Fridges - Compressor or 3 Way?

berniebob · Newbie

Fridges - Compressor or 3 Way?

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Fridges - Compressor or 3 Way

berniebob · Newbie

Fridges - Compressor or 3 Way?

macka17 · Guru

Don't even think about it.
In the smaller sizes they equiv pricing.

3 ways are ok in Tassie winters.

Elsewhere ... Compressor.

I've dropped 2 x 3 ways down the dump in last 6 yrs or so.
Can't sell them.

Radar · Guru

berniebob wrote:
Hi Grey Nomads, We are NEW Grey Nomads in the process of buying our first new caravan and this van (Retreat/Fraser) comes with a compressor fridge/freezer which they insist is much better on 12v all the time. But, we feel a 3 way fridge will give us more options in different situations. Does anyone have a 12v compressor fridge and what do they think of

Hi Bernie Bob.

First off Bob I have 12 compressor frig in my ute, it is great but when power is low its the first to be shut down, small ammounts of wine was placed in the 3 way running on gas.

We have 320 watts of solar and 2 batteries 100 & 80 amp each the best part this week in this unstable weather the frig worked well on gas keeping my ice cream frozen, just great but I did turn the 12 volt frig off to maintain my batteries just in case.

These new range of 3 ways seem so superior to the earlier models, model number must have a "T" in it. We will remain a 3 way fan for a long time yet, my earlier 3 ways were testing at times but not now. We really like our near new 3 way 185 litre Dometic and our previous 8 year old 155 litre Dometic with no maintenance cost.

As for having plenty of solar and batteries I think from following this forum for a number of years you may need to double the solar and add one more battery.

Hope this may help in some small way but really keep an open mind on both modes of refrigeration.

Enjoy your travels.

Hetho · Senior Member

Hi Berniebob.

I fitted a Nova Kool upright fridge/freezer, model RFU9000, 258 Ltr (freezer is below) in my van and it works a treat both in 46 degrees in Port Hedland, Broome, Kunners, WA, and same result when we are in Melbourne or home in Mandurah.

I have 2 x 100 Amp batteries on board and the fridge is wired to a fuse box then the batteries. Both batteries a connected to a CTEC 40 amp chargers.

The fridge will draw 5.5 amps when the compressor is running. I have it set on level 3, think it goes to 7 or 8.

And yes it will keep icecream frozen on this setting. Sometimes use a higher setting if we need to freeze stuff.

And yes we are on the grid, However; we are doing the "Big Lap" after christmas this year and I will have a solar system onboard so we can be off grid if/when it suites.

I`ve had the fridge run for 2.5 days (Cool conditions and did not open the door) before it shuts down. (fridge shuts down when battery voltage gets to 10.4 Volts, and will not restart until the battery voltage gets up to 11.7).

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Hetho.

Desert Dweller · Guru

We've had a 3 way fridge in our caravan since new 5 years ago. It always struggles when the temperature hits 30 or over. From what we know so does every other 3 way fridge.

iana · Guru

We have a 12v compressor type fridge, so far no problems. But because we are now very dependent on our 12v capacity, I will be installing an extra solar panel on the caravan, bringing our total up to 450w, I have also installed an extra battery in the tug, and plan also to have a portable solar panel that can be mounted on the roof of the tug canopy.
I can supply 12v via the tug to the caravan when things get despite. Of course if you are in a caravan park there is no problem, and while staying in a park last we were in a forest, and during the week received no solar charging because of the tree shadows.

Meredith · Senior Member

Desert Dweller wrote:
We've had a 3 way fridge in our caravan since new 5 years ago. It always struggles when the temperature hits 30 or over. From what we know so does every other 3 way fridge.

So does ours. Below 30C its a pretty good fridge, and we do find it handy to be able to run it on gas when free camping, but if we were buying from new now we would choose a compressor fridge. Solar is getting cheaper all the time so adding more to the van to run a compressor fridge isn't the expense it once was

macka17 · Guru

Regarding solar and 240 fridges.
My last van for 13 yrs. 110ltr Waeco installed for last 9 yrs.
Plus 80 ltr Fr\Freezer Waeco outside in car when parked.
Had 340w panels. 1 then 2 x 110a AGM's.
(2 x 85w NZ77Z at beginning coupla yrs)

I also carry a genny and 40a Charger for Air cond and tools.

We live in tropics. Van lived in tropics. Including Darwin to Wyndham.
for 3-4 months most yrs for a looong time.

Fridge Ran on 3-4 setting. Freezing I.C., Meat, etc in top section, Easily.

It ran comfortably on one battery for a few yrs. Second just backup mainly.
and I got it cheap.
Never ran battery's down below 12.5v. Always floating by 11am ish.
With sun.

If you keep battery's OUTSIDE van. Good quality WET cells do job fine.
EXIDE EXTREMES etc.

AGM only really for sooks, inside.
Wet cells in vented box under bed or in wheel arch did people for decades.
No problems.
Most people in Yachts\boats, bouncing round at sea. Still go the Decent Wet cells.
I ran 6, some run up to 8 or 12.

PS.
The 2 3 ways I dumped were T (Tropics) Rated.
Still went to dump. One had new 12v and mains elements in it too
near $250 worth, I did try them first.

Compressor really ARE that much better with solar on van

Single 200w panel with 85a AGM in this latest van.
Only use for fishing and leaving at different areas though.

Has '99 vintage 3 way. BUT I run my 80 ltr Waeco in car.
Through cable to van and 80w panel on ute tray.

That 80 w plus a mobile 40w run the mobile Waeco
When full. with 2 x 85a Wet cells in tray.
But running the car or starting Air Cond 3.8kva genny are options
if ever needed.

No matter what you run. If much electrical.

and no matter WHAT the whingers on here say.

Caravans NEED Genny's if full or long time.

Mainly Air-Cond plus tools AND occasionally, Battery.

The sun does NOT shine all the time.

As this last near 12 days of solid rain here has again proven.

leajoy · Veteran Member

Hi we have a Waeco 175l compressor fridge in our van. What I like about it is the amount of room in it as you don't have the fins/grills inside the fridge as you do with a 3 way fridge, therefore more room for food if going off the grid. I am always amazed at how much food I get in it. On the technical side, we have 3 x 105 amp hour batteries and 2 x 150 watt solar panels. We also carry another blanket type panel if we need a bit extra power added and also to keep the 40l Engel battery topped up if we are parked up for more than a day. If your van is still in the ordering stage I would add an extra solar panel to the van roof which we may do at some stage. We also carry a generator for the rare time there isn't enough sun. We never have an issue with the fridge being cold emough even in 30+ degrees. Good luck with your decision.

Radar · Guru

Once again hi Bernie bob.

Further to this discussion about 12 volt fridges over 3 way types.

12 volt fridges have a compressor with moving parts which possibly for a light sleeper may be annoying where as a 3 ways dont have any moving parts that makes them silent running. I found at times while driving my truck with a 40 ltr in it I would reach down and switch the fridge off while trying to sleep.

As for getting into any arguments about which is the better in extreme heat yes I would agree 12 volt compressors but for general duty the 3 ways have served us well in last 4 years of travelling the eastern side of Australia Brisbane to Cooktown to Melbourne and far west Queensland.

The smaller 60, 90 litre ones before the last 2 were really only cooler boxes but the last 2 150 and 185 litre are great and have been very reliable.

It would be interesting knowing the weigh difference between a gas set up and a 12 volt set up, each battery you add is somewhere around the 30 kg mark 38 kg for a larger one plus extra solar panels, it all seems never ending.

Ask are the silent.

How much weight you are adding.

Will I have enough power

Do I need a generator.

Just a couple of questions.

macka17 · Guru

Comparisons would be interesting.

But. Just remember.
If your difference between tug and car. isn't at least 3\400kg.
With a living in sized van nawadays.

ONE of them is either too small
or too big. Take your pick.
But always lean towards SAFETY.

Tug reasonable weight heavier than van
You tow much safer.
IE the VAN doesn't steer the tug.

A person shouldn't be counting the kilo's to max.
in the 30\50kg range.

And a UTE. No matter which one.
can only tow Safely... around 2.5ton.
ABSOLUTE max.
Read a little about it on forums. here and elsewhere.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

As long as you know the limits of both . We fitted two external fans to our 3 way . Also have 60 litre 12/240v fridge freezer . Up north we used as freezer as we thought the 3 way would struggle . 300 watt, 200 amp hour batteries did fine . If your camping in an ping grounds with 240 ? Your fine . Or set up with deep cycle batteries off your tugs charging system and move or drive every second day ? That can work too ., Our 3 way worked ok or did the job while up in NT. Inland a little at night it gets quite cool so has time to recover . During the day it hardly maintains or cools once door is left open till overnight . Where a compressor fridge just cools .

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

If fitting new ? 12/240v compressor .

banjo · Senior Member

Simply no comparison between a 3 way and a proper fridge (compressor type).

Had both in previous vans and once you've had a real fridge, you will never go back to the dark ages. No extra fans, no smoke and mirrors, just a fridge that works, but you must have enough solar and battery power to be reliable in all conditions.

And really on a caravan you can never have too much solar.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

You might have problems getting a three-way with the "T" specification. Even vans sold in Townsville come with an "S" specification! From what I learnt not so long ago, the "T" fridge has a fan to assist the removal of the hot air from the back of the fridge.

I modified my Eagle with a fan top (suck) & bottom (blow) & a shade over the area when the sun landed on that side of the van. Had no further problems. My newer Discovery - there is no room for a fan at the bottom - will have to consider two at the the top (sucking the hot air out).

I have a 60L Trailblazer in the back of the car - both have their limitations. Consider the extra weight you may have to carry (extra batteries, generator, extra fuel).

berniebob · Newbie

I would like to thank you all for your comments and advice. It is very much appreciated.
As we will be travelling around the whole of Oz we are leaning towards the 12v compressor as we have plenty of power via 2 x 150w solar panels and 2xBatteries. I also took in the comments of the compressor as not being effected during the hot weather. I am aware that the 3way fridge struggle with the heat, which we discussed with Retreat, with conversations about a shade cloth on the non awning side of the van. So, we have decided to go with the compressor fridge.
Once again, thank you all for your time to reply to me.
We are looking forward to our trip around OZ... can't wait!!
Maybe, we will cross paths one day!

iana · Guru

Just a couple of points to mention now that you have decided, the Waeco 12v compressor type fridge is a 12v-24v fridge, not a 12-24v/240v fridge. To get the fridge to run on 240 volts you need the Waeco CoolPower MP550 240v to 12v converter that changes over when it senses the van is connected to 240v.

You need this unless you have a power supply system in the van that drops the voltage down to 12v, in that case you just have the fridge connected to one of the 12v circuits. My new van had one of these MP550's fitted, and there was a conflict in polarities somehow and fuses kept blowing. I just removed it, as its not required.

Also if you by a van such as a Jayco, you will be given a circuit diagram of the plug connections required at the tugs socket, this circuit diagram shows a pair of heavy wires Fridge earth and Fridge positive, and these are used to run a 3 way fridge while traveling. With our van these two wires run part way under the chassis and are not connected to anything, the fridge while traveling ran on solar.

I have installed an auxillary battery in the tug charged via a DC-DC charger, and I have connected those wires to the auxillary input of the vans electrical system. What this allows me to do, is to disconnect the vans house batteries while traveling so they can get all the benefit of solar charging, and while the van is connected to the tug the fridge still runs via the auxillary battery in the tug, even if this battery is run to that the voltage cutout applies, the tugs main battery is unaffected. It also means I can when power is critical take power from the tug, and even run the motor if in extreme trouble.

macka17 · Guru

Any 240\12v power supply over around 7 a will cover Waeco's.
Which ARE probably the better avail,. in that price range.

THEIR power supply. I had 2 of the largest output ones
b4 getting a bit of sense and going elsewhere.
They contractor made. Both calked within 4 yrs.

I actually just have a smart charger in van for battery's. 25a.
This van Basic. Just a 10a.

It tops battery's nicely and they run van fridge too.
I have often just stuck my 40a 4 way charger in tray
to run my 80ltr Waeco and top up car battery's x 3..

13\14 yrs later. apart from one fan replacement.
and new lid on wty.
It's still ticking over nicely.

Just have a 25-40a smart charger.
It'll cover all SAFELY.

If van cable a little light on to fridge.
I always add another length from battery board to fridge 12v inlet point.

If accessable inside van Fine.

But I, so far, 4 of them
have just run heavy double sheathed in ripple sleeve.
UNDER floor of van. and up through existing, or new
1\2in ish hole in floor to 12v point.
. Sika round it after.

pws25 · Senior Member

hi Leajoy,..... my van has the exact solar & batteries as yours, in average conditions & use.... how long can your fridge run on a full charge?? thanks ...... Phil.....

Bryan · Guru

I had the compressor fridge in my Avan Applause and it was fine. The current draw was low and the solar was there for peace of mind. The fact that if we wanted to go anywhere, we had to take the home with us ensured that the battery was kept charged as we were often on the move.

We opted for the 3 way in the caravan as the van sometimes sits for a quite a while as we explore the countryside by car and with the fridge on gas its a lot less stress on the house battery even though its being trickle charged by solar.

macka17 · Guru

My last van sat beside pool for over 6 yrs, unused
(Overseas trips in lieu of.)

340w panels, 2 x 110a batt's.
Fridge permanently on with 1\2 doz 4 ltr waters in there.
coupla 2 ltr in freezer.

Just ticked over and lovely cold whenever we checked.

If you going to be plugged in.
may as well be a charger to keep battery floating as well as fridge running.
rather than just an individual item for running fridge
As well as charger for van too. I reckon.

Took me a while to figure that one out. Drrrr.
It came with the power pack.

River rob · Member

Hi berniebob Just read your post from april 2017. We are about to pick up a new retreat fraser van witg compressor fridge and are interested to know how yours has been going. Retreat also told us the compressor fridge was the way to go So we are interested in your opinion. Thanks Rob

River rob · Member

Hi Berniebob Just read your post from april 2017 We are about to pick up a new retreat fraser van with compressor fridge and are interested to know how yours has been going. Retreat also told us the compressor fridge was the way to go. We are very interested know how yours has been performing. Thanks Rob .

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

12 v or even 240 with inverter is better than 3 way . I changed mind 18 months ago . Set the temp and forget . Have 210 fridge / freezer and 50 litre portable . Continuously running on Solar . Unless we have more than 4 overcast days we dont require 240 to charge batteries . 3 way is ok for weekends away . But going outback ? Gas bottles can be hell expensive ! I would say Ive paid for compressor fridge just by the saving of gas bottles .

River rob · Member

Hi Aus Kiwi Just wondering what your solar set up is? We will have 300w solar with 2 x 120amp batteries

yobarr · Guru

River rob wrote:
Hi Aus Kiwi Just wondering what your solar set up is? We will have 300w solar with 2 x 120amp batteries

For 240ah of batteries youll need at least 500 watts Solar.On my van I have 1710 watts Solar and 540ah of Lithium,and on the car I have 190 watts Solar and 90ah Lithium.I can run my 2.5kw MHI 2.5kw reverse cycle AC 24/7,no worries.No gas in the van (except for a griller that is very rarely turned on) and all cooking is done in electric frypan,slow cooker,air fryer (does a beautiful roast in just over an hour) or microwave,and I use an electric jug to boil water.I also run an Evakool 175 litre 2 door fridge/freezee.The system on the car keeps my freezer on -18 c for months on end,and is not connected to the house battery.You never can have too much Solar,but youll need Solar watts that are at least two times your battery capacity figures if you want it all to be a success.Just my thoughts.Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 24th of October 2018 05:52:20 AM

BruDi · Senior Member

Our new (last year) van we had fitted with solar panels and a compressor fridge. Now I would never have anything other than such a fridge. It runs permanently on 12v. Our previous 3 vans were all 3 way. The first one was useless on 12v as was the second until we talked with a 12volt supplier and had a modification made so that it was more efficient on 12 volt. I think, from memory it was organised to run from the van batteries when on 12 volt. We had the same thing done with our next van and it too was excellent.

Our van is stored off site under cover and to keep the batteries charged is plugged into 240.

We've used compressor fridges in our vehicles for over 25 years and they've worked a treat. However we have also carried solar panels. We still have solar panels that we use for them when bush camping.

Enjoy your van and travels, Berniebob.

Di

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

We have 400 watt panels . No issues . Run two fridges . Just turn both thermostats down when not in use . Well they are but at home . Keeps the wine cold . Solar reg is blinking green state of charge buy 11.00 most days . 13+ volts .