Fridges in vans 2

[Pedro_The_Swift]

It seems the 240v element in our Dometic is cactus,, and after 24 hours on gas it only got down to 11 degrees,, [ I dont even want to talk about the 12v performance]
so at an estimate of around $200 to fix just the 240v part I'm seriously considering throwing the thing in a large bin and buying an upright Engal.
3.2a max draw. can run it ANYWHERE ANYTIME and with solar it costs nothing.
http://www.engelaustralia.com.au/cgi-bin/product.cgi?item_id=str100f&item_string=&category=Upright%20Fridge%20%2F%20Freezers

anyone have an upright Engal?
anyone think Dometics are fabulous?

[rick130]

Something wrong there, if I was closer I'd have a look at it for you.

I'd pull it out (the fridge ! :p ) and give it a shake up. (specific instructions to follow ;) )

[edit] instructions here http://www.aulro.com/afvb/1521199-post10.html (and further in that thread removal hints and performance after a shake up)


IIRC it was tip onto the boiler side first (the big vertical cylinder) and wait till you hear the gurgling stop, then tip onto the top, again wait till the gurgling stops, tip onto the other side, again wait until the noise stops, then tip back onto the top, tip at a 45* angle and shake it like all buggery, wait till the gurgling stops then tip back onto the boiler side, wait, then back upright.

Wait again until all gurgling has ceased, then turn on.

[weeds]

A mate of mine has a two way in his van and swears by it, hasn't had any troubles.

Just remember you will now have a compressor cutting in and out during the night........you might need a few more blondes to put you asleep

[Brian]

G'day Pedro,

Yes I also did the 240V element in my Dometic, possible power surge when at home, cost $212, from local caravan repairer. Fridge has to be removed from van to replace.
I am fairly satisfied with the Dometic.
You must have something wrong with the gas and 12V as mine works quite well on all 3 power sources.
regards,
Brian

[Graeme]

Mine is a WIP. It was barely working even on gas even though the boiler gets quite hot on all 3 sources so pulled it out, tipped it upside down for a while then put it back - now it doesn't work at all! I'll try Rick130's sequence over the next few days so see if I can get it working properly.

[TerryO]

I'd prefer a compressor fridge then a 3-way knowing what I know now, but even with 270w's of good quality panels that we already have I wouldn't be game to drive a decent size compressor fridge (at least 150 litres)and power the house battery's. If I added at least another 120w panel and larger battery's and a different regulator that separates the house battery from the fridge battery then I would have confidence that I had a good set up.

Most 3-ways don't work well because they aren't sealed up tight when fitted so the heat doesn't rise up through the heaxt exchanger behind the fridge. Sealing them up properly and making sure they are insulated well is a good start. Fitting a small extractor fan at the top of the fridge works well as will a small battery powered circulation fan in the fridge to get rid of the hot and cold zones.

I also have just added a external small awning that covers the area where the fridge is fitted when camping so the sun doesn't heat that area of the van during the day. It makes a real difference.

Next time round though I will get a compressor fridge and not bugger round with a 3-way.

cheers,
Terry

[Lotz-A-Landies]

If it's a three way, leveling is critical, both ways, the coils need to rise evenly with no high spots, lest you get heat entrapment and potential for a rupture.

People will tell you that leveling isn't critical and that they have never had a problem but the fact is not leveling is a failure waiting to happen. My camper had a inherant lack of level for the fridge mounting and found out to my disadvantage.

So check your level both ways and see if it corrects the problem. 3-Way Refrigerators/ Freezers - Dometic (http://www.dometic.com/enau/Asia-Pacific/Australia/Customer-Center/Fault-Finding/3-Way-Refrigerators-Freezers/)

I now have a 2 way 240V/12-24V upright Engel.

[incisor]

just buy an engel...

you wont be sorry :p

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Last day in camp,,
and the only let down has been the useless Dometic.
(big effort was made to level the van)
Very happy with the Golf Tourer GTX MKIII,,(:D)
and astonished with the D2:eek:

[rick130]

But have you given it a shake up ? :D

[Graeme]

Only this morning I came to the conclusion that the very poor performance of the fridge in my late '80s pop-top is due to warm air in the cabinate space, not the fridge itself. The cabinet allows warm air around both sides and over the top, with even the deflector at the top rear trapping warm air behind it. The freezer was icing-up on 240V at half setting after only 30 minutes so there's nothing wrong with the refrigeration unit, just that the fridge walls were getting hot preventing the inside from cooling. Its time to fit something to keep the warm air away from the sides and top - perhaps just thick sponge will do the trick. An exhaust fan might also be useful.

[rick130]

[snip]

An exhaust fan might also be useful.

A few people fit 12V computer type fans, seems to help. ;)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

it already has one,,,

I suppose I could swap it for one with bright red LED's---;)

it pumps out enough hot air,,
The dometic is just cumbersome inconvenient and not at all set and forget.

its gone.

[Graeme]

A few people fit 12V computer type fans, seems to help. ;)One of my sons suggested such a fan on the condensor but my thought is for a general exhaust fan to get the hot air out of the cavity.

Pedro,
With what will it be replaced?

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Hopefully Graeme,
one of these---
Engel Australia - Portable Fridge-Freezers (http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&drKey=838&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aulro.com%2Fafvb%2Ftrailers-vans-campers%2F141198-fridges-vans-2-a.html&v=1&libid=1325399766751&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.engelaustralia.com.au%2Fcgi-bin%2Fproduct.cgi%3Fitem_id%3Dstr100f%26item_strin g%3D%26category%3DUpright%2520Fridge%2520%252F%252 0Freezers&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aulro.com%2Fafvb%2Fshowthread .php%3Fp%3D1600389&title=Fridges%20in%20vans%202%20-%20Australian%20Land%20Rover%20Owners&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.engelaustralia.com.au%2Fcgi.. .%252F%2520Freezers&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13253997703151)

[Graeme]

That appears to be just a fridge without a freezer, which would be OK if a seperate freezer such as a car fridge is on hand.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

However these are Fridge/freezers Engel Australia - Portable Fridge-Freezers (http://www.engelaustralia.com.au/cgi-bin/products.cgi?category=Upright%20Fridge%20/%20Freezers)

And this the one I bought for my camper which fitted in the same hole as the dead 3 way

http://www.engelaustralia.com.au/images/products/images/st90f.jpg

http://www.engelaustralia.com.au st90 Fridge Freezers (http://www.engelaustralia.com.au/cgi-bin/product.cgi?item_id=st90f&item_string=&category=Upright%20Fridge%20%2F%20Freezers)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Unless we are away for more than 3 or 4 days I cant see the need for a tiny freezer,(yes we still have the engal car fridge, but are NOT planning on taking it--), its just a waste of fridge space.

[CraigE]

A few people fit 12V computer type fans, seems to help. ;)
This shows how
DREAMPOD II FRIDGE FAN (http://www.dreampod.net/boroma/fridgefan.html)
All parts available from Jaycar.
I set up 2 and by golly you feel it pull out the heat.
Still not overkeen on the Dometic, takes way to long to chill down and on 12v draws way too much power. Mine is only 2 years old put may still pull it out and see if the shake it up trick helps any. It does get cold but can take a long time. Having said that I now have an EU20 Generator so may run it on 240v initially and then switch over to gas and see if that helps.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

A 3 way fridge will always be less efficient than a 2 way fridge because of the inefficiencies of using a heater element to generate cold, particularly if you then have to add additional cooling fans, using more power.

[Graeme]

may still pull it out and see if the shake it up trick helps any.
If you can get to touch the various pipes when its been running for half an hour on 240V you can determine if the fluid and gas is circulating properly (no blockages and still has its charge) by the temperature of the various parts, as per the service manual.