My brother has just ordered a new 21' van and can't make up his mind re fitting a compressor fridge or a 3 way fridge.
The van will have 2 x 150 solar panels and 2 x 120 amp hr batteries.
I told him to join the Grey Nomads and ask for advice but he is too shy.
Can anyone give some advice, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Hendo
bill12 said
09:22 AM Jun 23, 2014
If you are going to anywhere its hot, get a compresser fridge.I have tried both, and the 3ways don,t seem to work well up here in Nq heat, while the waeco goes down to minus 18c if you want it to. Your solar/battery setup seems to be big enough for a fairly big sized comp. fridge,and they even make ones that look like household fridges if you want them. Also, no gas bills. Bill
Cruising Cruze said
09:44 AM Jun 23, 2014
Hi Hendo
I just put my 70 ltr Fridge/freezer in the back of my ute
it will run on a 120 watt solar panel no problem at all as long there is sun
As Bill told you the 3 way fridges don't cut it in the tropics
at least mine won't work proper above 32C
that's why we went with the Evakool 12/240 volt
and maybe you have to use a genny a few times a year when it is cloudy for a few days
Cheers John
Baz421 said
10:43 AM Jun 23, 2014
For us
the ute has 120W solar panel and Waeco 50 l 12V fridge,, looks after itself 95% of the time.
the van 480W solar and 400aH of AGM batteries and 150l 12V 2 door fridge freezer ,, looks after itself 100% of the time (I flatten batteries by other means , lol)
Mike C said
11:45 AM Jun 23, 2014
We had the 3 way for many years in a camper trailer. It was fitted with a tropical kit (thermostat fans to increase airflow over back fins).
did a good job but still struggled on real hot days.
We now have a large 2 door compressor unit and in my view so much better in operation but can be a problem if overcast and solar power limited. (Generator backup is handy).
If camped up for a few weeks in the bush you will run out of Gas (9kg lasted us about 3 weeks)
Lettuce will not keep well in them.
You need to turn them down over night on real cold nights or everything will get frozen.
You need to ensure that you cant accidently leave them on 12v which will quickly flatten your batteries.
just my thoughts.
cheers
Mike
New Wanderers said
09:56 PM Jun 23, 2014
We recently ordered our new caravan with a Waeco 175 ltr compressor fridge because of its ability to handle the heat compared to a three way fridge. You could also look on the Caravansforum, there is also threads regarding this comparison.
SnowT said
11:21 PM Jun 23, 2014
ok here goes.
Lithium Battery system 24v 300Ah Pack.
- I'm running a Samsung 218l Digital Inverter Fridge..
it draw's about 4A's and does about 10% draw over night..
- Extremely Efficient fridge..
- Super Cold..
That is one example there are many more great fridges available..
-- Far cheaper to buy a Domestic[Household] fridge over a purpose built Caravan/Motor-home fridge..
What you need to work out is the size fridge that will fit in the space you have available..
- The newer fridge's are the best way to go..
Juergen
Aus-Kiwi said
11:50 PM Jun 23, 2014
I have a built in 3way fridge freezer .. Yes I assume issues up north . I notice it has two fans on on temp switch ..it's a big job to change the fridge / freezer ! I'm thinking of another portable compressor but only 120 watt solar ..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Tuesday 24th of June 2014 12:04:20 AM
PeterD said
12:39 AM Jun 24, 2014
There i nothing wrong with the right fridge if it is installed properly. Make sure the fridge in not one of those bow fronted ones made in Germany. Get one with flat front doors made in Sweden, they will have the full T climate rating. We have no problems with ours in the hot parts of Oz. Gas bottles are lighter to carry around than large battery banks.
Hendo said
04:29 PM Jun 24, 2014
Thanks everyone! I don't think it will be long before Grey Nomads has another member. Look out for Hendo2, although he can't tell funny jokes like I can. He was very impressed with your replies and passes on his thanks. Looks like he will go for the compressor type in his new Retreat van.
Thanks again
Hendo
hotqld said
07:23 PM Jun 24, 2014
3 way fridge freezer I think we have been conned with all this talk about tropical ratings etc. We have a Dometic 180 fridge freezer USA build with 325watt elements. The Aussie ones are European built and the same size fridge freezer has 175 - 250 maybe one model at 325 watts.
Mine is 6 cu feet refrigeration / freezer space with 325 watts driving it.
Obviously smaller refrigeration units driving the same size fridge will not perform as good in higher temperatures. Insulation you can push more in sides and top. Look closely at the size of the element. Ours will keep things frozen when its 45c and cold drinks.
Compressor fridge freezer 12V Absolutely on ebay I see them for about $800.00 and a good 3 way is around $3000.00. I reckon sink that $2200 into more solar 600 watt panels and 200AH litium batteries.
A 3 way running on propane will cost you a bottle a week ...$25.00 where the solar option is nil. Its really a no brainer ...go compressor big solar and Li Batteries, if you are starting from scratch.
-- Edited by hotqld on Tuesday 24th of June 2014 07:25:05 PM
pauline said
07:26 PM Jun 24, 2014
Definitely a compressor fridge, 1 week of 42 degrees plus weather in January and it worked great, though we were on power.
Hi
My brother has just ordered a new 21' van and can't make up his mind re fitting a compressor fridge or a 3 way fridge.
The van will have 2 x 150 solar panels and 2 x 120 amp hr batteries.
I told him to join the Grey Nomads and ask for advice but he is too shy.
Can anyone give some advice, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Hendo
Hi Hendo
I just put my 70 ltr Fridge/freezer in the back of my ute
it will run on a 120 watt solar panel no problem at all as long there is sun
As Bill told you the 3 way fridges don't cut it in the tropics
at least mine won't work proper above 32C
that's why we went with the Evakool 12/240 volt
and maybe you have to use a genny a few times a year when it is cloudy for a few days
Cheers John
For us
the ute has 120W solar panel and Waeco 50 l 12V fridge,, looks after itself 95% of the time.
the van 480W solar and 400aH of AGM batteries and 150l 12V 2 door fridge freezer ,, looks after itself 100% of the time (I flatten batteries by other means , lol)
did a good job but still struggled on real hot days.
We now have a large 2 door compressor unit and in my view so much better in operation but can be a problem if overcast and solar power limited. (Generator backup is handy).
If camped up for a few weeks in the bush you will run out of Gas (9kg lasted us about 3 weeks)
Lettuce will not keep well in them.
You need to turn them down over night on real cold nights or everything will get frozen.
You need to ensure that you cant accidently leave them on 12v which will quickly flatten your batteries.
just my thoughts.
cheers
Mike
Lithium Battery system 24v 300Ah Pack.
- I'm running a Samsung 218l Digital Inverter Fridge..
it draw's about 4A's and does about 10% draw over night..
- Extremely Efficient fridge..
- Super Cold..
That is one example there are many more great fridges available..
-- Far cheaper to buy a Domestic[Household] fridge over a purpose built Caravan/Motor-home fridge..
What you need to work out is the size fridge that will fit in the space you have available..
- The newer fridge's are the best way to go..
Juergen
I have a built in 3way fridge freezer .. Yes I assume issues up north . I notice it has two fans on on temp switch ..it's a big job to change the fridge / freezer ! I'm thinking of another portable compressor but only 120 watt solar ..
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Tuesday 24th of June 2014 12:04:20 AM
Thanks again
Hendo
3 way fridge freezer
I think we have been conned with all this talk about tropical ratings etc.
We have a Dometic 180 fridge freezer USA build with 325watt elements.
The Aussie ones are European built and the same size fridge freezer has 175 - 250 maybe one model at 325 watts.
Mine is 6 cu feet refrigeration / freezer space with 325 watts driving it.
Obviously smaller refrigeration units driving the same size fridge will not perform as good in higher temperatures.
Insulation you can push more in sides and top.
Look closely at the size of the element. Ours will keep things frozen when its 45c and cold drinks.
Compressor fridge freezer 12V
Absolutely on ebay I see them for about $800.00 and a good 3 way is around $3000.00.
I reckon sink that $2200 into more solar 600 watt panels and 200AH litium batteries.
A 3 way running on propane will cost you a bottle a week ...$25.00 where the solar option is nil.
Its really a no brainer ...go compressor big solar and Li Batteries, if you are starting from scratch.
-- Edited by hotqld on Tuesday 24th of June 2014 07:25:05 PM
Compressor.....
No comparison really the compressor wins hands down.Strangely enough they work as a fridge should, without pampering with extra fans etc.
We do have 600W of solar though so for reliable inclement weather operation he may need more solar. Have genny but never used it in 2 years full time.
Another thing is we use very little gas now.
Nothing better than evidence like this to provide advice.
Thought you didnt have any 240V in your van hotqld
We have 240V, and run the fridge on a 240V to 12V converter with 325w 12V element or propane or solar / batteries carefully.
If our 3way died ...it would be Li batteries and compressor fridge without hesitation.
-- Edited by hotqld on Thursday 26th of June 2014 10:56:43 PM
-- Edited by hotqld on Thursday 26th of June 2014 10:57:51 PM