Electrical Thetford Fridge on Gas

Rendaz

New Member
Nov 15, 2016
11
8
3
Sydney
Hi, I have a 18.56.2 2016 and for the first time today I decided to run the fridge on gas to see how it goes.

The question I have is when the fridge hits the set temperature required is the gas flame meant to go out and reignite when needed automatically or meant to stay on all the time. Also, roughly how long are people getting out of their gas bottles when running the fridge and hot system of the gas?
 

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
13,018
19,778
113
QLD
The small flame stays on all the time to keep the fridge running, Google how they work is the easiest way to answer why.

If you have a look in your fridge manual it will tell you how many Joules an hour it will burn, if you haven't then armed with your fridge model go to the Dometic site and download one, then go here http://www.elgas.com.au/blog/392-how-long-will-a-bbq-gas-bottle-last and with calculator in hand do the math.
I work on the bottle lasting me between 8 and 10 days with the fridge running continuously, HWS about 45mins/day and throw in a few joules for the stove as we cook mostly on the weber with a seperate bottle. Tested that in real world so should be pretty right.
Don't leave the HWS on all the time though it only runs when the temp drops, the burner will ignite and run till it reaches temp then shut down, there is no pilot light for the Fridge or the HWS.
There is another thread with this and more info.
 

jazzeddie1234

Well-Known Member
May 19, 2016
660
804
93
Mandurah
I can hear the fridge burner start and stop during the day. I get about 14 days freecamping on 8.5kgs of gas. That's fridge on 3, 1 meal cooked on the hobs and occasional 15mins of hot water system.
My fridge came with fans and i use them often on the assumption it improves efficiency and reduces gas usage. And on hot days of course to keep fridge cold
 

mikerezny

Well-Known Member
Sep 11, 2016
1,630
2,728
113
Mount Waverley, VIC
Hi,
we have a Dometic 90l fridge RM2350. When on gas, there is always a small gas pilot burning. The temperature control on the front of the fridge works with a thermostat on the cooling fins inside the fridge to determine when to turn on the main gas jet, which is then lit by the gas pilot.

In warmer weather we got 20-21 days per 9kg bottle. Only fridge and some cooking, no hws.
In the colder weather we got 25 days out of a 9kg bottle.

I have a fan on the top external vent, a shade cloth to keep the sun off the off-side of the van, and have insulated all around the back of the fridge to stop hot air getting into the top and sides of the fridge.

cheers
Mike
 
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