It's a no brainer.

Couple of points to consider, 3 way fridges have there access panel at the bottom, if you just fit a compressor fridge in that spot, then you may not be able to able to access the compressor etc, the access hatch needs to be put in the correct spot.
I find that early morning battery charge is important, and would split the panels 50/50 fixed and portable.
I have wired the tow vehicle up, so I can connect the aux batteries to supplement the van power, and also so I can start the engine and use it as power for the fridge in extreme cases.

Best thing I ever did . Replacing 3 way . Better off fitting extra solar panels anyway !! Just fitting it through the motorhomes removed window !! 3/4 day to fit . 20 min to connect and get running !!! Existing wires are way larger enough !! Fridge runs at way less amps !!!

No external vent required at all for a compressor fridge = less dust where you don't want it.
Would you fit a gas fridge at home?
You want things cold irrespective of the weather?
Cheers,
Peter

Wanda wrote:

---

Definately don't need an external vent for a compressor fridge, you can have that venting inside, and no, there is no issue with heat.
What I would suggest is an access door(small) to get to the back of your fridge for any maintenance.
I did not and wished I had
Ian

---

 Our compressors (one for the fridge and one for the freezer) are remote from the units, in a nearby cupboard for easy access.

Cheers,

Peter

gdayjr wrote:

---

I have to decide which fridge is going to be fitted into my new Crusader Caravan.

2 people maximum. Free camping as much as possible. 400ah of battery and plenty of solar.

Which would be the better option in a new caravan?

 

Many thanks.

 

 

---

 Hi gdayjr, 

It looks like I am the odd one out.

3 way refrigeration is my choice, main reason is less batteries, over all lighter combined weight, never concern myself where the sun is and no moving parts.

My latest 3 way 184 litre is working a treat on my secondhand 2012 model caravan which I purchased in 2016.

we are running 1x110 amp battery, 2x170 watt solar panels and tour for about 10 months of the year in batchers of 4 to 6 weeks at a time.

I have no thoughts on replacing the frig and if I did need to, it would get some back in its place.

No Radar, you are not the odd man out. Plenty of 3 ways giving sterling service even after 20 years. Those who automatically advise a compressor fridge rarely comment on how critical the electrical system suddenly becomes and probably ignore the inconvenient fact that solar isn't always as reliable as it needs to be. My current bus conversion is all 230 volt electric but doesn't even have a shore power connection, but it has 3200 watts of solar, 560Ah @ 24 volt battery and a 5000VA inverter which wouldn't be possible in most normal caravans or motorhomes. Point is that compressor fridges have to be supplied with electricity 24/7 so careful consideration is required rather than just running out and buying a compressor fridge and hoping for the best

Tony Lee put it very well I thought.

It is not just a simple choice of which is the better device fridge-ing wise, there is a lot more to consider; the first things being where do you intend to spend most of your time and what is your style of camping?

In the southern parts of Oz solar panels are much less effective than in the northern parts. If you camp in forests solar panel become very poor energy producers and if you camp in southern forests in winter they are all but useless and a generator is essential.

Your 400Ah of battery should be OK and I suggest at the very least 1000W of free standing solar with all panels wired in parallel and long leads. Also ensure you buy a top quality MPPT controller. Expect to move the panels twice a day, more in winter and a lot more in forests.

Packing up/putting out that much solar is a pain when doing short trips and you'll be employing it at the wrong times of the day too; I often move only 150km or so a day and then camp for a night or two, this is not enough for the vehicle to charge a large battery bank and not enough sun for the solar. Generator time - so no National Parks et al.

Compressor fridges are certainly more effective coolers but they require a life support system, gas fridges are poor when ambient is over about 33C but they run silently for two weeks from a 9kg gas bottle.

I have a 184L gas fridge/freezer and a 60L compressor fridge/freezer which lives in the car and is not often used (good for shopping) but if ambient is above 35C for a run of days I move freezer stuff from gas fridge to compressor fridge.

I was going to change to a compressor fridge in the van but despite having 800W of solar am not sure I want the hassle of maintaining power to it 24/7/365.

NB: my 200W panels weigh 16kg each and are difficult to pack in the vehicle in order to ensure no damage and they take up a lot of space.

As I said at the beginning; this is not a simple yes/no question.

Yes, there is some very good remarks here about selection of refrigerators.

Mike Harding great comment and thoughts.

Tony LEE, way out different comment. 

Montie, yes our tropical rated refrigerator did battle to keep below 4 degrees in 36 cel days in October with the western sun hitting the frig side of the caravan when we were up above the Tropic of Capricorn at Clermont in late October, the freezer section did good. At this time we were taking the long way home to Brisbane to park up for a couple of summer months.

Derek Barnes, our previous 3 way refrigerator was a 2009 157 litre tropical rated and it was a little ripper, 20 days for a 9kg bottle of gas. Ice cream bend the spoon hard, before that our 2 other 3 ways frig experiences were not that great with there very small capacity but worked for our winter/autumn tours.

There is a lots to think about when designing a caravan, it is not always about about having nice ice cold beer in the food storage frig, we have our 12 volt compressor frig in the ute for day drives where we do at times have some ice cold refreshments stored.

Great topic.

If you are planning 400ah of batteries, and guessing thats probably Lithium, and by your own admission "plenty of solar" just get a compressor fridge.

Although plenty will say they are happy with their 3way fridge, generally, compressor fridges are more reliable in "all" conditions

Under most conditions you will have plenty of battery power for almost all occasions with that setup(400ah), infact overkill if you end up going 3 way in my opinion

Ian

I know which fridge I'd want my beer in!
Having said that the best beer fridge is the good old Engel!

Aus-Kiwi wrote:

---

>450 watt solar 240 Ah easy runs my comp 220L fridge / freezer

I assume your panels are in full sun all day?

 

> $60 to $80 for 9kb bottle !! Every 2 or 3 weeks !!

Where do you live? The middle of the Simpson?

A 9kg gas bottle swap at Bunnings is $29, refills are often available for $25 and Anaconda do (did?) them for $17, the most I have ever paid for gas was $45 which was a pure rip off by the general store in Mitta Mitta, Vic. who, six months previously, were selling it for $25.

 

Aus-Kiwi wrote:

---

450 watt solar 240 Ah easy runs my comp 220L fridge / freezer . Even leave it on when home Gas is expensive to fill or swap out west . $60 to $80 for 9kb bottle !! Every 2 or 3 weeks !! No thanks

---

Like wise, we have the same setup 240ah/450wt solar 210lt fridge/freezer for 5yrs, mostly free camping when travelling and caravan parks only when you have no choice.

There is the odd time when you think it might be a bit lean on battery but then a good sunny day brings you back up.

Fine, 95% of the time, when these batteries die(lead crystal) I will replace with Lithium, probably 300ah

Ian

-- Edited by Wanda on Sunday 13th of February 2022 09:14:35 AM

Gas 9kg

 

Bamaga $65

Bourke $36

Cobar $38

Halls Creek $43

Hopetoun $40

Kunnunara $34

Leinster $60

Mt Isa $32

Norman $45

Tennant Creek $40

Walgett $36

White Cliffs $50

Wilpena Pound $30

Winton $45