I know this has been discussed many times but we are about to set off on the "big lap" We purchased our 2nd hand van with a 12/240 compressor fridge newly installed and was given the former 3 way fridge as well. We use the 3 way on the patio as a bar fridge and it works like magic. With all the talk about having enough solar + batteries to cope with free camping I am wondering are the 3 ways that bad to change to a fridge that needs so much power instead of using the gas?
We have had the 12v fridge on throughout the Christmas break, the electrics are keeping up quite well. Its winter and the bad weather days when you may want to consider a back-up of some sort. I am just trying to set up while we have a home and facilities before we sell and move out. A three way fridge lessens the dependency on power, but where's your adventures spirit.
We free camped for a week during winter, bad weather and overcast, and we were really counting the amps. Would not have lasted much longer.
I'm now checking out flexible solar panels as a back up, less weight, less room.
Hi Kim, we have had both types of fridge and our currant van has a vitrifrigo compressor fridge. Works just like fridge at home, 3 to 4 degrees in fridge and minus 18 to 20 in freezer in Darwin with temp of 37 degrees.
Keeps ice cream frozen, something we could never do with a 3 way fridge.
We would never go back to a 3 way. But you have to be able to keep power available, I see that you have 240 volts as well as 12 volts, you can always go on power if weather is bad for long period of time, you have the best of choices. Stay with the compressor. You may also find that the 3 way might not fit through door, not good if you ever need service.
Solar and 12\24\240v fridge go together like chalk and cheese.
WHAT.. is the make of 12\240 compressor fridge?
They "normally" a huge difference in power consumption to the 3 ways.
Waeco probably the best.
More efficient than Vitrifrigo. Same compressor. better insulation apparently.
I always get some1\4-3\8ths Styrene sheeting, (coupla, three layers to suit)
and line fridge area first for extra insulation.
Does make a difference. Just leave breathing space open.
You'll need a coupla 120w panels min, to run though.
with one or more 100a Battery's.
More panels down South.
My whole van sans Air Cond, ran on 340w panels and 2 x 100a Battery's
All over Aust.
WITH genny for backup rarely usedbut always there.
My last 3 vans I threw 3 ways in bin and changed.
They that good.
latest van just a local short hauler.
3 way IN van. Came with it.
80ltr Waeco in tray of ute with panel on roof of ute
and van too.
Some old fashioned ones stick by them though.
But if you have solar and\or genny I can't see why.
10 times MORE efficient in the hotter climes and used regularly.
Proven by thousands.
PS.
Removal of the bigger fridges is "normally" a window removal job.
Have fun.
They normally make a decent garage 240 fridge though.
Forget gas and battery. They suck.
IF they noisy.
TRY to lift a little from centre and put some rubber sheeting or feet under existing feet.
Separation\Insulation from vibration.
In extreme. a mate had a large fridge. Shook you out of bed some nights (literally)
He couldn't place cushioning under.
So he located the feet position From UNDER the van (Accurate measurements X 50.)
Then cut (hole cutter on drill) 4 holes corresponding to feet.
Made 4 LARGE plates with H\Duty rubber sheeting blocks, depth to suit.
and placed. Jacked up and set bolted all the way round each one
. with epoxy on faces.
Complex 'ish. Maybe a little.
But simple and cheap.
did job and after several yrs touring. Still good sleep at nights.
We also have new van with Evakool 210lt, Question! How noisy is your fridge? Can it be heard running easily or is it fairly silent.
thanks Ian
Hi Ian,
First couple of days with the van, running off the the 1 crap battery that came with the van, compressor kept making popping noises and was quite noisy.
With the system we now have (see my signature) problem solved. If a compressor fridge is noisy, make sure it is getting enough power. Also make sure your van is level. Nonetheless you will still here it running but only just.
Household fridges can be damaged by voltage drop (Brownout) but these 12volt van fridges seem to be able to take it. My IT company used to do insurance clain work for a few of the majors and brownout was a big issue then (10 years ago)
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Kevin Kyle
On the road full time with Son and 21 year old cat and 3 year old Manx.
Toyota Landcruiser 100 series V8. Nextgen semi off-roader. 3 120 AH agm batteries, 1KW Solar
They normally make a decent garage 240 fridge though.
Forget gas and battery. They suck.
For someone who is supposedly so knowledgeable re everything caravanning, I'm surprised that you don't know that 3 way fridges work better on gas than on 240v.
Our little 60l has a low voltage drop out breaker . Good as it doesn't completely drain the battery or kill the compressor motor .. Must say since increasing the standard wire size as I lengthened the lead . It doesn't trip as often . The leads are made to almost minimum spec !
They normally make a decent garage 240 fridge though.
Forget gas and battery. They suck.
For someone who is supposedly so knowledgeable re everything caravanning, I'm surprised that you don't know that 3 way fridges work better on gas than on 240v.
We too have an Evakool 110L plarinum and have just completed a 7month trip to all mainland states. Thr fridge is in a Transit campervan and we do have a Redarc 40A DC-DC charger and 2 new AGM batteries (or they were when we left home) of 120AH each. These are charged by 120W portable solar panels when we are camped. Our estimated demand is 55-60AH/day.
The longest time we stayed in one place was 7 days and the number of times we used the DC-DC charger to help the solar would have been less than 2 hours. Most of our camping was at unpowered sites and when we did stay at powered sites it was because we wanted AC, not to charge the batteries. We did experience a lot of consecutive mid 30s days.Unless we have sustained bad weather we reckon we are self-sufficient, but your power needs might be significantly greater.
You mention that the compressor fridge was installed to replace the 3 way one. That suggests that someone else preferred compressor fridges.
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BJC
"A year from now you'll wish you had started today."
not sure if your Transit is a different layout to ours but we have the starter battery under the drivers seat and 2x 120aH AGM batteries under the passenger seat. We looked at 150aH batteries but they are too long. Hope that helps
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BJC
"A year from now you'll wish you had started today."
What compressor fridge / freezer would replace a 180litre 3 way ? Yes I need to check actual dementions . What brand is everyone using ?? I know the two or three top brands . Has anyone had a good run with budget type .. ? I'll possibly go the $2500!-3000 fridge . Just asking how the sub $1000 have gone ??
I am about to replace my batteries and will consider the 120ah as I have approx. 350 wts solar panels on roof.
Real pain last winter with all the rain in QLD. Only problem with compressor fridges. If you don't have sun they don't work. Otherwise, I think their efficiency is superior to gas.
