We have just purchased our new caravan, a Bailey Rangefinder Nebula and have just completed fitting it out and are now readying ourselves for our first weekend wild camping.
We have 2 x 150W solar panels & 2 x 100amp AGM batteries.
My question is when we arrive at our destination do we set the refrigerator for 12V or for gas?
Without knowing what sort of fridge it is I'd say gas. Ask 10 people, you may get 10 answers. All depends on what other uses you have for the gas & solar. You may even use you solar setup during day and gas at night. You may need a few trips to decide best option. We did.
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We have just purchased our new caravan, a Bailey Rangefinder Nebula and have just completed fitting it out and are now readying ourselves for our first weekend wild camping.
We have 2 x 150W solar panels & 2 x 100amp AGM batteries.
My question is when we arrive at our destination do we set the refrigerator for 12V or for gas?
What is best?
Cheers,
Bill
I would assume your fridge will be a Three Way Fridge. 12v-240v- or Gas. The 12volt option is usually there to maintain the fridge temp while driving/moving on the road. 240volt option for when 240 volt power is available as in Caravan park or Generator. On gas when no power available. I would think the fridge would drain your batteries running on 12v while stopped.
I think you will find you are unable to use 12v whilst camped, only gas or 240v, as elliemike says the 12v set up it is designed for on the road, it isn't very efficient, you need to have oodles of 12v power.
If your system is set up so you have the choice when stationary I reckon you will end up using gas as the 12v would be too taxing on your battery bank.
Those with compressor type fridges use 12v or 240v are much better suited to 12v power at camp.
Cheers Vince
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The 12v heater element on a 3way will draw up to 20amps. Your batteries will be drained to 50% inside of 4 hours.
As has been stated, 12v is just for whilst you are hooked up to a heavy duty charge wire from your car as you are driving.
As soon as you stop at your campsite the process of switching over to Gas should be the first thing on your to do check list and the last thing before you lock the door when driving to the next site.
240 volt is most efficient if you are in a van park. Gas is almost as efficient and 12v will struggle to barely maintain coolness.
A 90 litre 3way in the tropical north will empty a 9kg bottle in 4 weeks
If I was to replace my old 3way fridge it would definitely be a compressor model. They are highly efficient at cooling and freezing in all ambient temperatures and most 180 litre models only draw 3 to 5 amps per hour during the heat of the day when you open the door all the time and half that at night.
And as soon as possible. Change it over for a 12/24v Compressor fridge. There's no comparison.
I have had nothing to do with a compressor fridge, but why would you spend all that money changing over just to save a little bit of gas. If you ordered a new van you may chose one or the other, but you would have to be an imbecile to swap over just because someone advised you to.
IMO while the 3 way is there . I would fit one or two fans inside duct to assist air flow through heat exchangers at rear of fridge . I had NO trouble with my 3 way up in NT . With two little fans I bought from eBay about $60 each with thermostat to control fans . Just make sure you pre cool fridge on 240v the night before leaving or filling with food. You'll be fine ..
And as soon as possible. Change it over for a 12/24v Compressor fridge. There's no comparison.
I have had nothing to do with a compressor fridge, but why would you spend all that money changing over just to save a little bit of gas. If you ordered a new van you may chose one or the other, but you would have to be an imbecile to swap over just because someone advised you to.
Absolutely correct Chris, my fridge runs economically on gas,too throw a lot of cash at a big 12volt system to gain absolutely nothing at all when your system is doing every thing you want it to do, would be stupidity at the highest level...
Gas fridges are great when used predominantly on LPG, on a stable and level surface. They also have a very low up-front cost, just a bottle of gas and you're up and running. Compressor fridges are the best choice when 12V or 24V power is readily available and are a must for all mobile situation
