We have a new starcraft with the standard 3 way fridge, it is struggling to pull temp even when set on the max, the rear is getting hot buit it doesnt seem to be cooling too well. any ideas
Thanks
Thanks
New Star Craft but fridge struggles
- Thread starter collinandkerry
- Start date
@collinandkerry are you running it on 240v, gas or 12v ? They work well on 240v & gas, but will only maintain temperature on 12v, they wont really cool.
Is the van completely level ?
Is the van completely level ?
Before you chuck it in the bin remove the vent panels and just have a look and see if the fridge has been fitted correctly, that means no gaps around the fridge, there should be no more than 25mm clearance from wall to cooling fins, the idea being that air comes in at the bottom and flows thru the fins then exits out the top vent, it shouldn't be able to swirl around, you want the air to flow quickly thru, so the rear of the fridge should be totally isolated from everything else, cable runs should be plugged as well.
Mine was open to a big space above the fridge and was a food warmer till I closed it in, I then added a couple of computer fans to help pull the air thru and it's now a fridge/freezer, on 12v it just holds the temp though. On 240 mine will be down to -4 in a matter of hours .
Poorly fitted fridges seems to be a common fault. If you have to mod it it is easy to do.
Mine was open to a big space above the fridge and was a food warmer till I closed it in, I then added a couple of computer fans to help pull the air thru and it's now a fridge/freezer, on 12v it just holds the temp though. On 240 mine will be down to -4 in a matter of hours .
Poorly fitted fridges seems to be a common fault. If you have to mod it it is easy to do.
They should be able to fix it, if brand new. Our fridge freezes everything and now realise it has to be on setting 3 or 4. All our vegetables were freezing it was awful.
The newer, certainly current Dometic fridges, are tropical rated and will deal with quite high temperatures. I was considering optioning in a Waeco 12v in the new van and I spoke to the Dometic techs about the pros and cons of 3 way "v" 12v compressor. The specs he gave me, for my type of camping, rated the 3 way as a better option than the compressor units.
The 3 ways are a better and more efficient offering than they used to be.
The 3 ways are a better and more efficient offering than they used to be.
It all depends what idiot fitted them, I've looked at a couple of new jobs and they weren't installed properly, the thing is they usually have the instruction on a sticker on the fridge....................a 3 way fitted correctly is great on gas and 240, lame on 12v but why use it on 12v anyway, I have found an Engel will use less power than a Waeco but both are great in vehicle fridges but you need a good 12v source, solar or a genny.
If your fridge isn't turning tomatoes into ice blocks over setting 5 you have problems.
If your fridge isn't turning tomatoes into ice blocks over setting 5 you have problems.