Caravan Refrigerators and what you need to know

Many new to caravanning, and even the seasoned caravanner, make the common mistake that the fridge in your caravan is exactly the same as the one you have at home…However they are very different!

Caravan fridges rely on convection from a heat source to keep them cool where as your household fridge works on a compressor to distribute cooling fluid. Caravan fridges are described as a three way fridge the heat required is generated by a 240 or 12 volt electrical element or a gas powered naked flame. 

Three way refrigerators generally have a long working life and are capable of performing well in all climates. To make sure you get the best out of your caravans’ fridge it pays to understand a few of their characteristics.

The cooling unit in your caravans’ refrigerator is the single most important component.  Ammonia circulates through the cooling tubes to create the cooling effect. One of the most common causes of why a caravan fridge stops functioning is when the tubes carrying the ammonia clog up and thus reduce performance. An old wives tale among caravanners is to simply turn the unit upside down and it will be brought back to life. This may be successful it reviving the fridge and extending its life a little longer however this fix is simply a band-aid solution and will only for a very short time be a solution. The only genuine fix to this problem is to replace the cooling unit. 

The cooling unit produces warm air that must be able to escape to the atmosphere otherwise the performance will be hindered. Below are some points to be aware of to ensure your fridge stays in the best working order possible.

1. There at least 4" (10cm) between the top of the fridge and the bench top above it
2. There should be an effective heat deflector plate between the fridge and the top vent
3. The side of the fridge should be packed with insulation to eliminate any gaps into the cabinet
4. The bottom of the upper vent should be higher than the top of the fridge
5. The vents should be on openable doors
6. Check that an Electrolux flu kit is installed
7. Check that a cooling fan is installed
8. Use a spirit level to ensure your refrigerator is dead level

As like with all appliances if you take a few simple precautions and know how the unit operates you can keep it in good working order.
Here are a few hints and tips to help keep your caravan fridge in perfect working order;

• Before heading away on your trip it is advised to pre cool the fridge overnight before leaving.
• The fridge will take a number of hours to cool to an effective operating temperature.
• Before putting containers into the fridge always wipe any moisture from the outside of containers.
• Did you know that overheating of the cooling unit will impair the fridge performance?
• As the caravan fridge is based on a convention system unless it is precisely level the fridge will not operate. Attempting to operate the fridge when its not level will damage the cooling unit.
• A commonsense rule for caravan fridges is to where possible park the fridge side of the caravan in the shade. This will help maximise cool airflow keeping the unit cool.
• Avoid excessive opening of the fridge in hot climates. Doing so will cherish the cold air in your fridge.
• If you’re in a hot climate why not pack an esky with ice and keep your days drinks cool this way. This will avoid opening and closing the fridge all the time.
• You caravan fridge can be operated using the 12 volt power however may require an Anderson plug if you have a full size fridge. Fitting of the Anderson plug and any wiring you require should only be fitted by trained technicians. Prestige Jayco service technicians can help you with this installation.

By understanding the way your caravan fridge operates you can make sure you get the best performance out of it.