How to operate a 3 way AES Fridge

A detailed review on how to operate your AES (Automatic Energy Selecting) 3 way fridge. 3 way refers to the fridge being able to operate on Gas, 240 volt or 12 volt from the tow vehicles alternator.

[@rossdrayton5476]

Excellent advice. Many Thanks

[@2019freddie]

very helpful buddy, cheers

[@grahamwelch2338]

Hi, can you tell me of any way to fix a fridge that will not change to 12v DC when mains power is disconnected?

[@dalehodge5629]

HI Graham, if it is an AES (automatic energy selecting) fridge and the control panel is set to A for automatic then it should switch over. If it doesn't there could be a fault and you would need to take it to an authorised repairer. Regards Ben

[@RustyCandyAdventures]

That's not true. It's a heating element that heats the ammonia the same as mains power. The problem is there no control circuit for 12volts and will keep going down in temp until battery starts going flat. The best thing is look on CZcams. Fit a relay from 12 volts to element with temp controller. This will prevent battery drain to zero. Next on the live side of 12 volts tap off 12volts to the control board keep aes going.

[@dalehodge5629]

Hi Rusty, As mentioned in the video the 12 volt reference for an absorption fridge means 12 volt from your tow vehicle not the RV's house battery. The 12 volt element draws a lot of power and will flatten a stand alone battery in no time at all. You can however run a compressor fridge from the RV house battery.

[@RustyCandyAdventures]

@@dalehodge5629 from dometic rm2356 wiring the rv battery or caravan battery can run the heating element. Check the wiring. The best is to have two dc to dc converter. When voltage reach a set voltage it will disconnect. So car battery will disconnect leaving enough to start engine. Same should be in rv. This will save the life span. Next if you add a relay to element with temp controller it will switch in and out and not run it all the time. There is a lot of people writing about compressor fridges running in tropic and the amount of gas these fridges use is little. Here in Australia. It can be hot. 50 degrees c in some places. No 240 volts and days of clouds. Or even clouds one min next rain. Not been able to charge batteries. Tell me how do you run your compressor fridge where the next town 500km away and battery flat and not aloud to run a generator. It's not about been rude to anyone. It's about information sharing. Thanks Russell

[@dalehodge5629]

Hi Rusty. If you run a compressor fridge the first thing before hitting the road is to make sure you have enough batteries and enough solar panels to ensure you have power, allowing for a few overcast days. Worst case scenario, all you need to do is attach the van to the car and let the vehicles alternator charge the batteries back up.