As part of the purchase of our van, we requested a compressor type fridge, and it was supplied accordingly. So the van as standard has a 3way fitted and that the compressor fridge fitted into that enclosure. Now I am not familiar with the workings of a 3 way, but am assuming that the workings are accessible from the lower vent area.
But the compressor fridge has the compressor module mounted up high, with the standard vent cut outs, there is no way of reaching this with out taking the fridge out. So those contemplating getting this type of fridge, you may want to talk to the supplier and get either the vent placed higher, or a separate opening access fitted so that services and or repairs can be carried out without the hassle of removing it each time.
Baz421 said
08:14 AM Oct 10, 2019
What make/model fridge? I can access mine from rear and pull out in 5 mins. Often only screw around front trim hold frige in, ckeck yours.
iana said
08:26 AM Oct 10, 2019
Waeco 217 lt. Yes, but can you reach the compressor condenser fan, or check that the condenser is clear of debris. The only way I can even see what's there is by looking down through the roof vent.
T1 Terry said
01:59 PM Oct 10, 2019
Make sure you have air movement above the fridge so the hot air does not become trapped in a pocket. Also check if the condenser circuit is a small heat exchanger with its own fan up top near the compressor or if it is actually in the walls of the refrigerator itself. Most of the models that have the condenser in the walls have the compressor at the bottom rather than the top and it is important in these wall mounted condenser models to ignore the advice about adding insulation to the walls as this would be counter productive. If the vent is not above the fridge no matter which type it is, the fridge will not operate correctly and give you nothing but grief. A compressor fridge doesn't actually need the rear vents in in many cases these end up being sealed off to keep the dust out. Air movement from under the fridge and up the sides and vented out the top back into the cabin will work fine, it doesn't even need the roof mounted vent used for improving 3 way fridge operation. Having said that, the roof vent makes a great spot for running cables out to the roof as there is a cavity behind the fridge to thread the cables through rather than needing to make a new hole into a cupboard or similar, then the wires can run through cupboards and behind seats.
T1 Terry
Whenarewethere said
02:31 PM Oct 10, 2019
I had a bank on computers for a 3d render farm, some were dual Xeon CPUs. I replaced the fans in all of them, also repositioned a lot of the fans.
The computers went from overheating, sometimes shutting down, screaming fans to a quiet environment. According to my UPS power usage went down a bit as well.
What I learnt from this is that clear air flow is the number one thing to get correct. Then a good quality fan in the correct position so it works as efficiently as possible. Maybe add a baffle to direct airflow.
You all have some sort of compressor to pump up tyres, it will be good enough for the odd occasion with an air gun, get a small tank of about 4 litres to give a short sharp blow of air, about 5 seconds at a time out of a 4 litre tank, to dislodge dust out of the condenser coil.
I blow the dust out of my fridge after every trip. I am always amazed at the amount of dust that builds up over a few months.
Baz421 said
06:37 PM Oct 10, 2019
iana wrote:
Waeco 217 lt. Yes, but can you reach the compressor condenser fan, or check that the condenser is clear of debris. The only way I can even see what's there is by looking down through the roof vent.
Yes sure can all comes out in one complete module, only need to disconnect wires,,, I think that you need to look at it this way,,, manufacturer made a space for fridge and inserted fridge into space,,, reverse this to get it out maybe
EDIT - page 16 of the manual shows position of screws, take 6 out and slide fridge out,,, BUT BEFROE --- check how long wires are from back vent first and disconnect if you need to. You can do it, I think you have the skills.
-- Edited by Baz421 on Thursday 10th of October 2019 06:56:43 PM
Hetho said
08:41 PM Oct 10, 2019
When I built my van I procrastinated about compressor fridges/3 way.
I selected and installed a Nova Cool RFU 9000; 258 ltr. Upright Fridge Freezer.
We have been in 45 degrees heat and single digit temps, and it has been serving us well for the last 4 years.
They are a bit more expensive, but IMO worth a look. A google search will save me lots of info.
As part of the purchase of our van, we requested a compressor type fridge, and it was supplied accordingly. So the van as standard has a 3way fitted and that the compressor fridge fitted into that enclosure. Now I am not familiar with the workings of a 3 way, but am assuming that the workings are accessible from the lower vent area.
But the compressor fridge has the compressor module mounted up high, with the standard vent cut outs, there is no way of reaching this with out taking the fridge out. So those contemplating getting this type of fridge, you may want to talk to the supplier and get either the vent placed higher, or a separate opening access fitted so that services and or repairs can be carried out without the hassle of removing it each time.
T1 Terry
I had a bank on computers for a 3d render farm, some were dual Xeon CPUs. I replaced the fans in all of them, also repositioned a lot of the fans.
The computers went from overheating, sometimes shutting down, screaming fans to a quiet environment. According to my UPS power usage went down a bit as well.
What I learnt from this is that clear air flow is the number one thing to get correct. Then a good quality fan in the correct position so it works as efficiently as possible. Maybe add a baffle to direct airflow.
You all have some sort of compressor to pump up tyres, it will be good enough for the odd occasion with an air gun, get a small tank of about 4 litres to give a short sharp blow of air, about 5 seconds at a time out of a 4 litre tank, to dislodge dust out of the condenser coil.
I blow the dust out of my fridge after every trip. I am always amazed at the amount of dust that builds up over a few months.
Yes sure can all comes out in one complete module, only need to disconnect wires,,, I think that you need to look at it this way,,, manufacturer made a space for fridge and inserted fridge into space,,, reverse this to get it out maybe
EDIT - page 16 of the manual shows position of screws, take 6 out and slide fridge out,,, BUT BEFROE --- check how long wires are from back vent first and disconnect if you need to. You can do it, I think you have the skills.
-- Edited by Baz421 on Thursday 10th of October 2019 06:56:43 PM
When I built my van I procrastinated about compressor fridges/3 way.
I selected and installed a Nova Cool RFU 9000; 258 ltr. Upright Fridge Freezer.
We have been in 45 degrees heat and single digit temps, and it has been serving us well for the last 4 years.
They are a bit more expensive, but IMO worth a look. A google search will save me lots of info.
Regards.
Hetho