Dometic RUC 5204X 145L 12/24V Compressor Caravan Fridge Freezer
General ETA ~ Aug 30–Sep 3
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The Owner's Insights on the RUC5204X
The RUC5204X is the smallest RU Core, and it's the one for a short cabinet.
145 litres in a body 1191mm tall and 550mm wide. That's a pop-top, a small van, or a camper where a full-height upright is out of the question.
Same warning as the rest of the Core range. It runs on 12V and 24V DC only. No 240V input and no changeover on a powered site.
The freezer is 13 litres, so it's a bag of peas and some meat rather than a week of frozen dinners. The fridge itself is a solid 132.
It's quiet for a compressor fridge, rated under 45 dB(A), which matters more in a small van than a big one.
Who's it for? A small van with a sorted 12V system. If you want mains-direct operation in the same size, look at the RUC5308X instead.
Why You'll Love the RUC5204X
- T climate class. Dometic rate it for ambient temperatures from 16 to 43 degrees, so a hot afternoon doesn't beat it.
- Internal ventilation option. Dometic sell an internal vent kit for this range, so you may not need vents cut in your van wall.
- Quiet fan with no auto shut-off. The fan runs steadily instead of clattering on and off through the night.
- Soft-touch electronic control. Set the temperature with a press. No fiddly dial to guess at.
- Automatic LED interior light. You can see what's in there without holding a torch in your teeth.
- Battery cut-out built in. It shuts down at 10.4V so it can't flatten your house battery on you.
Why You Should Consider a Dometic Compressor Fridge
Dometic have built RV refrigerators for decades, and RU Core is the value end of their own range rather than another company's product wearing their badge. Same Australian parts network, same authorised service agents. On an appliance you cut into your van and keep for a decade, being able to get a part in five years time is what actually matters. See the rest of the Dometic range.
RUC5204X Specifications
| Fridge type | Compressor refrigerator, dual zone |
| Total capacity | 145L |
| Refrigerator compartment | 132L |
| Freezer compartment | 13L |
| Doors | Two, separate fridge and freezer |
| External size (W x H x D) | 550 x 1191 x 677mm |
| Cabinet size without flange (W x H) | 525 x 1178mm |
| Depth from flange rear face | 611mm |
| Net weight | 41kg |
| Connection voltage (DC) | 12V / 24V |
| Connection voltage (AC) | None. This model is 12/24V DC only |
| Power consumption | 88W |
| Rated current | 7.3A at 12V, 3.65A at 24V |
| Battery protection (12V) | Cut-out 10.4V, cut-in 11.7V |
| Battery protection (24V) | Cut-out 22.8V, cut-in 24.2V |
| Fridge temperature range | 0 to 8 degrees |
| Freezer temperature range | -20 to -10 degrees |
| Climate class | T (16 to 43 degrees ambient) |
| Refrigerant | R600a, 19g |
| Insulation | Polyurethane |
| Cooling circuit | Hermetically sealed |
| Noise emission | Under 45 dB(A) |
| Interior light | Automatic LED |
| Maximum load per door | 10.5kg |
| Control | Soft-touch electronic, UES thermostat |
| Drain plug | Yes |
| Certification | RCM |
| Warranty | 3 years against manufacturing defects |
| Model | RUC5204X |
| Item number | 9630000190 |
| Barcode (EAN-13) | 7333497004750 |
The RUC5204X runs on 12V and 24V only
Get this straight before you order. Dometic's own manual for this range says the RUC5204X, RUC6404X and RUC8404X are suitable for use with a 12V or 24V supply, and the manual has no section on connecting to AC power at all. There is no 240V plug and no automatic changeover on a powered site. Your house battery runs the fridge and your charger runs the battery. In a van with a proper power-management system that converts incoming mains to DC, you will never notice. In an older van with a tired battery and a basic charger, you will. If you want mains-direct operation, buy the RUC5308X instead.
Why a compressor fridge suits a small van
A three-way fridge needs external vents, a flue and the van sitting reasonably level to cool properly. A compressor fridge needs none of that. Dometic rate their compressor models for stable cooling and freezing even when tilted, and this one carries a T climate class covering 16 to 43 degrees ambient. In a pop-top or a camper parked wherever there's shade, that's worth more than the gas option you're giving up. It also runs under 45 dB(A), which counts when you're sleeping two metres from it.
What the RUC5204X draws from your batteries
Dometic rate it at 88W, drawing 7.3A at 12V or 3.65A at 24V while the compressor runs. It cycles rather than running constantly, so your daily figure depends on heat and how often you open the door. The fridge cuts out at 10.4V and won't restart until the battery recovers to 11.7V. Because there's no mains input on this model, your battery and charging have to carry it every day of the trip. Call us before you commit.
Fitting the RUC5204X into a short cabinet
At 1191mm tall this is the RU Core that fits where the others won't. The opening needs 525 x 1178mm clear without the flange and 611mm of depth behind the flange face. It gets cut in, wired to 12V and fixed down against corrugations, and at 41kg it's still a two-person lift. Dometic sell a ventilation grille, a roof vent kit and an internal vent kit for this range, and your installer picks the right one. Measure your opening before you order, because 550mm width is the dimension you can't work around.
What's Included
- Refrigerator
- Drain hose
- Bottom trim piece
- Sealing strip
- Installation and operating manual
What's Not Included
- Installation and cabinetry
- 12V wiring, fusing and cabling
- 240V mains operation (this model is 12/24V DC only)
- Ventilation grille, roof vent or internal vent kit
- Decor door panel
Dometic supply the drain hose, bottom trim and sealing strip in the box. The LS300 ventilation grille, roof vent kit and internal vent kit are separate Dometic accessories, and your installer will tell you which one your van needs. Confirm the cabinet opening with your caravan repairer before you order.
Not Sure Which Upright Fridge Suits Your Van?
The RUC5204X is the smallest upright we stock, and for a lot of small vans it is the right answer. If you want the same size with a 240V input, the RUC5308X is 146 litres and runs on 12V, 24V and mains. If you need more room, the 180L RUC6404X is the same fridge in a taller body. Both sit in our RV fridges. The honest catch here is the 13 litre freezer. It is small, and it is the thing owners most often wish they had more of. Dometic back this one for three years against manufacturing defects, and your Australian Consumer Law rights sit alongside that.