Jump to content

3 Way or Compressor Fridge - Undecided


petdav30

Recommended Posts

Need to make a decision on which type of fridge/freezer to have installed, 3 Way or compressor type. I've googled this to check out the pro's and con's of each type and I'm still undecided. What's the opinion of the users out there?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

From our our personal experience, we prefer the three way option. Saves carrying a generator, extra fuel, noise factor when using the geni. There are good and bad points for both.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you decide to go with the 3 way, make sure you get a motor home roof vent fitted for the fridge. I think Jayco are fitting them as standard these days. Had one installed when the van was built and have no complaints about the performance of the fridge. Basically it allows the heat from the fridge to rise straight up through the ceiling, so no fans are needed to try and shift the heat.

May pay to research the model of the 3 way fridge as Dometic released a new range of fridges 2 years ago and going by the Jayco forum they had heaps of problems.

Den and Col

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We recently bought a XC3 16' and part of our decision process was which fridge. We previously in another brand of van had a 3 way Thetford 90l fridge it was a pain in the neck, it leaked fumes around the fridge when on gas, on two occasions in high winds when camped the flame went out, it could be a pain to light the flame for absorption mode. Also had to remember to turn from 12V to gas when stopping for the day or you got a flat van battery and it worked well in cold weather, but not so good in real hot weather. We have also heard the automatic turing on 3 way fridges sometimes don't turn on automatically and you have to manually start them. Also they have had a recall for one brand because they would light the gas randomly while on 12V, not good in a service station.

 

Based on our previous experience with a 3 way we went for the Waco compressor fridge and Kedron wisely insisted we have an extra solar panel (150W) and at least 200Ah of battery (we got a Lithium battery). So far it has been great, no real bother, no fumes or naked flame, lots of space and really keeps everything cool, a little ice build up in the freezer, but this is manageable.

 

We find overnight our fridge plus lights, TV etc uses about 10% of battery capacity with 300W of solar it is replaced usually by about mid to late morning, or if we move the DC to DC converter charges it to full in less than a couple of hours driving. Even on cloudy days we get some solar charging. We have considered buying a 1Kw Yamaha generator to charge caravan battery just in case . We have not come close to needing one and therefore have deferred generator purchase, maybe indefinitely. 

 

We are very pleased with the compressor fridge  and would not go back to a 3 way. The Waco is quiet, reliable and safe. Kedron have the fridge wired on a seperate breaker which when travelling we leave on all the time and the rest of the caravan 12v load is turned off while driving at the adjoining breaker. The extra solar panel and larger battery is also a great bonus as the fridge load is more than compensated for by the extra panel and we have lots of power for most things we need. Maybe we will get an additional  folding solar panel or eventually the generator, but so far no need.

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...