RM2350 Dometic/Fridgedair.

palaceboy · Veteran Member

RM2350 Dometic/Fridgedair.

swamp · Senior Member

HI
last time I looked only not all of the fridges are available in tropical versions .
Rough guess 4.5kg would last a week .

If u go 3way u need it to be installed exactly as maker requests
--rear of fridge clearance to wall is critical
--- vent location top and bottom critical

In nearly all cases a duct from the condenser to the top vent is recommended.
Fans located inside duct operated automatically on /off by thermal switch .

You have limited roof space for solar so 3 way would be a good idea . This would leave all the solar for other electrical accessories .

To run a [optional 12 v 2way fridge and lotsa accessories . Solar requirements would be at least 160W --200 watt solar for every 100-120ah of battery.

2 batteries 240Ah
around 400watt solar
common setup it seems for many vans

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Imo . A 3 way is GREAT for a week or two away two or three times a year . Just up or down the coast where you live . Again my opinion . When your away for weeks , months I find the two way is much better ., Especially in temp control . Gas bottles are not cheap away from cities . When we looked at prices . There wasnt that much difference in purchase price ( 180 to 220litre ) The wireing to three way is way big enough for compressor fridge ., An extra 200 watt solar wont hurt .

palaceboy · Veteran Member

Thanks, Guys :) Maybe If I stay at a powered site every 3 days or so, this will alleviate some of the 3-way issues?

IF I go for Solar, I may as well invest properly in it and strip the solar aspect, battery and inverter and panels back out if and when and if I move on to a van etc.

Decisions decisions.

Rod Mac · Veteran Member

palaceboy wrote:
My old RM2350 has gone, I've removed it, done the turn upside down thing for weeks actually and come to the conclusion despite its death rattle gurgling that it's definitely karked it.

It needs replacing question is do I upgrade to compressor two way and invest in solar and a 200AH battery on our Hiace pop top camper or do I just replace with a 3 way.

The only other thing I would need a decent off-grid electric supply for would be my media and computing peripherals and Lighting of course...... So just need a bit of reassurance that I'm better off replacing like for like and sticking with the 3-way system and getting an upgraded tropical rated RM2350 modern version.

If I do stick with 3 way, how long do those 4.5 Kg gas bottles generally last on a 90L fridge?

I'd love to run an induction cooktop actually, but I've been researching and the investment in battery and inverter you would need for that seems way out of proportion for my set up..... Dammit.

I think it's definitely a case of keeping it simple at this stage eh?

-- Edited by palaceboy on Sunday 30th of September 2018 07:50:19 AM

Before you go and spend on anything new, just check that you are actually getting a full flow of gas, the rubber inside of the flexible hoses to the regulator will perish over time and block said hose thus not allowing the pilot light to do it's job , happened to my daughter, new hose and bingo worked properly.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Palaceboy,
I wasn't certain that a "Tropical T" 3way fridge existed. I live in the tropics (Townsville) & every 3way fridge that is sold in Jayco vans is a "S" rated unit. the dealers had not heard of T rated fridges!

However after modifying the unit in my Eagle camper, I discovered something in Dometic's website that a T fridge has one or two fans fitted to the top rear of the fridge. On my Eagle, I added a computer fan at the top wired to pull the hot air up & another at the bottom to blow the heat up towards the top. I think the fans were 120mm. I also added shade cloth shades on the fridge side of the van.

I like the three way as it gives quite a versatile unit without having to worry about sun, solar panels, power, heavy batteries, etc but some members here might disagree with me.
And as highlighted by Rod Mac, replace any gas carrying rubber hoses regularly if changing them to copper tube is unsafe due to vibration.

Desert Dweller · Guru

We have the same Dometic fridge as you, it's been a real pain in the butt.

It's broken down twice on 240v & twice on gas, total cost around $900.

We had a fan fitted to assist with hot air extraction & a sail track fitted with a 90% shade all along the fridge side of the caravan.

It's STILL a pain in the butt, if the temperature hits 30 degrees it just can't cope.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

It's always around 30 degrees or more here Keith. That's why we live in Townsville with its 300 days of sunshine. It's just a bit "Tropical" between November & mid April.
When we had the camper & before I did the modifications, I contacted Dometic & found they suggested more room should be allowed above the fridge. I'll see if I can find the email.

T1 Terry · Guru

Hi Palaceboy if you're still with us. Have you considered a 240vac fridge/freezer like this www.palsonic.com.au/product_sales/refrigeration/pw91dbf.htm Sadly they are not digital inverter driven compressors so their power consumption isn't as good as a modern 220ltr plus fridge freezer, but not all that bad really. Working the yrly consumption backwards and adding 10% loss for an inverter, they use rough 80Ah per 24hr. The price difference between one of these and a 3 way fridge plus gas fitter installation charges or a 12v compressor fridge that will still struggle in the heat will go a long way toward lithium batteries and enough solar to become a freedom camper no longer tied to the caravan parks. You could then add an duction cook top, a coffee machine, an air fryer, what ever 240vac appliance you want as long as you have room to store them. The combination of a slow cooker and a pie maker seems to be popular addition for solo travellers who have gone lithium/solar, but you do need somewhere to store the frozen batches so you have ready made meals and desserts made from fruit bought cheap at the roadside stalls.

T1 Terry

palaceboy · Veteran Member

T1 Terry wrote:
Hi Palaceboy if you're still with us. Have you considered a 240vac fridge/freezer like this www.palsonic.com.au/product_sales/refrigeration/pw91dbf.htm Sadly they are not digital inverter driven compressors so their power consumption isn't as good as a modern 220ltr plus fridge freezer, but not all that bad really. Working the yrly consumption backwards and adding 10% loss for an inverter, they use rough 80Ah per 24hr. The price difference between one of these and a 3 way fridge plus gas fitter installation charges or a 12v compressor fridge that will still struggle in the heat will go a long way toward lithium batteries and enough solar to become a freedom camper no longer tied to the caravan parks. You could then add an duction cook top, a coffee machine, an air fryer, what ever 240vac appliance you want as long as you have room to store them. The combination of a slow cooker and a pie maker seems to be popular addition for solo travellers who have gone lithium/solar, but you do need somewhere to store the frozen batches so you have ready made meals and desserts made from fruit bought cheap at the roadside stalls.

T1 Terry

That is great information, it's definitely something I hadn't considered and given me food for thought. I certainly hadn't envisaged running a 240 Volt system totally on the road, and I can see the merit in it as well, especially with the cost saving etc towards lithium etc. Lithium also solves a bit of a weight issue I may be getting myself into with the 200AH AGM I was considering. I definitely want to go Lithium, didn't think It would be worth fitting my van out with it, but this way has distinct advantages. So glad I raised this issue on here and very thankful to you for giving me an avenue to explore. I've already bought a stand alone Induction cooktop, we also have one in our main kitchen at home I really think they are great. However the Induction cooktop I bought didn't have the varying wattage control I thought it had, it runs at 2400 or thereabouts in short bursts, so may have to invest in one with control by the wattage rather than the timed bursts. I'll probably go thermal cookware instead of slow cooker. As for the Coffee....Got an Aero Press ;) So I'm really on the way. Also considering a projector rather than a TV and decent net coverage rather than a TV antenna, especially now Freeview broadcasts live tv.

Really appreciate this feedback, we've got a store close by in Preston Melbourne that specialises in complete off-grid travelling systems so may well price one after this news. Cant believe I didn't think of running off of only 240V....Easy solution. Nice one.

Cheers Mate :)

T1 Terry · Guru

Did a lithium upgrade for friends in a Hi van around 18mths back. They live in it full time, well he lives in it full time now, his lady friend bought her own, then got a housing trust flat, it's just him in now and says he has never looked back ... well as far as the battery goes anyway :lol:

Just be aware, if anyone suggests adding 2 x 12v lithium batteries to be connected up in parallel, just like the lead acid batteries that came out, look else where, they don't have a clue. If they suggest a charging peak of 14.4v or 14.8v, look else where because they don't have a clue either.
Lithium batteries are a very different breed to lead acid batteries and require a whole lot of knowledge that has nothing to do with the old battery knowledge, the two learning do not swap over at all. The only thing in common is the voltage and even that is a bit different. A lithium battery ranges from 13.8v full to 11.8v fully discharged, a lead acid battery no matter what type range from 12.8v down to 10.5v fully discharged. !00% of the capacity can be drawn from a lithium battery before the 12v mark is reached, only 50% from a new fully charge lead acid battery and that gets less as it ages.

T1 Terry

Muskat55 · Veteran Member

T1 Terry wrote:
Did a lithium upgrade for friends in a Hi van around 18mths back. They live in it full time, well he lives in it full time now, his lady friend bought her own, then got a housing trust flat, it's just him in now and says he has never looked back ... well as far as the battery goes anyway :lol:

Just be aware, if anyone suggests adding 2 x 12v lithium batteries to be connected up in parallel, just like the lead acid batteries that came out, look else where, they don't have a clue. If they suggest a charging peak of 14.4v or 14.8v, look else where because they don't have a clue either.
Lithium batteries are a very different breed to lead acid batteries and require a whole lot of knowledge that has nothing to do with the old battery knowledge, the two learning do not swap over at all. The only thing in common is the voltage and even that is a bit different. A lithium battery ranges from 13.8v full to 11.8v fully discharged, a lead acid battery no matter what type range from 12.8v down to 10.5v fully discharged. !00% of the capacity can be drawn from a lithium battery before the 12v mark is reached, only 50% from a new fully charge lead acid battery and that gets less as it ages.

T1 Terry

Hi Terry

I read your comments about the 12v Lithium batteries in parallel and the comment on charging parameters. Would you elaborate briefly on what the problems are with these claims? Itech in WA is making just these claims for a 120Ah LiFePO4 battery they are selling for $849 each. The price is tempting, but I am wary when something sounds a bit too good to be true that is a direct replacement for lead/acid technology.