Hi. I had Kombi campers, both fitted with those little Electrolux 2-way refrigerators (work on 12v or LP gas). I used gas when camping and they worked fine except in hot weather (say over 30 deg C) then they would struggle. Though they were silent when operating which was good since I am a light sleeper (when I stay in motels I usually unplug the bar fridge as I find them too noisy).
Thinking about my next setup I will probably go solar with a 12V-240V fridge. Any experiences relating to refrigerator setups and sound levels are appreciated.
Regards
Peter
macka17 said
02:03 PM Dec 11, 2016
I've had 3 way in van. Not too bad but very poor at refrigeration.
Waeco 12\24 in van. Near silent.
and exceptionally good at refrigeration.
Same as my CF 50, then 80 in rear of truck.
Very efficient. and hardly a sound.
Had a Waeco compressor split unit in last 2 yachts. one under chart seat. second under my bed.
NEVER knew it was there.
The Waeco and Engel with a coupla others.
Are the CHEAP end of refrigeration. But good bang for bucks.
Waeco seems the better.
GOOD ones start around $2.500 and go WAAY upwards
But sound wise.
I can sleep in the cab of my dragline while it working.
Between the engine and turntable cogs.
IE ANywhere.
aussie_paul said
02:51 PM Dec 11, 2016
macka17 wrote:
I've had 3 way in van. Not too bad but very poor at refrigeration.
Waeco 12\24 in van. Near silent. and exceptionally good at refrigeration. Same as my CF 50, then 80 in rear of truck.
Very efficient. and hardly a sound.
Had a Waeco compressor split unit in last 2 yachts. one under chart seat. second under my bed. NEVER knew it was there.
The Waeco and Engel with a coupla others. Are the CHEAP end of refrigeration. But good bang for bucks. Waeco seems the better.
GOOD ones start around $2.500 and go WAAY upwards
But sound wise. I can sleep in the cab of my dragline while it working. Between the engine and turntable cogs.
IE ANywhere.
Well, I'm sure that helped Peter Macka. Fortunately I only I know a couple of people like you who use 50 words when 5 would have done. lol
Aussie Paul.
-- Edited by aussie_paul on Sunday 11th of December 2016 02:52:22 PM
warhorse said
04:21 PM Dec 11, 2016
agent 13,i think most compressor fridge's are a little noisy,i am also a light sleeper but i have gotten used to the hum of the frig, but they perform well in hot weather.Have you considered a domestic frig running through an inverter for your next "setup"...regards ray
-- Edited by warhorse on Sunday 11th of December 2016 04:22:24 PM
jules47 said
07:42 PM Dec 11, 2016
We all have differing opinions on - what fridge should I get???? - posed often by posters on here.
Some have very definite ideas as to why theirs is the right one, but that is not a reason to denigrate another type/brand etc. We have a Dometic 3 way fridge, single door, it has never let us down on many, many trips through the top of Australia , and up and down the centre etc., - in fact it runs very efficiently on gas as well as 240v - and 12v is fine as well. I believe our fridge is "tropically rated" - not sure what that means, but I think the model number has the numbers and a "T".
Have also travelled in the far north with a 2 way fridge - 5 days of rain cost us a lot in fuel for the generator!
Not a technical person, neither is my partner, but I probably know more than him about our vehicle, but it gets me cranky when I see people putting down what someone else has - because they know better - like been there/done that!
Sorry to the OP for hijacking your post - and to anyone else who thinks my post is "inappropriate"! I am not picking on anybody - or saying they are wrong or right.
ps....
ours is absolutely silent, unless we run out of gas, it will start to tick.
-- Edited by jules47 on Sunday 11th of December 2016 07:44:16 PM
erad said
09:06 PM Dec 11, 2016
If you have a 3 way fridge, it may struggle to work properly in really hot weather. I (and quite a few others) have fitted a 12 V computer fan inside the top vent (the hot area) to help the heat escape from the fridge enclosure. This works well (I actually have 2 fans, but only use one), but they drone away. Ball bearing fans seem to be noisier than plain journal bearings, but I suspect that the ball bearing fans would last a lot longer. If you are thinking about going down this path, try a fan and see how you rate the nosie. Another alternative may be to use a larger fan and control the coltage so that it runs a bit slower, increasing the speed as required.
I had a 12 V power supply mounted under the lounge seat of our Jayco poptop. When you turned on a light, the fan would whirr. It drove me mad. After two 12V power supply unit failures, I bought a switched 12V power supply from Bainbridge technologies in Brisbane and fitted it inside the front boot. (a) the fan was quieter anyway, and (b) having it inside the front boot, I simply don't hear it at all.
landy said
10:04 PM Dec 11, 2016
Another way to improve the effeciency of your fridge is to fill any gaps the van manafacturer may have left arond the sides and top of the unit with pink bats or the like. We did this and along with a fan it made a huge diference. Landy
macka17 said
02:40 AM Dec 12, 2016
Awww. Paul
I do it cause I know you love reading my posts so much diddums....
Just giving alternatives.
It's only MY way of staving off boredom cause I miss you so much chuchy face XXX.
PS.
You don't HAVE to read them mate.
Krusty said
09:00 AM Dec 12, 2016
I've got a small camper with a esky type 12volt fridge. I just turn it off when I'm about to go to sleep and on again first thing in the morning.
iana said
05:35 PM Dec 12, 2016
When I hear of people complaining of noise that they don't want to hear, I wonder if they realise how lucky they are. I am profoundly deaf, so TV is out for me and I'm struggling with conversation, so with out my hearing aids, I hear nothing except roaring tinitus.
The inverter fridge I have is said to be 240/12v, but it is only 12v and a separate transformer/power supply comes with it.
Some of the sound at night could be reduced by making sure there are no hard surface contacts. i.e. cushioned with foam, or insulated by a soft material so that sound is not conducted from the appliance.
When they install the fridge, the last thing they will be worried about will be transmitted noise (sound), it really will come down to how much you want to quieten the appliance. Rubber mounts, sponge rubber between surfaces etc.
Santa said
11:17 AM Dec 13, 2016
aussie_paul wrote:
Well, I'm sure that helped Peter Macka. Fortunately I only I know a couple of people like you who use 50 words when 5 would have done. lol
Aussie Paul.
-- Edited by aussie_paul on Sunday 11th of December 2016 02:52:22 PM
For some reason the word verbose sprang to mind, why use only use a few words when there's enough room for hundreds.
-- Edited by Santa on Tuesday 13th of December 2016 11:19:14 AM
Radar said
01:20 PM Dec 13, 2016
jules47 wrote:
We all have differing opinions on - what fridge should I get???? - posed often by posters on here.
Some have very definite ideas as to why theirs is the right one, but that is not a reason to denigrate another type/brand etc. We have a Dometic 3 way fridge, single door, it has never let us down on many, many trips through the top of Australia , and up and down the centre etc., - in fact it runs very efficiently on gas as well as 240v - and 12v is fine as well. I believe our fridge is "tropically rated" - not sure what that means, but I think the model number has the numbers and a "T".
Have also travelled in the far north with a 2 way fridge - 5 days of rain cost us a lot in fuel for the generator!
Not a technical person, neither is my partner, but I probably know more than him about our vehicle, but it gets me cranky when I see people putting down what someone else has - because they know better - like been there/done that!
Sorry to the OP for hijacking your post - and to anyone else who thinks my post is "inappropriate"! I am not picking on anybody - or saying they are wrong or right.
ps....
ours is absolutely silent, unless we run out of gas, it will start to tick.
Hi Jules, I with you on this one.
We really enjoy our 3 ways, now have had them in 4 vehicles dating back to the late seventies a 39 litre portable, ok not the best but the last 2 have been excellen, a 155 now a 185 litre.
Cheers.
PeterD said
03:01 PM Dec 13, 2016
agent13 wrote:
Hi. I had Kombi campers, both fitted with those little Electrolux 2-way refrigerators (work on 12v or LP gas). I used gas when camping and they worked fine except in hot weather (say over 30 deg C) then they would struggle.
Peter
Those small fridges (less than 90 litres) did not work as well as the larger ones. In fact they did not even make the climate class N performance specifications. On top of that they were very often not very well installed (eg the bottom of the top vent lower than the top of the top fins.) It's a wonder that some of them worked at all.
If you are getting a fridge with a capacity of 120 litres or over these days you will be getting one that is climate class "T" rating. If it is properly installed then it will work to its full specification at temperatures of at least 42° C. Dometic fridges should be installed like this.
Aus-Kiwi said
05:06 PM Dec 13, 2016
Mine is very quiet . But to raise some noise , breaking some boredom I start the generater !! Around 2 AM is s good time .
aussie_paul said
05:13 PM Dec 13, 2016
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Mine is very quiet . But to raise some noise , breaking some boredom I start the generater !! Around 2 AM is s good time .
lol AK...
Aussie Paul.
agent13 said
10:41 PM Dec 13, 2016
Some good ideas to follow up. Thanks for the link to the installation advice (PeterD). The setup is important I agree Iana. The ones I had in the past were not done properly by the original builder. Macka you sound like my brother. When he stays I can hear him from the other end of the house (through a number of closed doors too) sawing that wood
Aus-Kiwi said
11:01 PM Dec 13, 2016
I have two fans pushing air up through vent . The new fan has a cowel around it . Pushing air better . The fan only tends to throw air everywhere . Have solar fan on top of vent cover on roof . Yes fitlled any voids between fridge and body . Mainly between top of fridge and body . I find the 3 way needs a day or Atleast overnight to get real cool . From then on your fine. We keep our milk in 60 litre 12/240 compressor fridge / freezer . Milk powder for extended stays .
vik351 said
07:53 AM Dec 14, 2016
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
Mine is very quiet . But to raise some noise , breaking some boredom I start the generater !! Around 2 AM is s good time .
Thats when the axe cones out...!!!
vik...
PaulJohn said
08:02 AM Apr 18, 2020
The humming/buzzing noise is probably related to the compressor running, and is audible because the refrigerator may not be leveled properly. The compressor should cycle on and off periodically once the refrigerator cools to its set temperature. Please refer to the User Manual for instructions on leveling the refrigerator.
Hi. I had Kombi campers, both fitted with those little Electrolux 2-way refrigerators (work on 12v or LP gas). I used gas when camping and they worked fine except in hot weather (say over 30 deg C) then they would struggle. Though they were silent when operating which was good since I am a light sleeper (when I stay in motels I usually unplug the bar fridge as I find them too noisy).
Thinking about my next setup I will probably go solar with a 12V-240V fridge. Any experiences relating to refrigerator setups and sound levels are appreciated.
Regards
Peter
Waeco 12\24 in van. Near silent.
and exceptionally good at refrigeration.
Same as my CF 50, then 80 in rear of truck.
Very efficient. and hardly a sound.
Had a Waeco compressor split unit in last 2 yachts. one under chart seat. second under my bed.
NEVER knew it was there.
The Waeco and Engel with a coupla others.
Are the CHEAP end of refrigeration. But good bang for bucks.
Waeco seems the better.
GOOD ones start around $2.500 and go WAAY upwards
But sound wise.
I can sleep in the cab of my dragline while it working.
Between the engine and turntable cogs.
IE ANywhere.
Well, I'm sure that helped Peter Macka.
Fortunately I only I know a couple of people like you who use 50 words when 5 would have done. lol 
Aussie Paul.
-- Edited by aussie_paul on Sunday 11th of December 2016 02:52:22 PM
agent 13,i think most compressor fridge's are a little noisy,i am also a light sleeper but i have gotten used to the hum of the frig, but they perform well in hot weather.Have you considered a domestic frig running through an inverter for your next "setup"...regards ray
-- Edited by warhorse on Sunday 11th of December 2016 04:22:24 PM
We all have differing opinions on - what fridge should I get???? - posed often by posters on here.
Some have very definite ideas as to why theirs is the right one, but that is not a reason to denigrate another type/brand etc.
We have a Dometic 3 way fridge, single door, it has never let us down on many, many trips through the top of Australia , and up and down the centre etc., - in fact it runs very efficiently on gas as well as 240v - and 12v is fine as well. I believe our fridge is "tropically rated" - not sure what that means, but I think the model number has the numbers and a "T".
Have also travelled in the far north with a 2 way fridge - 5 days of rain cost us a lot in fuel for the generator!
Not a technical person, neither is my partner, but I probably know more than him about our vehicle, but it gets me cranky when I see people putting down what someone else has - because they know better - like been there/done that!
Sorry to the OP for hijacking your post - and to anyone else who thinks my post is "inappropriate"! I am not picking on anybody - or saying they are wrong or right.
ps....
ours is absolutely silent, unless we run out of gas, it will start to tick.
-- Edited by jules47 on Sunday 11th of December 2016 07:44:16 PM
I had a 12 V power supply mounted under the lounge seat of our Jayco poptop. When you turned on a light, the fan would whirr. It drove me mad. After two 12V power supply unit failures, I bought a switched 12V power supply from Bainbridge technologies in Brisbane and fitted it inside the front boot. (a) the fan was quieter anyway, and (b) having it inside the front boot, I simply don't hear it at all.
Landy
I do it cause I know you love reading my posts so much diddums....
Just giving alternatives.
It's only MY way of staving off boredom cause I miss you so much chuchy face XXX.
PS.
You don't HAVE to read them mate.
The inverter fridge I have is said to be 240/12v, but it is only 12v and a separate transformer/power supply comes with it.
Some of the sound at night could be reduced by making sure there are no hard surface contacts. i.e. cushioned with foam, or insulated by a soft material so that sound is not conducted from the appliance.
When they install the fridge, the last thing they will be worried about will be transmitted noise (sound), it really will come down to how much you want to quieten the appliance. Rubber mounts, sponge rubber between surfaces etc.
For some reason the word verbose sprang to mind, why use only use a few words when there's enough room for hundreds.
-- Edited by Santa on Tuesday 13th of December 2016 11:19:14 AM
Hi Jules, I with you on this one.
We really enjoy our 3 ways, now have had them in 4 vehicles dating back to the late seventies a 39 litre portable, ok not the best but the last 2 have been excellen, a 155 now a 185 litre.
Cheers.
Those small fridges (less than 90 litres) did not work as well as the larger ones. In fact they did not even make the climate class N performance specifications. On top of that they were very often not very well installed (eg the bottom of the top vent lower than the top of the top fins.) It's a wonder that some of them worked at all.
If you are getting a fridge with a capacity of 120 litres or over these days you will be getting one that is climate class "T" rating. If it is properly installed then it will work to its full specification at temperatures of at least 42° C. Dometic fridges should be installed like this.
lol AK...
Aussie Paul.
Some good ideas to follow up. Thanks for the link to the installation advice (PeterD). The setup is important I agree Iana. The ones I had in the past were not done properly by the original builder. Macka you sound like my brother. When he stays I can hear him from the other end of the house (through a number of closed doors too) sawing that wood
Thats when the axe cones out...!!!
vik...
The humming/buzzing noise is probably related to the compressor running, and is audible because the refrigerator may not be leveled properly. The compressor should cycle on and off periodically once the refrigerator cools to its set temperature. Please refer to the User Manual for instructions on leveling the refrigerator.