Dometic 3 Way Fridge Replacement Guide

Dometic were the pioneers of absorption / 3 way fridges and remain a world leader in the RV Sector. Over their long history they have produced a huge variety of models covering an extended range of sizes. In recent years Dometic Australia has consolidated their range into the core sizes and standardised specifications.

Covering the very common Compact Single Door Fridge, Dometic has maintained two versions of the original RM 2-Series:

RM2350 - 90L Manual Energy Selection
RM2356 - 95L Universal Energy Selection

Moving up in volume is the RMD10.5XS - 173L Double Door Fridge.
This is the direct replacement for the earlier RMD & RMDX ranges.

Moving away from the traditional 3-Way Fridge dimensions is the RUA series. Updated to suit the needs of the modern RV Market they feature a slimline design and are available in 3 sizes:

RUA 5208X - 153L Single Door
RUA 6408X - 188L Double Door
RUA 8408X - 224L Double Door

Generally speaking the RM and RMD10 Fridges are used when replacing an existing fridge and you don't want to modify your existing cabinetry while the RUA are used in new fitouts.

We have created some Cheat-Sheets to help if you are looking to replace an older Dometic Upright 3-Way Fridge which has been discontinued. Listings detail any Direct Replacements or if none are available we have listed the nearest replacement and dimensions for retrofitting.

Dometic 90L Fridge Replacement Chart

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Dometic 95L Fridge Replacement Chart

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Dometic 150L Fridge Replacement Chart

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Dometic 175-190L Fridge Replacement Chart

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Dometic 220L Fridge Replacement Chart

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Dometic 3-Way Fridge Vents

By the 1970s many Australian built caravans were transitioning from the more traditional 240v bar fridges we had seen during the 1960s, over to an Absorption(3-way) fridge such as the Electrolux RM36.

3 way fridges provided caravan owners with far more flexibility as they were able to operate on 240v along with 12v and LPG Gas.

Over the years these fridges have proved to be a reliable, quiet operating refrigerator which have proved perfect for Australian conditions.

Initially these fridges were vented to the outside via pressed metal louvered vents, however towards the later part of the 1980s, there was a move towards the plastic fridge vents which we still see today.

Essentially these plastic vents were fitted where an Electrolux 3 way fridge was installed into a caravan.

The plastic vents are a set of two. A top and bottom vent. The top vent features an integrated smaller vent on the right hand side. This design allows for accommodating a top flue from fridges burner chamber to the outside world via the top vent.

Over the years there have been some changes to the design, including locking and even a name change from Electrolux to Dometic in early 2002 with Dometic's full acquisition of the Electrolux Leisure Appliances.

All throughout these changes the cut out in the wall has remained the same 451mm wide and 156mm high.

We list the known types and distinguishing features below:

Note: We have listed the top vents with the exception of the Dometic Bottom Vent to enable contrast between top and bottom visually.

Common Query

Whilst we are also aware the original Electrolux vents were available in brown, all vents were the same.

There is some confusion however with screws in the frame. These were after additions, as the coin lock button was not a particularly well thought out securement method. Many of the outer vent sections would become lost in transit, and many owners and repair workshops secured the frame using small self tapping screws.

Coin Lock vs Slide Lock

The coin lock system would finally give way for the slide lock in 2008.

The design change has also meant the inner upper and lower mounting frames have also been changed to accommodate the locking style.

As previously mentioned, the cut out in the wall has remained the same 451mm wide and 156mm high, however only the current '1625' style is available, which means it may be more economically viable to purchase the full top and bottom replacement kit rather than individual parts.

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Important Note:
The sizes displayed have been directly taken from Electrolux / Dometic literature, much of it period specific to when the model was current.

These numbers have been checked three times over to ensure no keying issues were present when authoring this document, however CaravansPlus take no responsibility for the absolute correctness of this information, as specifications do and can change during a models marketing life.

All information is offered in good faith.