12V camping fridge with gas, 12V and 230V (absorption/3-way)

The 12V camping fridge with absorption technology is also known as gas fridge and operates with 12V, 230V or gas. Read more about the absorption technology at Wikipedia.
The absorption/3-way fridge is therefore ideal as RV fridge, camper fridge and travel trailer fridge.
While driving the absorption fridge operates with 12V from the onboard battery. When staying at a campsite you can use the 230V shore power, so the fridge operates with 230V.
And if you are somewhere without available power supply, you can operate the fridge with gas.
The current 12V fridges with absorption are automatic. This automatic system changes the power supply when driving, after stopping or with shore power.
Reimo recommends keeping the automatic function on to avoid some not-so-nice surprises!

How does the 12V camping fridge with absorption technology reacts to heat?
Unfortunately, the absorption fridge does not react so well to heat. The cooling power depends on the outside temperature. This means, cooling with an absorption fridge at 30-35° outside temperature gets problematic.
The ammonia mixture contained in the absorption fridge cannot withstand high temperatures well.
Also, the absorption fridge must be ventilated because of the gas flame and the resulting exhaust gases. This is done through ventilation grids on the outer wall of your camper, RV or travel trailer.
If the outside temperature is really high, you should support your absorption fridge with a fridge fan.
You can switch this on manually; many of these fans, such as the Fridge Fan Tornado, have a controller and an automatic system for switching them on and off.

12V camping fridge with compressor

RV fridge, camper fridge, travel trailer fridge: Absorption vs. Compressor

Consumption:

The absorption fridge and compressor fridge cool with different technologies. Therefore, it is not easy to directly compare them, but let's try!
The Dometic RC 10.4 is a 12V camping fridge with compressor technology. With 90L volume it needs 42W at 12V and 58W at 24V.
The Dometic RM 8401 2,6kWh. That is approx. 91 watts compared to the 42 watts of the compressor fridge.
However, you should consider that you usually only use the 12V of an absorption fridge while driving. The gas consumption of the N3090 is 270g at 24h.

Conclusion:

Manufacturers and brands for 12V camping fridge:

Available in Reimo's online shop:

• Carbest, RV fridge, camper fridge, travel trailer fridge with compressor
  

• Engel, RV fridge, camper fridge, travel trailer fridge for small spaces

• Dometic, 12V camping fridge with compressor or absorption
  

• Thetford, 12V camping fridge with compressor or absorption
  
  
• Webasto, 12V camping fridge with compressor

RV fridge, camper fridge, travel trailer fridge with solar, 12V battery or connection for power supply

Operating a RV fridge, camper fridge or travel trailer fridge is always a good idea!
Solar power gives you a self-sufficient power source and you are independent from power connection and the limited resources of 12V batteries and gas bottles.
This makes a lot of sense for a 12V camping fridge with compressor, which are usually built into the van or campervan (of course also for RVs, boats and travel trailers).

With one of our Camping Solar Systems you can easily (depending on size) operate a RV fridge, camper fridge or travel trailer fridge self-sustainingly.