Quick review of our 3 way Dometic 3 way fridge.
Good time for a review with running back to back 40+deg days, moving about on 12v during that heat, as well as parked up on 240v
We have the 2014 model 150ltr 3 way. The later models are "tropically rated", translating into they are claimed to function in higher temps than the previous models. Im not sure what year this transition occurred.
We left Victor Harbor in the morning in high mild temps, heading north. The temp quickly rose and was 40deg by lunchtime. We arrived in 40deg heat at Tanunda at about 3.30pm. When we arrived the fridge internal temp was 4 deg, but more importantly it was 2 deg lower than the 6 deg it was when we left Victor Harbor. The fridge had happily thrived extremely well in 12v in those trying conditions, and there was a couple of stops where the 12v was disconnected
We were out most of the day today and it was again 40deg most of the day. We're parked up, so the fridge is now on 240v. I left it set on 4 on the dial, and this afternoon when we returned the internal temp was 5 deg.
I have fitted 2 extremely low draw silent fans behind the fridge, and they do make a difference in hot weather, but they arent on when we're towing
The fridge performs better on gas than 240v or 12v, so im not bothered about testing that as the fridge is performing flawlessly in extreme real life conditions on both 240v and 12v.
The 3 way still struggles to recover if its opened too much in the heat. We have an Engel in the car and prepping lunches etc in the morning. We give the 3 way a chop out by using the Engel during the day.
One meal prep using stuff out of the 3 way saw the temp jump 3 deg from opening it, and it took hours to recover.
Compressor fridges may work better, but they cant sit freecamping for 3 weeks without some very serious power backup.
The last few days have proven to me beyond any doubt, managed properly the Dometic 3 way is an awesome fridge, is not bothered by extreme heat, and works brilliantly on 12v whilst travelling in extreme heat
Good time for a review with running back to back 40+deg days, moving about on 12v during that heat, as well as parked up on 240v
We have the 2014 model 150ltr 3 way. The later models are "tropically rated", translating into they are claimed to function in higher temps than the previous models. Im not sure what year this transition occurred.
We left Victor Harbor in the morning in high mild temps, heading north. The temp quickly rose and was 40deg by lunchtime. We arrived in 40deg heat at Tanunda at about 3.30pm. When we arrived the fridge internal temp was 4 deg, but more importantly it was 2 deg lower than the 6 deg it was when we left Victor Harbor. The fridge had happily thrived extremely well in 12v in those trying conditions, and there was a couple of stops where the 12v was disconnected
We were out most of the day today and it was again 40deg most of the day. We're parked up, so the fridge is now on 240v. I left it set on 4 on the dial, and this afternoon when we returned the internal temp was 5 deg.
I have fitted 2 extremely low draw silent fans behind the fridge, and they do make a difference in hot weather, but they arent on when we're towing
The fridge performs better on gas than 240v or 12v, so im not bothered about testing that as the fridge is performing flawlessly in extreme real life conditions on both 240v and 12v.
The 3 way still struggles to recover if its opened too much in the heat. We have an Engel in the car and prepping lunches etc in the morning. We give the 3 way a chop out by using the Engel during the day.
One meal prep using stuff out of the 3 way saw the temp jump 3 deg from opening it, and it took hours to recover.
Compressor fridges may work better, but they cant sit freecamping for 3 weeks without some very serious power backup.
The last few days have proven to me beyond any doubt, managed properly the Dometic 3 way is an awesome fridge, is not bothered by extreme heat, and works brilliantly on 12v whilst travelling in extreme heat
!
