Modern day caravans are equipped with fridges and freezers operating on 220V electrical power. Older caravans were equipped with 3-way fridges, also referred to as absorption fridges. A 3-way fridge is a fridge that can operate on 220V electrical power, 12V battery power or on gas, hence the name 3-way. Off-road trailers and some caravans are still equipped with 3-way fridges, or fridges that operated on 220V or 12V electrical power.
You can identify whether your caravan is equipped with a 3-way fridge by looking at the controls on the fridge. These controls might be at the top of the fridge (like the one in the picture below) or at the bottom end of the fridge. If the controls on your fridge is like these, then it is a 3-way fridge.
For a 3-way fridge to operate efficiently it is very important that it stands level. When you arrive at your camping site, before doing anything else, make sure that your caravan is parked level.
FRIDGE CONTROLS
The function of each of the fridge controls are as follow:
- A – This light will illuminate when the fridge is operating on 22V power
- B – Gas ignitor when using gas to operate the fridge
- C – Switch between 12V and 220V power to operate the fridge
- D – Indicates whether the gas flame is lid or not
- E – Set the gas flow/thermostat when operating on gas
- F – Sets the thermostat when operating on 12V battery or 220V electricity
OPERATING ON 220V ELECTRICITY
- Make sure that the caravan is connected to the main power supply at your camping site.
- Check the switches on the main power supply box in the caravan and make sure the mains switch is in the “ON” position
- Turn the power selector knob (C) to the 220V position
- The 22V indicator light (A) will lit to indicate that the fridge is running on 220V electricity.
- Set the thermostat control (F) on maximum. You can always turn is down once the fridge is starting to cool down.
- The fridge is now running on electrical power.
- To switch the fridge off, turn the switch (C) to the middle position.
OPERATING ON 12V BATTERY POWER
- Make sure that the caravan is connected to the 12V battery situated in the nose cone of the caravan.
- Check the switches on the main power supply box in the caravan and make sure the battery switch is in the “ON” position.
- Turn the power selector knob (C) to the 12V position.
- Set the thermostat control (F) on maximum. You can always turn is down once the fridge is starting to cool down.
- The fridge is now running on battery power.
- To switch the fridge off, turn the switch (C) to the middle position.