Dometic 3-Way Refrigerator Venting Options

1. Overview - Proper Installation

Dometic 3 way fridges for caravans and motor homes and campers are built to provide excellent cooling performance, even in high ambient temperatures. Difficulties with the performance of the refrigerator can be avoided by installing it correctly and or by improving both the installation and ventilation of an existing installation.

The installation and connections of gas supply must be made by an authorised gas fitter in compliance with the Australian Gas Authority regulations.

The location of the refrigerator should be such that the ventilation vents are not blocked by the vehicle door when open.

The refrigerator should be installed on a hard flat level surface.

The recess for the refrigerator should be sealed from the living area of the vehicle. No gas leak or exhaust gases can penetrate into the living area.

The space between the refrigerator cabinet and the furniture should be kept to a minimum. This is to exclude the warm air given off by the cooling unit from blanketing the cabinet. If possible fill any void with glass insulation wool down both sides and on top of the refrigerator cabinet.

Regardless of which option of ventilation method is used the following points must be followed:

a.The bottom of the lower vent must be at the floor level that the refrigerator cabinet is mounted on (The floor). If the lower vent is above the floor level a 40mm hole must be made through the floor to provide an escape for any possible gas leak.

b. The top vent must be mounted above the refrigerator cooling unit, the rule is THE BOTTOM OF THE TOP VENT MUST BE AT THE VERY LEAST EQUAL TO OR ABOVE THE TOP OF THE REFRIGERATOR. This is to ensure all of the air moving up through the vents will pass through the complete cooling unit. Note: There are installations where it may not be possible to position the top vent completely above the top of the cabinet, this can be due to vehicle design restrictions. The refrigerator will still work, however for the best performance particularly in high ambient conditions the top vent should be above the cabinet.

A suitable metal warm air deflector plate should be fitted to direct the rising warm air from the cooling unit to the outside via the top vent. This deflecting plate should be as wide as possible and be fitted in such a way that it does not interfere with the wiring on top of the refrigerator cabinet.

2. Common Vent Systems for Fridges up to 100L

Ventilation Components required are:

1x AS1625 vent kit (top & bottom frames & vents) Includes the aluminium flue connection. AS1625 vent kit each vent has 328 cm2 open area

1x T-Piece & 1x T-Piece Extension (extra extensions may be required dependent on the height of refrigerator and vent height)

3. Common Vent Systems for Fridges 101-200L - Option 1

Common motor home ventilation system. Ventilation Components required are:

1x Side Vent - Each vent has 450cm2 open area (NOTE: as of January 2023, 3109350.011: Side Vent is NLA)

1x Roof Vent Base & 1x Roof Vent Cap - 730cm2 open ventilation area

1x Gas Flue Kit

4. Common Vent Systems for Fridges 101-200L - Option 2

Common motorhome & caravan ventilation system. Ventilation Components required are:

2x Side Vent - Each vent has 450cm2 open area (NOTE: as of January 2023, 3109350.011: Side Vent is NLA)

1x Gas Flue Kit

5. Common Vent Systems for Fridges 101-200L and greater

Common motorhome & caravan ventilation system. Ventilation Components required are:

2x LS300 - Each vent has 667cm2 open area

1x Gas Flue Kit