Benefits of a 3-way Refrigerator | Why a Propane Refrigerator Can Be an Advantage
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- A propane refrigerator in your RV is quiet, efficient and helps to offload power draw from your battery.
** More about this video **
It seems like absorption or 3-way refrigerators in RVs are getting a bum rap lately. Opponents call them old, inefficient, dangerous and inconvenient. And to be honest there is truth in what they say. However, there's one big reason why having a 3-way refrigerator in your RV isn't the worst thing in the world: power draw or specifically lack of it with respect to your coach batteries.
A compressor refrigerator draws off your battery (or shore power if you're plugged in) to run a compressor to keep your refrigerator cold. While Danfoss compressors are pretty efficient they do require energy to operate. Depending on the ambient temperature outside and the temperature you have set inside the refrigerator the duty cycle for a compressor refrigerator may be between 25% to 100%. That means the compressor is running 25% up to 100% of the time. At 3 to 5 amps to run the compressor that amount adds up.
If you're not plugged into shore power and are running completely off your batteries your batteries will deplete themselves over time. Recharging them with solar panels helps but only if its sunny outside. Take a look at this video from Lichtsinn RV testing how long a Winnebago Travato is able to power a compressor refrigerator off batteries and a single solar panel: only about 4 days before the batteries are drawn to under 50% - and that's in optimal conditions with no other power usage and bright, sunny days.
• Lichtsinn.com - How lo...
This is where an absorption or 3-way propane driven refrigerator is useful. Taking a look at the propane usage chart for Pleasureway vans we can see that the 3-way refrigerator in the Ascent only consumes .009 gallons of propane an hour. That's a tiny amount. Leaving the refrigerator on for 4 days would consume less than a gallon of propane while leaving me with all my battery power to power other things like my electronic devices, microwave, tv and lights.
That allows me to boondock longer without having to worry about my batteries or driving the van in order to top off the batteries again. With a 3-way refrigerator I don't have to worry so much about my energy usage. Yes, I have to refill the propane every now and again but that's a minor inconvenience compared to having to constantly monitor my battery levels while I'm camping.
Depending on how you plan on using your van should inform whether a 3-way or compressor refrigerator is right for you. There's no one right answer but having the choice and making the right choice for your RV lifestyle is what's important.
** Links **
Propane usage chart for Pleasureway vans:
drive.google.c...
Hi Neil, Rory again.... I have to keep reminding myself that you are coming @ the subjects you tackle from a point of view of a sprinter van owner. I have only spent 3 weeks in a rented sprinter, so my experience is limited. But for other than sprinters (larger RV's regardless of class), I would suggest going the all electric route. One: it removes the safety issues surrounding the use of LP. Two residential fridges are better insulated so they stay cold longer and more efficiently, (especially if U r not running in and out of the fridge). Three: It removes the necessity of being anal about parking level from a safety standpoint, since absorption refridgerators are the predominate reason for parking level, other than comfort. Four: A larger RV will have a greater capacity for powering electronic devices & charging batteries. Lastly: Refridgerators don't run constantly once they have reached the set temp, they only run a few mins at a time to maintain temp. Remember you asked me to keep you honest.....LOL
Thanks, Rory ;-) Yes this video is more about balancing out the plethora of videos that are pro-compressor and giving a voice to why one might want to consider a 3-way for vans. Thanks for sharing!
You made some interesting points. I do not want to be dependent on finding level parking for my fridge to work. This has been an issue in places like San Francisco. You say that propane fridges need level ground. But so do residential fridges don't they? If you transport a residential fridge to your home, you have to let it sit in place overnight to let the cooling liquids settle into place before running. Is that not the same thing as being on level ground?
this was very informative and intresting to know how little consumption of propane they use. I actually have been very satisfied with mine over the past 2 years. No issues, runs and cools great.
me too but i'm not in hot and humid weather and it seems to work just fine. i'll have to test it this summer in Manteca, CA where the inland valley gets up to 100 degrees.
You've made a compelling argument in favor of an RV component that I was dead set against. Touche'.
hi, Jennifer. well i don't mean to sway you. if you live in a really hot climate then a compressor refrigerator may be best because they tend to cool better in really hot climates. but if you go this way make sure you have at least 300 watts of solar and preferably 200 amp hours of lithium ion batteries. if you like in a more mild climate then a 3-way refrigerator will do you just fine and you'll have all that extra energy for other things like power hungry devices, microwaving and pots of steaming hot coffee!
Now that was very nicely presented. I wasn’t privy to the chart and didn’t realize what an efficient little unit an absorption fridge is. Thank you for the enlightenment. I too am an engineer and like to keep things simple and elegant and I can see why you selected the coach you did with the equipment you have. Once again very nicely done thank you.
OK, but my problem isn't with how much propane or energy they use but how cold they get. When I've had one I've always tried to keep it on propane as much as possible just because of the low energy demands but I spend most of my time in the southwest desert and they just don't keep things cold in this environment.
Three-way refrigerator temps are relative to the actual outdoor temperature. Most of the ones I've had would do about 30-40 degrees below the actual temperature. This doesn't help keep things cold when the temperature is well over 90 degrees (mid to low 100's). Yes, you can do added fans and such but that is kludgy at best.
hi ranTrek. thanks for the comment and sharing. living in Bay Area I don't get extreme temperatures like that. i haven't had any problems but i'm not in that kind of hot weather. i had a compressor refrigerator on my 2014 Roadtrek and it did work well in the heat of mateca (central valley 90 to 100 degrees) but i also had challenges keeping my batteries leveled because the duty cycle was like 100%. i suppose if i had more batteries (I had 300 watts of solar so that should have been enough) it might have been less of an issue.
I totally agree. The fridge in my 2018 Ascent climbs to nearly 50 in 90 degree temps. Decided to get a small ice chest to keep perishables from spoiling. Also wondering what would happen if I added a chunk of dry ice wrapped well in paper. Have yet to find an answer to that question.
@@Ultramobility Ultra true
@@energymaven Maven you would have to burp the ice chest daily. Also not sure breathing in dry ice fumes is healthy, but maybe with proper ventilation would not be a concern.
More important food for thought. Thanks. I must say that while I sit here in Newfoundland in the middle of a spring snow, rain storm I keep looking over your shoulder at all that beautiful green I keep losing your points. Never mind I'll just watch again.
I never made it to Newfoundland but want to one day! That large picture window is one of the best features of the Ascent I must admit! Thanks for watching Ian.
They don't want you to forget to switch when plugged in. And you kill the batt. I want a three way so while on the road it's free energy, and a solar panel to keep up💙💜💚
thanks for sharing!
what i like about the idea of switching to a compressor fridge is that it'll stay cooler while driving - also the not needing to be level thing - i agree the absorption ones are great when all is working well
jMon, absorption refrigerators also run while driving. mine intelligently switches over to dc power when the engine is running. when you stop it switches automatically over to propane to save me battery power and when i'm plugged into shore power it will switch over to ac power automatically. see my comment below about being level. it is a misconception. basically if you can move around inside the van without trouble then the refrigerator works fine. and if you can't then you're likely not going to stay parked there because sleeping and rolling off your bed will be more of a problem then your refrigerator. that's why i created this video is because there are many misconceptions about 3-way refrigerators.
I may be overstating the issue but it is my belief that having all your camping energy needs in one "basket" per se is a mistake. I have noticed how the RV industry is pushing everyone into electric energy. Campers who boondock would be greatly limited. Granted, there is solar but having the battery bank and array to make enough power to use in a mobile situation gets ridiculous. Propane is highly efficient and is clean. I think it is very smart, as you pointed out. Thinking green is also about consumption not just source. I have a propane stove, water heater and furnace. Interestingly, I have to wait 20 minutes for hot water using LP and three hours using electric. Once the water is hot I have it for most the day but look at that time/consumption rate. I also have a portable induction stove (electric) and electric heater. So, I am not an engineer but I think practically on use, consumption and cost coupled with environment.
such a valid point. thanks for sharing
I never had a problem with my propane Dometic fridge from a 1997 Class C RV. Runs like a tank. Occasionally, the propane tube gets filled with soot, so I have to go outside and knock on it or use a burst of canned air to clear the residue. Its true that it uses very little propane and I've gone a month or longer without having to fill the propane tank. I do have to park level and sometimes that is a problem. I cannot start the fridge when RV is parked on my sloping driveway, but need to park on the level street side overnight before I turn it on. It is quiet that is true, but if you go low on propane, it starts to go click, click, click and it drives you nuts! I worry too that it may stop suddenly, or spiders may block my propane tubes. There is a spider that loves the smell of propane.
However, I would switch to a compressor fridge simply because it is new technology, RV makers are switching to it, and many younger RVers are going this direction. Solar power is available, alternators can be installed to power your house batteries, you can have a generator as well, so three sources of off-grid power for an all electric fridge. These fridges stay cooler in very hot places, and are more reliable. They also don't need level ground, and are cheaper. So why not embrace the change and go with it?
The argument that propane is not safe, does not make sense. Of course there are inherent risks with propane! So too with your BBQ at home. Having a propane tank makes a lot of sense in an RV. You can attach your BBQ to it, heat your water heater, furnace, and kitchen propane stove. Make an outdoor cabinet and stick it in there.
I'm watching this video as a suggested playlist from recent research. We were wanting to add a second chest freezer for extra capacity and redundancy at the house. We have had more and more power disruptions over the past few years. We settled on a two way (LP/120vac) absorption freezer. I like the idea of having energy diversity in my core household systems. It will be our over flow/backup unit so it wont run all year.
You should get Hank Hill on as a guest speaker.
There is also the need to maintain a level platform for the propane to work properly. I could park completely out of level, go on a six hour hike or a weekend EST seminar and a compressor fridge maintains its cool.
yes sure this is true but honestly I've never run into a situation where my 3-way would not be able to run because of it not being level. generally speaking if you are able to walk around inside the van without problem then the refrigerator is fine. I've just never been parked with so much slope that it's a real world problem ... for me. maybe for others it would be.
Good video as usual, but I am not a fan of absorption refrigerators. I would prefer a 12v compressor type if I have my choice.
hear you there tim. pros and cons for each for sure. one nice thing about 3-way refrigerators is that they were designed and built for rvs and boats. they can withstand the wear and tear of driving down the road for thousands of miles. Not always true for the compressor refrigerators that are sometimes stuck in vans that are designed for bars!
Actually the 12v compressor fridge was designed for boating/yachts from what I understand. So they are up to the challenge of going down the road. I have a cheap residential in my class A and over 20k miles and 4 years on it since install. Thanks again for the great videos.
Is a refrigerator really efficient IF if does not really keep your food cold consistently? I say no!
I was watching one of the other rd channels and the guy was installing a secondary inverter. He said his 3000 watt inverter was overkill at times and was wasting electricity with it's big drain on the batteries. He installed a 150 or 200 watt inverter for just lights, fans, and usb devices. He said that enabled him to maximize his solar and extend his boondocking. Sounded reasonable to me.
a lot of amps are burnt up on large inverters and 12 volt systems. that's why 24 volt is good and Winnebago has moved to a 48 volt system. so a smaller inverter to cover less wattage makes sense (although it complicates the electrical system). You'll waste less amps on smaller power draws than on say a 3000 watt inverter.
I do that for our laptops and mobile devices. A 300 to 500 watt inverter would take care of most of your needs.
We have the dometic 3-way rm8505 in our Plateau FL and struggle with temperature variation to the point we’re stressed about food spoilage. Health issues prevent me from eating most processed foods and restaurant meals. Thus we have to depend on reliable fresh food in our refrigerator on a daily basis. In our situation, the dometic 3-way is not a solution even though it is flexible and efficient with energy consumption because it does not meet the most basic requirement of keeping food at a safe temperature. We’re leaning toward a low energy compressor (Danfoss) refrigerator and we’ll just have to make it work within the limits of our lithium batteries, solar power, engine, and generator charging systems. My estimate from the refrigerator literature is that we would typically consume about 40 amp hours per day to run the fridge. With 200 amp hours of battery we should be able to make it work for us. Each of us is unique relative to our needs and how we use our pleasure way, so there are multiple ways to fit those needs when it comes to refrigeration.
thanks for sharing that owner experience May Kay! I have struggled with keeping the temperature of mine steady in really hot weather as well. good news is that it doesn't kill my battery.
The efficiency of compressor fridge is another reason why i choose the Roadtrek zion, it's 400amp batteries and 270w of solar are more than enough and if not, you start the vehicle for 30 min using the voltstart no bothering noise and the batteries are back in business. If you run your fridge for a year on propane it will cost around 365$ if you take care with solar and good batteries set up, the cost is 0$
yep that's about what you ideally need to run a compressor refrigerator. manufacturers that sell vans with 100 watts of solar and a compressor refrigerator need to be called out. 100 watts of solar is not enough to keep your batteries topped off even when just the refrigerator is drawing power. Most people don't think about this stuff and end up disappointed or wondering why their batteries are dropping below 50% after a few days of camping. thanks for sharing.
Ultramobility i agree, that's why it's important to choose lithium ion batteries which are efficient till 10% power left, instead of the standard AGM that after 50% left the power start to decrease.
absolutely right. thanks again for sharing this because it helps prospective buyers better understand what options they need in order to meet their needs. well said again.
So here's another idea for a topic: Underhood generator (i.e. 2nd alternator) vs. a separate Onan-type generator. And different types of Onan generators (propane, or something that draws from the main gas/diesel fuel tank). I'll admit I'm somewhat concerned about the maint. sched. for the Onan, but maybe I'm overly worried ?
I'll put that down but to share: I've owned two different vans now with Cummin Onan generators and have never had a problem with either. I never have had either serviced (maybe I should have? they haven't given me any problems). I'm still on the fence about the whole underhood generator thing. On the one hand it's nice being able to top off batteries quickly. On the other hand, I've never had a problem with the standard alternator keeping my batteries topped off. Maybe I'd need an underhood generator if I had more batteries and things like a compressor refrigerator consuming battery power. as i mentioned in the video it's all about managing your power; having different sources of power (solar, engine, propane); and different components that draw power from those different sources. If you go without a generator and a compressor refrigerator and an induction cooktop you better make sure you have lots of batteries, lots of solar and an underhood generator (and preferably a gas engine versus a diesel). In my case I like having a generator as a third power source (engine, solar and propane) because I can more easily balance my energy needs with 3 sources rather than 2. but that's just me.
I live in a humid climate (Florida) and most people here are quite serious about generator upkeep. If you live where humidity is low It might not be as important. Also during the summer when temps are in the high 90's and above with equally high humidity absorption refrigerators struggle.
Good info.. I can't open the link to the propane usage chart..
Of course it’s great to have a 3 way refrigerator. WHEN THEY WORK ! You need one when your at a tent only area. I used my Dometic 3 way once this season. It lost power on way way home after the first camping trip of the year. I took it in for repair and was told I need a new circuit board. 6 months later I’m still waiting for the part with no end in sight. The refrigerator is two years old. The last I heard they are on a ship from China. Dometic is horrible, it’s junk to the point it’s a scam. Two dealers have told me they have nothing but problems with the new Dometic refrigerators. Plus they scam you on parts when you can get them. Cheap made to break freezer door hinges that probably cost 25 cents to make will cost you $150 to replace. And no I am not exaggerating. I’v been using 12 volt chest refrigerator I keep in my car. It’s been wonderful. I got it on Amazon for $250 and have been using it all summer. If I knew how good they work I would have bought a bigger one. I now use my Dometic for storage. I asked today how much a new refrigerator would cost and the dealer said about $1600 for a two way gas & 12 volt. $1000 to install. I’m not paying that much for a Dometic piece of junk. Also what good is a warranty when they have no replacement parts. I thinking of calling the attorney general in charge of consumer fraud. I heard Dometic has a recall because they are starting fires when run on 12 volt. Try to find out information, good luck with that.
Very helpful. I'm about to buy a 2018 P-W Lexor TS. And yes, I saw your video on that as well. I'm learning a lot watching your channel.
Glad to help
@@Ultramobility Funny. That comment was from about 2 1/2 years ago. I have had my Lexor that long. It's doing well and I've learned to live with an absorption fridge. If it ever fails and can't be fixed, I'll look into a 12-volt model. The problem is going to be finding one that can fit into that narrow space. But for now, I'm good. I still love your channel.
I think the compressor fridge is here to stay due to its ability to keep things cold in the refrigerator and icy in the freezer. When you have a conservative company like Winnebago that are introducing compressor refrigerators and power management systems, you can see the future! However, the one downfall I see is the noise of a compressor refrigerator. It would certainly be more pronounced in a van. And I hadn't thought about the heat that is thrown out by the compressor. However, I've got to think that like air conditioners, they will figure out how to throw the heat outside!
Oh yes I'm sure they will :-) No doubt that compressor refrigerators for RVs are here to stay. People just need to be aware that running a compressor refrigerator isn't free energy-wise. unless you're connected to shore power or driving around you'll need enough solar panels and batteries to power it 24/7.
A little humming compressor is going to bother you sounds like you have your underwear and knot
Hank Hill approves!
great!
Thank you for an interesting perspective on propane refrigerators .
yeah i just thought youtube was flooded with all this negative news about 3-way refrigerators. there are definitely pluses to 3-way refrigerators not the least of which is that they take a tremendous power draw off the batteries and allow you to boondock much longer. no one ever really mentions this.
I knew this already, but once again explained very well and clearly.
thanks kat cancan! glad you're watching my older stuff too!
Ultramobility- Yes l back cataloging,lol. Very useful information, doesn't matter when you made it😀.
What a great video with great information regarding power consumption in general. I found it very educational. Thanks
What size is your propane tank? What other appliance use propane other than the fridge? I'm interested in having both my fridge and range be propane. How difficult is it to refill your propane and how often would you say you need to refill? Thanks for the information!
Thanks Neil. Absorption refridgerators don't function well when out of level. Based on your use case, how fussy are you about leveling your Accent?
Not at all fussy. Basically if you can walk around comfortably inside the van than the refrigerator will work fine. This is a common complaint about 3-way refrigerators but candidly if your floors are so sloped that you cannot walk around comfortably I'd bet that you're likely going to move anyways. It's a moot point in my book.
Came here to ask that myself, so glad to hear an answer from someone experienced with it. Another great video, BTW. I really like the "engineering" focused stuff. It speaks to me :)
We're pretty fussy about leveling our 25' 5" MB Sprinter-based Winnebago Itasca Reyo most of the time. We have a Dometic 3-way fridge. No problems. However, it should also be noted that we spend probably 20-30 days per year at Walmarts or Cabella's where we don't use levelers, we just find the most level part of the lot to park. Also no problems.
Refrigerator manufactures long ago redesigned the design of the boiler tubing so they arent compromised by running at an angle above 15 degrees. You would never park your camper at that angle, trust me, cups would be sliding off the table.
One thing he didn't mention and that is the 12 volt side of a three way fridge. Dont ever get into a position where your using the 12 volt section, you would suck your batteries down to zero in a few hours !
Ron w.
Thank you. My question: Are compressor refrigerators noisy? I would think that would be a problem at night trying to sleep with the compressor kicking on and off.
Great explanation of the fridge benefits. Do you know if the fridge is supposed to make puffing/low popping sounds while using LP?
mine never did that. i would get it checked. mine was completely silent.
Mine was making the poppy sounds. I took it to the dealer and they told me that it needs a new burner tube, but they told me that my 2016 3-way Frig is obsolete and they could not find the part. So it is not normal to hear the popping sounds.
Another excellent Vid. We find our 3-Way *invaluable* when Boon Docking!
yep they are great for boondocking. who wants to park in the hot sun all the time to collect solar to keep the refrigerator running?
I too am a fan of my 3-way. It's been great for 5 yrs so far, from Canada to burning hot texas, and some 110 days in Wall Walla Wa too. No problemos. Just wondering Neil, how loud was your compressor fridge in your Roadtrek? I'm thinking that would keep me awake at night, in a class B especially.
@@rossbroughton3230 How did your 3-way work in Texas? I am from there, but most of our camping trips take us north to get away from the heat. That said, I would like to be able to travel the south in spring and Fall and still have the fridge work decently. Thanks.
@@alnewsom6374 I can now report that our 3-way worked great in Mexico for 3 months last winter, as well as Texas and Arizona. It wasn't super hot but it did get into the nineties regularly and I remember one Costco parking lot in Puerto Vallarta that registered 106. Had zero problemos, the beer, and everything else, was always cold. We have a separate freezer compartment and I would recommend that. With the single units people complain about their lettuce freezing. Not us. We love our Dometic (going strong at age 7.5). Cheers
I hope someone can answer this: I’ve never RVed in my life, and am now seriously considering getting a Class B for weekend as well as extended trips, perhaps including boondocking. My top wishlist picks are the Roadtrek Zion and the Pleasure Way Lexor TS. I am a sunlight & outdoor view junkie, and love fresh air even when it rains, so the Lexor’s massive (awning-opening) windows, (plus its galley, bathroom, and bed layout, AND gorgeous fit&finish/quality) have made the Zion a distant second choice. HOWEVER: I have no interest whatsoever in worrying about having to park level all the time, nor do I want my fridge to chill my food only 30-40 degrees lower than the ambient temperature in hot climates. Those 2 inconveniences come VERY close to being deal breakers. So: would it be possible to swap out the Lexor’s fridge for a compressor fridge aftermarket? I’m sure that would shoot my warranty coverage straight to hell, but work with me on this; I’m daydreaming here! 😉 Any thoughts on the feasibility of this, and best ways to do it?
hi there sistahRev. should be possible to find a brand and make that fit the opening but is a compressor. I would search the make of the refrigerator and get the exterior dimensions of the lexor's stock refrigerator and then see if the manufacturer makes the same model but as a compressor. they may. I believe there is an ac outlet behind the refrigerator but you'd want to ask Pleasureway about that. if there is it is a relatively simple matter of removing the stock refrigerator and plugging in your new one. you'd have to use the existing exterior vents to vent the compressor which would be great in hot weather - that way the heat from the compressor refrigerator won't dump back into an already hot van interior.
Ultramobility THANK YOU! You make it sound so do-able! Now I’m wondering how much expense such a swap would incur, and whether Pleasure Way might be willing to do the install before I take delivery of a Lexor (if I find an appropriate compressor fridge from the manufacturer they already use). Interesting!! Thanks again for such a thorough and helpful reply! 💐
Isn’t it important to park “level” for absorption frig?
So for some people, that might be an important consideration.
If one chooses compressor frig, engineering size of battery bank AHs needs to consider same, right?
no this whole parking level bit for 3-way refrigerators is wrong. totally misleading. as long as you can move around comfortably in the van then the refrigerator will operate just fine. if you choose compressor, most people don't know that the solar and batteries need to be big enough to power that refrigerator. just take a look at the hymer aktiv group on facebook and you['ll see posts from owners stating that their batteries are dead with almost no use of power. lichtsinn rv also did a video showing how their single solar panel could not keep the batteries topped up with only the refrigerator running. no other power. so people don't really think about this stuff mainly because we live in our homes with a permanent supply of power but obviously that's not true in a van.
Ultramobility thanks for the response. I expect to do a self-build later in the year and sizing my batteries and solar charging system is something that requires my decisions on powered devices. The fridge could be my biggest power hog (no a/c to start - two Maxxair fans and canopy style windows with design flexibility to add a/c later if needed).
I had been planning on a NovaCool with separate compressor for freezer vs. fridge. Will revisit that choice once again.
Thanks again and take care.
Did you use a Mevo or something else for this video? Remarkable...
Hi Neil, for a newbie!... when do you turn your refrigerator off or on, how do you clean it and keep it from getting moldy? I will look through your videos for coach maintenance videos or videos about leaving for and coming home from a trip and also a video about how to maintain it if you use it a few times a week? Any videos about these subjects would be great if you are interested. 🤟🏼
mine is a 3-way so i only turn it on for trips and then i just leave it on. if i had a compressor i would use it even for day trips. when i'm done with both i turn it off and then there's a latch on the door that you flip so that when you close the refrigerator door it keeps it a bit open to let air in and dry out the inside so that mold doesn't grow.
I just gave a scathing review of my 3 way Dometic. However when it did work make sure you turn it on two days before you need it. It takes that long to cool down properly. Always try to put food in it that has already been chilled. Never put anything in the freezer expecting it to freeze. It’s not made for that. A RV refrigerator works the exact opposite of a compressor freezer. It draws heat out of your food and a Compressor chills it. As for clean up I shut mine off, wipe it out if necessary. Leave the door open always and you will not get any mold. It did work great for the first year now I can’t get parts. I hope you have better luck.
@@havfunwithit "A RV refrigerator works the exact opposite of a compressor freezer. It draws heat out of your food and a Compressor chills it." There is literally no scientific basis for this. Refrigeration is refrigeration.
Why do I get the feeling that this is aimed at James from The Fit RV? He seems to have a Vader-esque level of hatred for absorption refrigerators!
lol, well not directly aimed at James though it is true that he is very anti-absorption. no, my point in making the video is to give some balance to the discussion. people need to understand the benefits and cons of both so that they can make an informed decision. there are so many videos talking about the negatives of 3-way refrigerators and very few that speak to the positives. i thoughts i'd help balance the discussion a bit.
James knows his stuff. He is passionate about his beliefs, but does some intense research into everything he talks about.
By three way do you mean propane, battery or shore power?
Neil, great info, but I think you are missing an important point. The absorptive type fridges are inherently way less inefficient than a compressor type fridge. I'm finding my 3-way running off 120VAC is drawing all day about 2 Amps or 240 Watts. Forget the batteries, i'm not running it off 12V, but the wattage would be similar. 240 Watts is not a small load if continuous. the kWh are adding up. With the price of power in CA being $.45 during daytime peak, the Propane is the much cheaper way to go to run this type of fridge. Just running the calc I get for a full day it's $.86 vs. $2.60/day. I love the versatility of the 3-way, but they do cost more long run. Since this RV is plugged in full time, i'm thinking a compressor model would be better.
Hello Neil,I would like to ask being what you know now, and even if you boondocked more frequently, would you require solar packageas part of your van purchase, or should it be considered an added benefit?
solar for me is mandatory. you need energy when you boondock and solar is a great way to capture it while you're just sitting there.
Thank you Very informative
You're welcome thanks for watching!
What is the capacity of the propane tank for a class B Pleasureway Van?
The chart was too small to see
Very enlightening
thank you stephen!
🎬 1 📽 🎞 ❤❤❤❤❤ 🚐 Outstanding, thank you so much for sharing. 🚐 I agree! and you still need a high-end portable cooler to travel with.
Thanks always for your positive comments and support One Journey!
I'm still lost sorry. So what does 3 way fridge mean?
@Stop my ego. thank you
propane, dc, ac
Very informative video. I'm still not clear on how to keep things cold in the frig when traveling. If I put my frig to check what source to use and my LP is turned off during travel will it just take from the battery no problem and when I'm hooked up to shore power it'll take from the battery as well unless I push the gas only button? In either case, my frig will still be running, correct, unless I have it completely turned off? If I'm boondocking using the generator, can I use either LP gas or power from the battery? I'm a newbie at this. Nice little rig you have there!
yes, if you have an automatic switching 3-way like I do then the refrigerator will change over to DC/AC or propane on its own. for example, mine switches from propane when i'm not hooked up or travelling but then switches to DC when I start the engine. It's even smart enough to stay in DC mode when I pull into a gas station and switch off the engine (it waits 10 mins before switching over to propane to allow for you to fill up). If you don't have automatic switching then you will have to do the switching manually.
@@Ultramobility thanks for your reply! Mine is automatic. :)
This is SO wrong!! You say three way refrigerators are EFFICIENT. No! They are NOT! What's goood about propane is that chemicals as propane contain a huge amount power! So little amounts are enough! But if you use the three way in electric mode it is going to be ABOUT 8 TIMES LESS EFFICIENT than a Danfoss... And 12 times LESS efficient than a last generation VSD (variable speed drive brushless motor compressor).
Thank you for your video
.009 is not said oo9 it's zero zero nine.
Do you think the Novocool I.e. compressed frig and the Lithium3 will be the way vans will go in the future, a 20,000 dollar option I know.The coachman Galleria FL i3 has that option?
You need enough solar on the roof to keep the batteries charged on a compressor refrigerator. This is what few people point out when they talk up compressor refrigerators. A single 100 watt panel won't do it. 2 panels maybe but ideally you need 300 watts of solar and even then parking in the shade will greatly reduce the amount of power that you can gather to replenish the batteries. You can have larger banks of batteries but if you don't have enough panels or enough sunlight then the number of batteries don't really matter.
The Galleries 24 FL comes with one panel, 2 more are option for a total of 3. I do not about other options, besides shore power, they use to charge the battery, I think it is called a Lithionics battery.
if you've got 3 panels totalling 300 watts and at least 200 amp hours of lithium batteries you're probably good to go with a compressor refrigerator. thanks for sharing Irene!
My apologies, I guess I wasn’t clear I was asking about the Li3 system. It is a a different type of lithium battery and charge controller. I think the Galleria 24Fl is the first to carry it. ,
Hi, Irene I'll have to check it out! My limited understanding at this point is that the Lithtronic system is a module plug and play system. it allows you (via the coach manufacturer) to more easily upgrade battery packs as your needs change. this is wonderful because if you want to add more lithium batteries to your system you can just find a place to put them and plug them in. The battery management system in conjunction with some proprietary connectors take care of the rest. The lithium batteries themselves don't hold any more charge or anything but the way the individual cells inside a single battery are charged is more intelligent and robust.
3 way is the way for dry csmping
One solar panel and it consumes nothing, my compressor, and.... Above that, my drinks and meat are cool....
Cute and well spoken 😊
why thank you Jacob - on both accounts!
HOW do I speed up his talking so that he talks as fast as a normal person?
Click on the 3 dots in top right. You will be given an option for playback speed.