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Thetford Fridge struggling with heat?

B

Banus

So, this is the first time we’ve really used our Swift Challenger 480 in quite extreme heat and have noticed that our Thetford fridge appears to be struggling to cool down as usual on electric. Everything appears to be working as usual and the ice box eventually produced ice cubes - but that took longer than usual but the main body of the fridge is still noticeably not as cool as usual even after 6 hours.
We have rearranged the food so there is air flow between the items but no difference. Just wondered if the extreme hot temperatures is affecting its performance?
However, when I tried it on gas for a few hours it really chilled down to what we’re used to so it proves that the fridge appears to be working properly but is struggling on electric.
Any ideas or is this normal?
Thanks all.
 
Fridge fans !!!
Over the years I have become convinced that they make a substantial difference to an absorption fridges efficiency when the ambient temperature is 25⁰ C or above.
It doesn't need to be expensive, or elaborate, just a 12v computer fan zip tied to the top fridge vent extracting the hot air from the space at the back of the fridge works wonders. If you don't have a fan then a good temporary measure is to remove the top and bottom vents completely as that enables a much greater airflow. A fridge works by removing heat from inside and passing it to the external air. The more air that is flowing across the heat exchanger (the finned thing you can see) the more heat is taken away, so the cooler the inside of the fridge gets. Think how cold it feels in the winter when the wind is blowing, it takes heat away from you.

Many insist on the expensive theromstatically controlled kits from the likes of Thetford and Dometic, and tgey certainly do work, but I just fit a fan and a switch, its simple, cheap (£15 max) and most importantly its effective.
 
otherclive said:
Try gas during daytime then electric overnight. That will improve things.
Click to expand...
I have actually found the opposite! and I conclude that with gas fridges that use a pilot light, the cooling is equal to the electric, but the continuous pilot light can add unwanted heat behind the fridge which may increase the amount of ambient heat finding its way back into the fridge. Electric elements that turn completely off when the fridge is cool enough will be more efficient. The difference may not be detectable, but mains electric operation is the most efficient.
 
ProfJohnL said:
I have actually found the opposite! and I conclude that with gas fridges that use a pilot light, the cooling is equal to the electric, but the continuous pilot light can add unwanted heat behind the fridge which may increase the amount of ambient heat finding its way back into the fridge. Electric elements that turn completely off when the fridge is cool enough will be more efficient. The difference may not be detectable, but mains electric operation is the most efficient.
Click to expand...
The OP reported that it worked better on gas that’s why I made my suggestion, which was based on his own experience. Could it be a case of effectiveness over efficiency?
 
Last edited:
Quick update and thanks for all your replies.
After using the fridge on gas for a few hours the fridge began to chill right down to normal levels so I then reverted back to electric oprtation and its been fine ever since. Great tip on removing the vents on the exterior of the van which I'll try should the problem reappear.
 
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