More 3-way Woes..

[DoGMAtix]

We just bought a 10 yr old camper (Hallmark) with its original 3+ cu ft Dometic 3-way fridge/freezer. Would have gone with a compressor fridge and solar if we built up a new camper, and we're prepared to make the switch at any point if the 3-way gives us trouble. However, so far it seems to be working great (guess we got one of the good 50%). Keeps food fresh in the fridge and frozen in the freezer. Didn't notice any problems parked overnight on a slight incline, or going up/down steep hills on jeep roads. Temps weren't very hot, but probably won't be most places we go - I guess we'll see what happens when we hit the Utah canyon country in the spring. I'm looking forward to a solar installation project, but not the cost. We've got a good set of batteries that keep up with our electrical needs with minimal driving and no plugging in, so as long as the fridge keeps doing its job we'll keep putting it off.

 

[Cayuse]

I turned on my 2-way CR1065 the week before Memorial day weekend, It's been running ever since.

I just set it, fill it and forget it, even with the truck not being driven for over 3 weeks in July. 2-way + twin batteries and 350W of solar has simply revolutionized what I can expect from my setup.

This comes close to my compressor fridge experience. I put the camper on in February, started running the fridge full time in March when I made a trip south and it has been going ever since. 200W of solar on top and two group 31 batteries. Didn't even hook the camper up to the truck this year and no issues.

 

[JaSAn]

This is the fan I use as an exhaust fan:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BEZKX8Y?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

it draws 0.1 amps when running. It is connected to a thermal switch located in the compartment in back of the refrigerator:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026RSBUQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Being the bright bugger that I am, I would forget to turn the fan on (or off).

My refrigerator has run all summer, keeping the interior at 34°F and the freezer at just above 0° on 200 W solar/208 AH battery without problems (97°F max outside temps).

Another point: Any refrigerator will be more efficient with less air in the frig. Keep it full of stuff. I add water bottles in as my food supplies dwindle. Makes a BIG difference in how often the refrig runs.

jim