This has been quite a cool subject but after reading im still puzeled if i should dump or fitt my 3 way fridge,i missed a 230v mini table top fridge in charity shop for £20,i knew i should have bought it.:mad1:
I have a 12v cool box but i dont think there any good as they only go down 20c below amb temp,as my van hits easy 35c that would leave it at 15c.
It will depend on the Mini Fridge, but a lot of those mini fridges are energy hogs and noisy to boot! (I've stayed in some hotels which have had little table-top fridges as mini-bars and have had to turn off the fridge at night to be able to sleep)
The first "cooling solution" I bought for my first camper was a standard 12V cool box - not only do they cool down to only 20C below ambient, but they are also energy hogs and usually very noisy. In fact, I called the supplier of the coolbox (it cost around £60 I think) to ask them about the noise as more than I expected - they refunded my money and told me to destroy the coolbox!
That is when I gave in and moved to 12V Compressor Devices - nearly silent and much more efficient.
I think I did mention many times my testing was with an A++ Class fridge - that is the most energy efficient electric fridge class available.
Ok - personal opinion .... If I bought a 'typical' Motorhome this is what I would very very likely do ...
3-Way Fridge installed?
If it worked, I would probably keep it. Why not, it works and is (I understand) fairly cheap to run.
If it was broken and needed replacing, then I would certainly think twice about a like-for-like replacement as the cost of a good AC Fridge, Inverter and Extra Battery (or Solar Panel - that is another potential way to cover the extra electricity used) is probably similar to the cost of a new 3-Way (I'm guessing a bit here).
If the gas system on this 'typical' Motorhome was in need of repairs of any significant level, involving parts and external labour for gas expertise; then that would push me PERSONALLY to look at possibility of getting rid of gas applicances and moving to electric.
In my last conversion, I installed a twin-burner gas hob, but already I was using a portable induction hob by choice in order to use spare battery power and also generate less heat.
Here is a little YouTube video discussing the topic of Gas vs Induction for cooking in a Motorhome.
[video=youtube_share;XmRy9s-41KY]https://youtu.be/XmRy9s-41KY[/video]
I know other people are much happier using Gas for Fridge, Heating and Cooking - no problem. Different Strokes for Different Folks.
As I always planned to use a Diesel Heater for warmth and an Induction Hob for Cooking; plus I knew from previous experiences I would be using an Electric Compressor Fridge, the only possible use I have for gas would be as a water heater for a shower. And in that case, I would probably get a Diesel Air/Water Heater instead (I am not installing a full shower and have an Eberspacher electric heater like yours, Trev, for low-volume water heating).
So no gas available OR planned - and hence why MY test focussed on comparing AC and DC Compressor Fridges and didn't bring 3-Ways into at all. If anyone wants to do that Gas vs Electric comparision (or has already and can post links) that would be great. I can't and won't as my knowledge of 3-Way Fridges is all second-hand by reading and the last time I used a Gas Fridge was around 40 years ago and I imagine things have moved on since then?
