Welcome to the home of Thetford refrigeration!
All Thetford refrigerators automatically defrost. This keeps ice from forming on the freezer element; no more chipping away at an icey build up in your freezer. The anti-fog function, which automatically turns on, ensures that the thermal bridge caused by double-door refrigerators does not cause condensation. All the refrigerators have a reliable self-diagnosis system. Should a fault occur, an error code will appear on the control panel*.
*This pertains to the LCD-refrigerators
How does it work?
All Thetford absorption fridges work on AC (220-240V), or gas. The LED refrigerators can even work on 12V battery. This allows you to use a Thetford refrigerator in virtually any situation. The control panel reveals which energy source is selected. After automatically selecting the best available energy source, the refrigerator will start working. The flame is electrically ignited in all models. And if the flame accidentally goes out, the refrigerator will restart itself within 2.5 seconds.
One consideration is that absorption fridges perform best in ambient temperatures between 10-32°C and require proper ventilation for optimal cooling efficiency. All models need annual servicing to clean gas lines and maintain peak performance, particularly for units operating on LPG. Replacement parts remain readily available for both current N4000 and discontinued N3000 series, ensuring long-term serviceability and making Thetford the preferred choice for serious touring enthusiasts.
Absorption; Quiet as a whisper
Thetford absorption refrigerators work differently than your fridge at home. Thetford refrigerators have no compressor, making them much quieter. This means you can relax and enjoy a pleasant stay in your caravan or camper, without noisy appliances buzzing in the background. The N3000 and N4000 range both work with absorption technology.
Compression refrigeration: How it works
This is the most known type of refrigerator as it is the most commonly used refrigeration technolgy used in the home. The compressor turns chemical gas into cooling liquid (under pressure) which is pumped into the cabinet. This gives the cooling effect inside the refrigerator. It is a simple system, with moving parts that can cause some level of noise, but Thetford have developed a low noise compressor that has a day mode and quieter night mode.
Following the slim refrigerators of only 418 mm wide and the growing i
Thetford determined some important shifts in the RV market, like a gro
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Thetford N3000 and N4000 series fridges?The N3000 has been discontinued and replaced by the N4000. The N4000 series features fully automatic power source selection with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) technology for better energy efficiency and improved voltage tolerance (205V-250V). N3000 models require manual power selection or semi-automatic operation. N4000 fridges include CI-BUS connectivity for integration with modern vehicle control systems and automatic flame reignition within 2.5 seconds if extinguished. Both use identical absorption cooling technology, but N4000 units recover faster after power interruption and perform more consistently on varying campsite electrical supplies. Choose N4000 for new installations or maximum convenience, N3000 for budget-conscious replacement of existing older units.My Thetford fridge is showing error codes - what do the most common ones mean and how do I fix them?Error Code 1: AC heater current 75% below normal - check 230V supply and element. Error Code 4: Ignition system fault - check gas supply, clean burner jet, ensure gas valves open. Error Code 6: 12V power out of tolerance (must be 11.4V-15.5V) - check leisure battery voltage and charging. Error Code 7: D+ signal missing - engine not running or wiring fault to alternator D+ terminal. Error 10: General system fault requiring professional diagnosis. On LCD models, error codes display with spanner symbol. For LED models, enter service mode by holding all three buttons simultaneously until flashing stops - temperature bars show error number. Always disconnect 12V power for 5 minutes to reset before investigating further. If there is an issue with the Gas always use a Gas safe engineer.Why won't my Thetford fridge work on gas after changing cylinders or winter storage?After gas cylinder changes or winter storage, air enters the lines requiring purging. Turn fridge power off, close all gas isolation valves, then open only the fridge gas valve and wait several seconds before restarting the fridge. This forces air out of the lines. Check gas regulator fully open, isolation valves aligned with pipe direction (yellow handles in-line), and test other gas appliances first. Listen for clicking at the lower outside vent during ignition - this confirms the electronic igniter is working. If ignition occurs but flame won't sustain, the thermocouple may need repositioning or the burner jet cleaning. Annual gas line servicing prevents blockages from preventing reliable operation, particularly important for units stored over winter.What power consumption should I expect from Thetford fridges and how long will my battery last?Absorption fridges on 12V draw 8-12 amps continuously (96-144Ah daily) and should only operate with engine running to prevent battery damage. T2000 compressor models consume significantly less: 84L units use 23.3Ah daily, 138L models use 38.3Ah daily. A single 95Ah leisure battery powers an 84L compressor fridge for 4 days, or 138L model for 2.5 days off-grid. Solar panels of 100W+ can extend this indefinitely in good conditions. Absorption fridges excel for extended off-grid periods by switching to gas, while compressor units require substantial battery capacity but cool faster and handle high ambient temperatures better. Always use battery monitors to prevent damaging deep discharge cycles.Which Thetford fridge models fit over wheel arches and what are the exact dimensions?Wheel arch models have stepped rear profiles: N4080 (80L), N4090 (90L), N4108 (106L), and N4112 (112L) from current range. Previous N3080, N3090, N3108, and N3112 models fit similar cutouts. All measure 525mm wide, with stepped depths around 593mm for wheel arch accommodation. The N4090 replaces older N3090 and N90 models, while N4108 provides maximum capacity at 106L with 14L freezer section. Measure your existing cutout carefully as caravan manufacturers vary wheel arch positioning. Standard non-stepped models like N4100 (97L) and N4150 (149L) require deeper installation spaces but offer easier internal access and typically better capacity-to-size ratios for installations with sufficient depth clearance.My fridge isn't cooling properly even though it's running - what should I check first?Check the thermistor position first - it must be clipped to the 5th cooling fin from the right inside the fridge compartment. If dislodged, the fridge runs continuously without proper temperature regulation. Ensure vehicle is level (within 5 degrees) as absorption fridges are gravity-dependent. Verify adequate ventilation by removing external grilles and checking for debris, spider webs, or blocked airflow. The right side of external pipes should be extremely hot to touch, left side much cooler - if both sides equally hot, insufficient ventilation is likely. Don't overpack food against the cooling fins, maintain air circulation gaps. If problem persists after 24 hours of correct operation, the cooling unit may have lost refrigerant or suffered mechanical damage requiring professional diagnosis.Should I choose Thetford absorption or compressor fridges for serious off-grid camping?Absorption fridges are superior for extended off-grid periods because they operate efficiently on LPG without draining batteries, automatically switching between gas, 230V, and 12V as available. They run completely silently and perform optimally in ambient temperatures of 10-32°C. T2000 compressor fridges cool faster, handle ambient temperatures above 35°C better, and offer separate freezer temperature control to save up to 45% energy when freezer isn't needed. However, they rely entirely on 12V power requiring substantial battery capacity (minimum 200Ah) plus solar charging for extended off-grid use. For serious wild camping beyond 3-4 days, absorption technology provides greater energy independence and reliability, especially when combined with adequate LPG capacity.Why does my Thetford fridge struggle in hot weather and how can I improve performance?Absorption fridges work harder above 32°C ambient temperature and need optimal heat dissipation. Install a ventilator kit to improve airflow over the condenser - this is essential in hot climates and can improve cooling by 15-20%. Position your vehicle so fridge vents face away from direct sunlight, and extend awnings to shade the entire fridge side. Clean external vents monthly of dust, leaves and spider webs which restrict crucial airflow. Increase the temperature setting one level in hot weather as the system works harder to achieve the same cooling effect. Pre-cool food before loading and minimise door openings to retain cool air. In extreme heat, consider parking in shade during hottest parts of the day and running on 230V or gas rather than 12V for maximum cooling power.What servicing do Thetford fridges need and can I do any maintenance myself?Annual Gas Safe professional servicing is mandatory for warranty coverage and includes cleaning the gas burner jet and flue system which accumulates soot reducing efficiency. Service covers gas leak testing, electrical circuit checks, temperature calibration, and cooling unit inspection. DIY maintenance includes monthly cleaning of external ventilation grilles, checking door seals for airtightness, and ensuring the internal thermistor remains clipped to the 5th cooling fin from the right. Clean internal surfaces with mild household cleaner, check external 12V connections are tight (disconnect 230V first), and verify the fridge is level when parked. Winter covers are essential below 8°C to prevent overcooling. Never use hair dryers or heat guns for defrosting as this damages internal surfaces and voids warranty.Are spare parts still available for older Thetford fridges and what commonly fails?Comprehensive spare parts remain available for both current N4000 and discontinued N3000 series, with Thetford maintaining stock for many years post-production. Common replacement items include power control boards (part 692247 fits both N3000 and N4000 series), thermostats, heating elements, door seals, and internal components like shelving and bottle retainers. The most frequent failures are power control board faults causing intermittent operation, thermistor displacement leading to temperature regulation issues, and door seal deterioration causing poor cooling efficiency. Gas valve assemblies and thermocouples occasionally fail on older manual ignition models. Electronic control boards can often be upgraded from manual to automatic operation. Professional diagnosis is recommended as apparent component failures sometimes indicate wiring or installation faults rather than part defects. For a full list of spares for specific fridges view our spare parts page.How do I install Thetford compressor fridges in campervan conversions and what are the advantages?T2000 compressor fridges eliminate external ventilation requirements, simplifying van installations by removing the need to cut ventilation grilles in bodywork. They operate exclusively on 12V power with modern variable-speed compressors featuring day/night modes for noise reduction. Installation requires substantial electrical capacity: minimum 200Ah lithium batteries plus 200W+ solar charging for off-grid capability. Compressor units cool 3-4 times faster than absorption models and maintain performance in ambient temperatures up to 40°C. The separate freezer control allows disabling the freezer compartment to save 45% energy consumption when not needed. Mounting requires secure fixing to prevent vibration damage, and adequate clearance around the compressor unit for heat dissipation. Professional 12V installation ensures proper cable sizing, fusing, and battery management system integration.
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