Thetford fridges

[aandy]

I read a comment on another forum from someone who was unhappy with a Thetford fridge, which he said would not work unless it was absolutely level. He contrasted it with the Dometic in his previous van, which he said was far more tolerant. Does that reflect anyone else's experience?

[Brian Kirby]

No. This was true with older Dometic/Electrolux fridges, so may well be equally true for older Thetford ones.

[Rayjsj]

Compressor fridges even work when upside down. BUT they do need constant 12v.

[Derek Uzzell]

Absorption-fridge ‘tilt-tolerance’ is mentioned in the “On Site” section of this 2009 Caravan Club file:

 

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/1022772/refrigerators-mo.pdf

 

Thetfords’ own advice in the FAQ part of their website

 

http://www.thetford.com/customer-support/faq/gas-absorption-faq/#answer-3

 

is more detailed:

 

"How level must the refrigerator be?

 

If you have a gas absorption refrigerator, normal leveling of the vehicle is sufficient. The refrigerator is made to operate within 3 degrees off level side-to-side and 6 degrees off level front-to-back (looking at the front of the refrigerator).”

 

GOOGLE indicates that manufacturers of compressor fridges designed for use in leisure-vehicles and boats generally quote a tilt-tolerance no greater than 45 degrees.

 

 

[graham]

We had an Autocruise coachbuilt with a Thetford fridge, I can't remember what number I was told that the fore/aft tolerance was 3 degrees but ours (as supplied) would not operate unless the vehicle was dead level or tilting backwards. I did a series of tests at home to record the parameters and it was changed under warranty. The new one was better but was still sensitive to nose down lean (but fine with rearward lean) so I was very careful how I parked on or off site.