Our 3 way fridge in 2018 seka poptop has stopped working
After checking in gas and 240v, temps dont go down below 19degrees - fridge, 9 degrees (freezer) and the top vent is very warm, it appears our cooling unit has died.
Has anyone experienced this, and if I need to replace the fridge, have others replaced with a similar unit (dometic RM255) or gone to a 12v fridge that fits in the same hole)
erad said
09:49 AM Dec 28, 2025
I had this problem several times. If the fridge doesn't cool on gas or 240 V, it is almost certain that the refrigerant gas has leaked out.
If you are lucky, you may have a vapour lock in the refrigerant gas. If you are handy with tools, you can undo the electrical connections (240 & 12 V), and the gas as well. Then slide the fridge out (mine came inside the van). Turn it upside down and leave it for a few hours. Then invert it to normal mode and try it put. If the gas is still there, the fridge MAY work, but it is doubtful.
I finished up buyimg a new fridge because mine was dead. Go see the bank manager first - they are expensive for what they are. I did look at using a 12 V compressor fridge (much more efficent), but this would have incolved a complete rebuild of the cabinet, so I bought a replacement fridge. Be prepared to spend over $1200 for it. Ouch!
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:01 AM Dec 28, 2025
30 years ago we bought a second hand slide-on that had a 3 way fridge.
I did not even check to see if it worked or not, just pulled it out and replaced it with a compressor fridge.
Do yourself a favor and chuck it out.
Cheers,
Peter
Smith said
12:16 PM Dec 28, 2025
I agree with Peter n Margaret, I have had a number of problems with 3 way fridges over the years .
I therefore replaced the latest one with a bushman compressor fridge which fitted strait into the old fridge cavity, have been using some for the last five years and could not be more pleased with the result.
smith
Brianvicki said
07:39 PM Dec 28, 2025
My dometic is 150litre, what size bushmans did you get and is it easy to swap over providing it fits in the same cabinet
KJB said
08:02 PM Dec 28, 2025
Bushman are an excellent fridge with some of the best/fastest factory back up service I have ever experienced......(the problems I experienced were minor with parts being sent immediately and without question....)
Smith said
08:35 AM Dec 29, 2025
From memory it was a dc85-x an 85 litre they have the dimensions on the web site, the unit fitted into the old fridge space like a glove with enough room for some foam padding on either side for extra insulation, wired into the 12v battery ran new wires as the existing 12v wire seemed rather small also had to have the old gas pipe sealed off (by a professional gas plumber) although there was a tap which turned the gas off ( rather than just leaving the tap off I had the gas properly sealed off for safety and peace of mind) .
Bushmans also have other models and I would imagine the sizes correspond to other fridge dimensions , although that may be a naive assumption.
cheers Smith
Peter_n_Margaret said
09:45 AM Dec 29, 2025
My recommendation would be to choose a model with a remote compressor.
That way you can add extra insulation on the sides, back, top and bottom and completely seal up the rear vents to stop dust entry.
Cheers,
Peter
Our 3 way fridge in 2018 seka poptop has stopped working
After checking in gas and 240v, temps dont go down below 19degrees - fridge, 9 degrees (freezer) and the top vent is very warm, it appears our cooling unit has died.
Has anyone experienced this, and if I need to replace the fridge, have others replaced with a similar unit (dometic RM255) or gone to a 12v fridge that fits in the same hole)
If you are lucky, you may have a vapour lock in the refrigerant gas. If you are handy with tools, you can undo the electrical connections (240 & 12 V), and the gas as well. Then slide the fridge out (mine came inside the van). Turn it upside down and leave it for a few hours. Then invert it to normal mode and try it put. If the gas is still there, the fridge MAY work, but it is doubtful.
I finished up buyimg a new fridge because mine was dead. Go see the bank manager first - they are expensive for what they are. I did look at using a 12 V compressor fridge (much more efficent), but this would have incolved a complete rebuild of the cabinet, so I bought a replacement fridge. Be prepared to spend over $1200 for it. Ouch!
I did not even check to see if it worked or not, just pulled it out and replaced it with a compressor fridge.
Do yourself a favor and chuck it out.
Cheers,
Peter
I therefore replaced the latest one with a bushman compressor fridge which fitted strait into the old fridge cavity, have been using some for the last five years and could not be more pleased with the result.
smith
My dometic is 150litre, what size bushmans did you get and is it easy to swap over providing it fits in the same cabinet
Bushman are an excellent fridge with some of the best/fastest factory back up service I have ever experienced......(the problems I experienced were minor with parts being sent immediately and without question....)
Bushmans also have other models and I would imagine the sizes correspond to other fridge dimensions , although that may be a naive assumption.
cheers Smith
That way you can add extra insulation on the sides, back, top and bottom and completely seal up the rear vents to stop dust entry.
Cheers,
Peter