freeze salad!!!! :D
 
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Triple7

Triple7

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Just looked at a A+ rated tall fridge/freezer which could possibly be a replacement for the 3 way AES Dometic in the motorhome. It claims an annual electricity consumption of 205Kw/h which I reckon equates to 460w/h per day or 4.7Ah on 12v via inverter. Obviously a bit more as this assumes no loss in the inverter but at 5-6Ah a day still very feasible to run on battery power with a reasonable amount of solar, especially as the hotter it is the more solar available.
Whether it would fit in the available space is a different matter, but I would definitely consider it should my 3 way fail. Even an upmarket fridge/freezer is about a third of the price of a 3 way.

Just noticed this one has glass shelves which might be a tad impractical, but no doubt could be replaced.
Cost is definitely one factor for me. Frees up £400 to spend on beefing up the battery system. I think your watts to amps calculation has gone wrong. I don’t think 5amps a day is doable. Unfortunately while I can measure my draw at any one time I can't tell how much in total. Mine is on for about 16hrs a day so I'm guessing between 10 and 15amps. Obviously in summer that could well double but I have 400W of solar so that's OK.

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Triple7

Triple7

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I'm talking about the a compressor fridges specifically designed for use in MHs and campers (and some caravans!) ... the below thread was a discussion about it on another forum, specifically relating to a Waeco CR80 fridge freezer but no doubt relating to most (if not all) of these types of fridges:

http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk...of-Waeco-CR80-fridge-freezer-electric-/30501/

Extract of response from staff at Swift:

Dometic have confirmed that the fridge operation you have described is not something specific to Swift (Autocruise) installations - as with many domestic appliances, if the room the fridge is in, falls to a low temperature, the operation of the fridge can be affected.

We hope that keeping the room (motorhome) temperature within the range of +16deg C to +42deg C is acceptable - Dometic tell us these are the optimum conditions for the operation of the fridge.
and another:

The optimum operating temperature of the fridge unit is between 16-42 degrees Celsius. Outside this range, the performance of the unit is reduced. While the fridge operation is less likely to be affected, the freezer will be.

So at 9 degrees, the operation of the unit is affected. While I would not expect that a few hours use at this temperature would have any major affects, a complete night at Christmas (where the highest temperature at night will be but a few degrees) will certainly affect the operation.

While the definition of a temperate climate maybe true, I would not expect anyone to sleep in their Grade 2 Panel Van without the heating on, through a complete winters nights.

As I understand the system, it is a sliding scale of efficiency, whereby the further you move outside the optimum range, the less likely the system is able to freeze items in the freezer.
Total madness ... why would anyone want a fridge that could be 'problematic' in cold or hot climes!!!

Out of interest, what fridge have you fitted? It would be useful to be able to read the details of the operating range for it.
Yes I thought so. I'm talking about an ordinary domestic fridge. ( not sure what my model is)

For what it's worth all serious off road expedition vehicles have compressor fridges so you may be taking the manufacturer blurb out of context. Like " might contain nuts" on every food packaging known to man
 
Apr 27, 2008
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I don't think there's anything wrong with my calculation, however I was using the manufacturers stated annual consumption figure which may be wildly optimistic (like most of the mpg figures stated for cars). I am surprised your fridge is running for 16hours a day, most domestic fridges only run for a few minutes every now and then.
 

Minxy

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Yes I thought so. I'm talking about an ordinary domestic fridge. ( not sure what my model is)

For what it's worth all serious off road expedition vehicles have compressor fridges so you may be taking the manufacturer blurb out of context. Like " might contain nuts" on every food packaging known to man
If you read the thread I linked to you will find that the responses were from Swift themselves who had spoken to the manufacturer of the fridges ... it's NOT something I've taken out of context at all but from the 'horses mouth'.

Just because expedition vehicles have electric only fridges installed doesn't mean that they are any better than a 3-way fridge in fact I would hasten to add that they reason these type of vehicles have them is more likely for safety and also that it would be rather difficult to get hold of gas in the middle of a desert!

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Triple7

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Just to add, our 3-way fridge can get VERY cold ... enough to freeze salad!!!! :D
Lol actually you reminded me mine would sometimes do that and then on other days could hardly keep milk fresh. In fairness it was past its best.
 

Minxy

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I don't think there's anything wrong with my calculation, however I was using the manufacturers stated annual consumption figure which may be wildly optimistic (like most of the mpg figures stated for cars). I am surprised your fridge is running for 16hours a day, most domestic fridges only run for a few minutes every now and then.
I think he means he only has it TURNED ON for 16 hours a day so it's off for 8 hours overnight and thereby not drawing any current ... not ideal in my view especially if it's a warm night.
 
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Triple7

Triple7

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If you read the thread I linked to you will find that the responses were from Swift themselves who had spoken to the manufacturer of the fridges ... it's NOT something I've taken out of context at all but from the 'horses mouth'.

Just because expedition vehicles have electric only fridges installed doesn't mean that they are any better than a 3-way fridge in fact I would hasten to add that they reason these type of vehicles have them is more likely for safety and also that it would be rather difficult to get hold of gas in the middle of a desert!
Gas supply is one reason (safety isn't) but reliability and performance are the main reasons.

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Triple7

Triple7

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I think he means he only has it TURNED ON for 16 hours a day so it's off for 8 hours overnight and thereby not drawing any current ... not ideal in my view especially if it's a warm night.
I am able to select the amount of time it's off!
 
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Triple7

Triple7

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I don't think there's anything wrong with my calculation, however I was using the manufacturers stated annual consumption figure which may be wildly optimistic (like most of the mpg figures stated for cars). I am surprised your fridge is running for 16hours a day, most domestic fridges only run for a few minutes every now and then.
The 500W a day looks very reasonable but is that not 38amps (460w/12v) plus a bit for invertor inefficiency?

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Minxy

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Yes I thought so. I'm talking about an ordinary domestic fridge. ( not sure what my model is
Looks a bit like a Curry's Essentials one:

s-l400.jpg


upload_2017-2-25_20-50-13.png
 
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Triple7

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EX51SSS

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Actually, in reading through the thread, the OP said or definitely appears to suggest he would welcome your views on 3 way fridge but as the messages go on, it becomes clear that the OP isn't interested in the replies but more into defending their decision and berating any other views that aren't agreeing with their decision to buy a fridge that they want but most Moho owners would find totally inappropriate or useless.
Got my popcorn out for an interesting (hah) debate

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Apr 27, 2008
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The 500W a day looks very reasonable but is that not 38amps (460w/12v) plus a bit for invertor inefficiency?

You are quite right, my calculator finger must have let me down. So this is quite a bit more but in the summer near the med a 100w panel could give 5A which would require 8 hours of sunshine a day assuming no losses. I think you would need at least 3x100w panels to be safe though, not that is a problem, I have four, also if you do a lot of moving on there will be some charge from the alternator (perhaps a B2B charger would be a good thing)
 
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Triple7

Triple7

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Actually, in reading through the thread, the OP said or definitely appears to suggest he would welcome your views on 3 way fridge but as the messages go on, it becomes clear that the OP isn't interested in the replies but more into defending their decision and berating any other views that aren't agreeing with their decision to buy a fridge that they want but most Moho owners would find totally inappropriate or useless.
Got my popcorn out for an interesting (hah) debate
The reason for asking is I'm looking to buy a Hymer and wondering if I should swap out the fridge. I'm running an all electric system on my off road camper which is working very well but that's an entirely different setup with a different application.
My concern is that in the long run issues will emerge that I have not considered. Have I overlooked something. Everything that has been said so far, I either have considered or is inaccurate in my view. Sorry for coming across as being dogmatic :)
 
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Triple7

Triple7

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You are quite right, my calculator finger must have let me down. So this is quite a bit more but in the summer near the med a 100w panel could give 5A which would require 8 hours of sunshine a day assuming no losses. I think you would need at least 3x100w panels to be safe though, not that is a problem, I have four, also if you do a lot of moving on there will be some charge from the alternator (perhaps a B2B charger would be a good thing)
I don't know how manufacturers do the calculation, possibly some sort of EU standard. My feeling (or maybe hope) is that 500W would be close to the max in hot weather, but you will have more solar too.

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