Hi All, my caravan fridge was not cooling too well this summer so as it is 13 yrs old I decided to get a new one. I bought a small Dometic, the direct replacement for what I had. Had it fitted, and it was sooo loud. I rang Dometic and they said the new burners are very efficient, run on LPG from a garage, but are loud, I couldn't even sit in my caravan with it on so I had it taken out and Rainbow conversions were kind enough to give me most of my money back.
Has anyone else got a new fridge that is loud?
I have to say that in the caravans and now a motorhome I have owned I have never been aware of the fridge making any noise on gas unless I stood outside next to the vents. Is it OK on electric which admittedly is what we run ours on most of the time.
I can't see how a fridge burner can be loud, its only a tiny flame with little gas consumption. The only cause I can think of is flue ventilation to exterior was setting up a resonance causing a noise which might have been cured by altering flue vent. What fridge are you using now?
Unless you really need to run your fridge of Gas why not replace it with a compressor type that runs of 12v and Mains, I am sure others will agree that a compressor fridge will perform better than a 3 way in very hot climates.
I know that compressor fridges are installed in the VW California as standard, as they are almost silent when running, with the compressor only cutting in to keep the fridge Tempreture in check.
hmm, thanks for the comments, I had the fridge checked by a Dometic engineer, he said "you got a loud one", spoke extensively to Dometic and they said the new burners are loud, I don't know when they bought in the new burner?? I only stay on sites with no hook up so need it to run on gas.
I read a lot of reviews on here about compressor fridges, cos that is what I would have liked, but all said need many large batteries to run one?? Is that right.
I am going to fix my old fridge, new door, service burner etc. Any tips on burner servicing?
Thanks, Jane.
The burner flue needs to be visually checked to ensure it has not rusted through which can cause it to catch fire. The burner needs to be clean & usual way is to blast out with air line if you have one otherwise clean with brush & meths. Flue needs blowing out as well to ensure no trapped debris like dead insects.
I'm assuming thermocouple is ok? If this goes faulty burner will not stay alight as this is safety device to cut of gas if flame goes out for some reason.
While fridge is out leave it inverted for an hour as this can help mix separated coolant & fridge might get colder when re installed but otherwise if an old fridge is not cooling well it can be coolant has leaked out due to rusty pipes. Check for brown gunge around back of fridge. If coolant has leaked then fridge is scrap, I'm afraid.
A compressor fridge might run a day or so on fully charged battery but if you are staying more than about one night on sites with no EHU then stick with gas.
thanks for advice re servicing,
Otherwise I will have to check any replacement fridge I buy is quiet.
I am often away for 3 nights so a compressor fridge wont cope. Thanks for confirming that.
Jane
We have a compressor fridge Waeco CF25, and the small leisure battery we have powers it for well over 6 days of our 3 week trip to the South East off France during July, without even needing to be recharged.
When on the main campsite we use a Mobicool C40 mains only compressor portable fridge. The Waeco is just used for the 1000 mile drive to the campsite, and return journey and for day trips.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: dometic caravan fridge
