Given the general increase of global temperatures and the imminent desertification of Australia I am considering changing my 3way fridge , which runs really hot when the temp is high, for a compressor fridge. Also I am not really comfortable with the constant use of gas in an enclosed , though vented, space.
I have been looking at 12v / 24v 40l drawer fridges.
Does anyone know about these? Are they efficient ? Robust etc.
There is also the option of 2 30l drawer fridges which would allow me to vary temperatures.
Any thoughts ?
Smith
Warren-Pat_01 said
01:07 PM Jan 31, 2020
G'day Smith,
I'm stunned as to the reason you don't want to use your 3way fridge anymore! Are you also going to use an electric vehicle as your tug's exhaust in petrol/diesel cars get very hot too & there are far more of them than caravans?
If you have a look at another posting recently called "Bushman Fridge", you'll see what mods I did to my previous Jayco camper - that was to run the fridge more efficiently in our tropical areas.
You'll have to increase your solar capacity for compressor type fridges & that may have you parking the van in the sun if you mount panels on top. I'd suggest you "shade, blow (fans)" your current fridge as I did & live comfortably in the shade.
blaze said
01:42 PM Jan 31, 2020
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
G'day Smith, I'm stunned as to the reason you don't want to use your 3way fridge anymore! Are you also going to use an electric vehicle as your tug's exhaust in petrol/diesel cars get very hot too & there are far more of them than caravans?
If you have a look at another posting recently called "Bushman Fridge", you'll see what mods I did to my previous Jayco camper - that was to run the fridge more efficiently in our tropical areas.
You'll have to increase your solar capacity for compressor type fridges & that may have you parking the van in the sun if you mount panels on top. I'd suggest you "shade, blow (fans)" your current fridge as I did & live comfortably in the shade.
with a portable solar panel in avatar, nearly like pot calling kettle black
To the op
I have a small drawer freezer, its a good thing for packing and finding stuff in
cheers
blaze
Smith said
02:28 PM Jan 31, 2020
Thank you Warren and blaze. The heating problem is that the interior of the van and the sink top get hot which is unpleasant, Warren the answer to your question is that I will be towing with an electric vehicle as soon as I can.
Smith
Whenarewethere said
04:51 PM Jan 31, 2020
Whichever fridge you go with rip out the fan & replace it which an efficient Noctua fan & upgrade wiring to reduce voltage drop.
Whenarewethere said
05:03 PM Jan 31, 2020
Just looking at the Dometic draw fridge, looks like you can move the compressor to a cooler location to get it to run a bit more effectively.
Make sure that climate class N is ok for your situation.
Have been running a new war I cf30 for the last 9 months and it runs faultless. Same compressor as our cf18 chest fridge we sold with our last van.
After much research the Engel of same size is a bit noisier and as it was to go under my bed I knew the Waeco was and is quiet.
The 40 litre drawer fridges weigh around 34 kg way more than 18-20. If weight isnt a problem ?
The waeco misses out on a temperature gauge and internal light. I have a map light nearby and purchased a wireless gauge with alarm eBay $15.
Tony
Warren-Pat_01 said
09:19 PM Jan 31, 2020
Smith,
I'm sorry I was a little course this morning.
You current fridge - is it a Dometic RM2350 (90L)? On my Eagle, there was a vent that was on the bench top (along with two on the outside - bottom & top).
Is the aluminium top piece of the flue pipe in place? It vents through the top outside vent.
After I installed the push-pull fans at the back of my fridge, there was even less warm air coming into the van.
Whenarewethere - your battery figures for the fridge - unless the battery is a lithium, I cannot see n AGM/DC lead acid battery lasting too long being "belted" like that.
Whenarewethere said
09:48 PM Jan 31, 2020
Typically using about 15ah per 24 hours. Over the cooler months was down to 9.6ah per 24 hours. I have added a little more insulation in the higher loss areas. Also added insulation under the boot floor. Going 3 days without charging only uses half the battery capacity.
Given the general increase of global temperatures and the imminent desertification of Australia I am considering changing my 3way fridge , which runs really hot when the temp is high, for a compressor fridge. Also I am not really comfortable with the constant use of gas in an enclosed , though vented, space.
I have been looking at 12v / 24v 40l drawer fridges.
Does anyone know about these? Are they efficient ? Robust etc.
There is also the option of 2 30l drawer fridges which would allow me to vary temperatures.
Any thoughts ?
Smith
I'm stunned as to the reason you don't want to use your 3way fridge anymore! Are you also going to use an electric vehicle as your tug's exhaust in petrol/diesel cars get very hot too & there are far more of them than caravans?
If you have a look at another posting recently called "Bushman Fridge", you'll see what mods I did to my previous Jayco camper - that was to run the fridge more efficiently in our tropical areas.
You'll have to increase your solar capacity for compressor type fridges & that may have you parking the van in the sun if you mount panels on top. I'd suggest you "shade, blow (fans)" your current fridge as I did & live comfortably in the shade.
with a portable solar panel in avatar, nearly like pot calling kettle black
To the op
I have a small drawer freezer, its a good thing for packing and finding stuff in
cheers
blaze
Smith
Whichever fridge you go with rip out the fan & replace it which an efficient Noctua fan & upgrade wiring to reduce voltage drop.
Just looking at the Dometic draw fridge, looks like you can move the compressor to a cooler location to get it to run a bit more effectively.
Make sure that climate class N is ok for your situation.
A few ideas here to improve fridge efficiency:
https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65059593/extra-fridge-insulation-wattage-test/
I'm sorry I was a little course this morning.
You current fridge - is it a Dometic RM2350 (90L)? On my Eagle, there was a vent that was on the bench top (along with two on the outside - bottom & top).
Is the aluminium top piece of the flue pipe in place? It vents through the top outside vent.
After I installed the push-pull fans at the back of my fridge, there was even less warm air coming into the van.
Whenarewethere - your battery figures for the fridge - unless the battery is a lithium, I cannot see n AGM/DC lead acid battery lasting too long being "belted" like that.
Typically using about 15ah per 24 hours. Over the cooler months was down to 9.6ah per 24 hours. I have added a little more insulation in the higher loss areas. Also added insulation under the boot floor. Going 3 days without charging only uses half the battery capacity.