12volt or Gas Is Best?????

Wombat · Veteran Member

12volt or Gas Is Best?????

Rolly · Guru

I've been researching the same topic, Wombat.
It seems that even the T (tropical) rated 3-way fridges struggle with ambient temperatures over 30°C especially as they are so very slow to recover temperature after being opened to access things.
Running a mid-sized one will chew through a 9Kg bottle of gas in under 3 weeks.

On the other hand, a compressor fridge will need at least a 100 watt solar panel and a minimum of 55 Ah battery to operate when stationary and not getting any charge from the car.
If the weather is inclement then you will either have to top up the batteries by running the car alternator or by running a small generator.
That is unless you regularly connect to "shore" (mains) power.

In terms of food hygiene there is no question that the compressor fridges are a league ahead of the 3 way (absorption) kind, both in their ability to maintain the necessary 4°C in the main area at all times, and in the requirement to keep frozen foods at below 16°C in the freezer.

With an adequate solar set-up there are no running costs and very little maintenance.

With a 3-way, $8 - $10 a week is normal on gas and there are a few maintenance issues.
When not traveling they must be kept absolutely level.
On 12V they chew up an unacceptable amount of power.

I reckon that for long term living away from shore power, solar and a compressor fridge is the way to go.
They will pay for the initial expense quite soon, especially if you are inclined to spend time away from paid camp sites.

HTH

Nigel

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

I agree with Rolly.
Compressor 'fridges outperform absorbtion when ambients get very high.

When you choose a unit, go for one with a remote compressor. That will allow you to add additional insulation all around the cabinet and reduce the power consumption.

Be aware that in the tropics the power consumption will still be high when it is raining and the solar collection is low. These are tough conditions, so you need every trick you can find to collect power and reduce consumption.

Cheers,
Peter

Goanna · Member

Hi Peter, remote compressor types do you know of any brands...Cheers Geoff.

dave06 · Guru

12 volt would be the way to go, and if you must go three way then get a "T" rated with an extra gas bottle

engel have very good remote compressor types, viewable on their website

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Geoff,
We have a 130L Victrofrigo (Italian) with a remote compressor (purchased locally and often has a different brand on it).
I also built a small freezer using Waeco components purchased seperately (a Danfoss BD35 compressor and a flat plate evaporator, both with quick connect gas fittings). So that has the compressor remote too and 150mm of urethane insulation.

Cheers,
Peter

milo · Senior Member

our fridge has options of 12 v gas or shore power, would that be classed as as three way ?

Rolly · Guru

milo wrote:

our fridge has options of 12 v gas or shore power, would that be classed as as three way ?

Yes.

dave06 · Guru

"three way" simply means three ways of running the fridge, they are also called an "absorption" fridge

if it is 12 volt or 240 power only then it is compressor, three ways are always absorption, if it uses gas then it is absorption

justcruisin01 · Guru

Hi Noel, 3 way fridges up north are a wast of time & fuel,been there & done that.As for running them on 12volt ,thet need 6-8 amps 24/7 need a big system to run that,[remember no aolar at night] they work best on gas anyway .
Bite the bullet & buy compressor,good quility with as much insulation as possible.thay way you will have a coldy at the end of the day.
Our's will freeze the fish catch in 50plus ambeint temps, can't ask for much more,[gues you can but it ain't going to happen!!!!!!!!!! ] Safe travells.......................JIM.

PeterD · Guru

Rolly wrote:
I've been researching the same topic, Wombat.It seems that even the T (tropical) rated 3-way fridges struggle with ambient temperatures over 30°C especially as they are so very slow to recover temperature after being opened to access things.
Running a mid-sized one will chew through a 9Kg bottle of gas in under 3 weeks.

Nigel

The people who spread this rumour either have evil intent, heard it from others without checking it thoroughly, have owned a RM4401 model or have not corrected their bad installation. My RM2453 fridge has been installed properly and I have never had any problem with it. I had little problem with my previous non 'T' rated fridge. The fridge before that had poor operation, I checked the installation and found that was where the fault lay. When I had the top vent shifted up where it was supposed to be located I only had problems on days of over 35 deg days.

PeterD

dave06 · Guru

I agree with Peter on this one about the "T" rated fridges they are very good in all manner of temperature ranges, the trouble was when I was buying them (when the earth was first born) the price difference between the "T" rated fridge and the compressor fridge was minimal, however they still had to be dead level, and in some of my camps that was impossible,

I also had very little trouble with my non tropical fridge as long as it was always ensured to be "perfectly" level and the temp stayed below about 32,

it became very quickly apparent that in the north and the kimberley in particular, where I was based at the time, a non compressor type fridge was going to be a waste of time, I purchased my first engel, a double green affair, and never looked back

the problem is with a lot of people who think they know about things and listen to what other inexperienced people are saying can very quickly spread false rumours

bottom line if you are an eastern state traveller and rarely travel when temps are going to be over 32 then a good quality "absorption" fridge is just fine, if travelling to the tropics or through the centre then go ahead and buy a "T" rated with confidence

however do not buy a cheapy and expect top line results, the old adage of you get what you pay for certainly comes into this theory