Question about running 240v fridge free camp

Murraman · Senior Member

Question about running 240v fridge free camp

goinsoon · Guru

I think the only solution would be a genie and I don't think that would make you very popular in free camps

Murraman · Senior Member

goinsoon wrote:
I think the only solution would be a genie and I don't think that would make you very popular in free camps

Yeah I don't think that carting petrol all the time for Genny would turn me on neither. Pity there not 240/gas.

Might have to keep looking or get a big discount.

jonathan · Guru

I agree with what is said all before me .. However, if the van is in a considerably good condition, it just might be beneficial to look into costs of getting the 'old' fridge replaced with an appropriate unit ..

Jon

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome Murraman to the forum your will learn heaps here and have a bit of fun as well, Take care when driving through this forum though there is a regular Wombat around, he turns up any time.

milo · Guru

jonathan wrote:
I agree with what is said all before me .. However, if the van is in a considerably good condition, it just might be beneficial to look into costs of getting the 'old' fridge replaced with an appropriate unit ..
Jon

that could work, my dads motorhomes fridge can run on gas ,240 or 12 volt (when driving) so maybe a 3 way fridge might help out ..

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

Murraman wrote:
We are looking at buying a van 23 ft it has a fridge and freezer both only 240v. Size around 100L ea

Could you tell us the make of van.

Seems unusual for a Australian built touring van to be a 240v fridge only van.

Are the lights etc, 12v or 240v.

And as said, you will need a gennie to camp away from Caravan Parks, plus you will need to camp well away from others trying to enjoy the sounds of the bush.

Boroma577 · Guru

I agree with the others....running a gennie 24/7 in a free camp to run your fridge and freezer will make you very unpopular.

Question....why do you want to free camp??

I presume to enjoy your surroundings, the peace and quiet, the bush etc.....

You could not do that with a gennie running all the time.

I am an advocate for the dedicated 12 volt fridge/freezer run off batteries and supported by solar with the gennie as back up only.

This does not suit everyone but it is one more option for you to consider.

davo99 · Newbie

I reckon an invertor would work but i don't know how long it would last before it drained the battery i guess a day or two , solar panels to recharge the battery would be an option i guess

Murraman · Senior Member

The van is an advance and I think they were installed later not original. Lights are 12/240. I have read that you can use invertor chargers to run these. We are just looking and haven't made up our mind yet.

The last thing we want to do is have a genny running all the time as it would drive everyone mad. Still getting ideas.

Ron and Shirley wrote:

Murraman wrote:
We are looking at buying a van 23 ft it has a fridge and freezer both only 240v. Size around 100L ea
Could you tell us the make of van.
Seems unusual for a Australian built touring van to be a 240v fridge only van.
Are the lights etc, 12v or 240v.
And as said, you will need a gennie to camp away from Caravan Parks, plus you will need to camp well away from others trying to enjoy the sounds of the bush.

Boroma577 · Guru

Murraman wrote:
Lights are 12/240. I have read that you can use invertor chargers to run these.

Not sure why you would need an Inverter to run your lights if they are 12/240.....you'd just run them on 12volt when not on power.

To run a fridge and freezer via an inverter you will need a huge bank of batteries and the current draw will be enormous. Not to forget you also have to power the Inverter as well. Then you have to charge the batteries.

If the van is a really good buy then bite the bullet knowing full well the fridge and freezer will need replacing.

Esmeralda · Guru

I think you should price a three way fridge/freezer - gas/240/12V before you make your decision. A gennie running 24/7 will not make you a popular camper.

Oh, by the way - welcome to the forum.

Cheers, Helen

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Hi and welcome to the forum Murraman. Like the others I reckon you're better off replacing the fridge in the long run. I'm told it is usually more effieicnt to run a fridge off gas when free camping even if you do have a solar panel and battery - I seem to recall a 9kg bottle will last a month roughly and people say that gas keeps the fridge much colder than 12v.

Another option if you do not want to replace your current fridge and intend to stay at powered sites, caravan parks from time to time is to buy a 3 way waeco type fridge/freezer which you can run off gas while free camping. You can pick up some good bargains on ebay.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Welcome Murraman and Dave99.
It is unusual to have a 240v only fridge fitted. Have you checked it out?
I have seen a conversion taking the 240v motor out and replacing it with a 12v. It was in Broome, but I guess there are other fridge whizzes out there who could make it happen.
Maybe a 2-way or 3-way conversion is possible. Otherwise I'd say the fridge has to go if you want to free camp.
Unless you can find a whisper quiet gennie and only run it during the day. Definitely NOT at night.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome from me too Dave99, enjoy.

wendyv · Guru

If you are going to replace the fridge unit, so that you can do regular off-240v camping, I strongly suggest you go for a dedicated 12v compressor fridge unit, and set up with solar panel/s and battery storage. There are good compressor units that will work well in hot conditions, if you are considering travel into the tropics.