Club 80-90 Forums

Just got my fridge/coolbox. It's got better dimensions than i thought, can fit 2 litre bottles in. But it gets cold SO quick.
9 minutes to get to 5 degrees Save up and get one people. If you've got a proper galley you can get ones to replace your electrolux.
Mine even came in multivan grey


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We are looking at a Dometic RC1600EGP. Is this a compressor fridge and are they any good?

I want something we can use for a fortnight away.

lloydy wrote:Just got my fridge/coolbox. It's got better dimensions than i thought, can fit 2 litre bottles in. But it gets cold SO quick.
9 minutes to get to 5 degrees Save up and get one people. If you've got a proper galley you can get ones to replace your electrolux.
Mine even came in multivan grey

Model number/source/price?

Debating which way to go at the moment (with the whole conversion/electrics setup, but the fridge is one of the first things to define). Have had a three-way Electrolux in the past so I'm well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of those.

A few on here have sung the praises of the compressor fridges, but even with the lower electrical power consumption, you're still into pretty serious batteries to allow for a few days stationary without hookup.

What is your battery setup?

poshbuggers wrote:We are looking at a Dometic RC1600EGP. Is this a compressor fridge and are they any good?

I want something we can use for a fortnight away.

no its not, its an absorbtion fridge, any fridge that runs on gas isnt a compression fridge. Different technology.
you want something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270804162715? ... 1438.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Good price at the moment. just do a google search for compressor fridge, waeco and engel are the good makes, but engel are a LOT of money
lloyd

dash wrote:

lloydy wrote:Just got my fridge/coolbox. It's got better dimensions than i thought, can fit 2 litre bottles in. But it gets cold SO quick.
9 minutes to get to 5 degrees Save up and get one people. If you've got a proper galley you can get ones to replace your electrolux.
Mine even came in multivan grey

Model number/source/price?

Debating which way to go at the moment (with the whole conversion/electrics setup, but the fridge is one of the first things to define). Have had a three-way Electrolux in the past so I'm well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of those.

A few on here have sung the praises of the compressor fridges, but even with the lower electrical power consumption, you're still into pretty serious batteries to allow for a few days stationary without hookup.

What is your battery setup?

Hi i have 160AH batteries (2x 80AH in parallel) and have a sterling charger for rapid charging when on the move. It's really worth it, the 3 way fridges are a pain, needing to be level ect and also being dependant on outside temp, compressors aren't.
You can get them to fit in the gap of your old 3 way, or get a coolbox type like mine. They have a temp range of +10 to -18 mine is a waeco CDF18 (18litre) I got it for £200 new on ebay. Cheapest price i found on the internet was £289 This is the same fridge as mine http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Waeco-CDF-18- ... _866wt_932" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

70Ah for 24 hours then taking the 30W on the ebay link , so you've basically got to move every day if you don't have hookup.


Fitting a gap isn't an issue. The old Electrolux was only ever sat on the floor of the old Caravelle, and the new one will be for the rear cab conversion on a Doka - I'll make the space suit the fridge

dash wrote:70Ah for 24 hours then taking the 30W on the ebay link , so you've basically got to move every day if you don't have hookup.


Fitting a gap isn't an issue. The old Electrolux was only ever sat on the floor of the old Caravelle, and the new one will be for the rear cab conversion on a Doka - I'll make the space suit the fridge

Doesnt quite work like that, once down to temperature they only run for about 10% of the time, so nowhere near your 70AH. Read the spec on the waeco website

Didn't think it sounded right .

I'd assumed when they said 'average' in the advert they meant average over a long time period (thus taking the 10% into account), not the average over the short time period when it's actually running.

The Ah/h values on the Waeco site are far more useful. So worst case about 15-20Ah a day (at high ambient).


E D I T: Prices are still a bit eye-watering mind, as are the sterling chargers. Not to say it's not worth the investment, but plenty of food for thought.

Cost money, but worth it. bargains are out there, i picked up my sterling for about £120 off ebay, and one just sold on there for about £150. Just have to be patient. Start saving.....

Interesting stuff.

Planning a conversion completely from scratch is simultaneously a blessing and a curse I think .

I can only see two possible hiccups with a compressor fridge as an alternative to a 3 way absorption one (besides the fact you're limited to 12v)

1. Moving parts wear out - it has a motor. There are next to no 'moving' parts in an absorption fridge although the elements can go and they are still susceptible to gas ignition problems after many years in service. How a compressor fridge will perform after 20 years or so, or how easy they can be fixed is still an unknown.

2. How these motors will handle not being run for any appreciable length of time such as an over wintering van or someone not camping for a while. I know domestic fridges don't like being stood idle (a bit like motor vehicles).

I must admit I have no plans to replace my existing absorption fridge, but there again if it was completely buggered I would certainly have a look at these compressor versions as a possible alternative. I don't see quite why they're so expensive though...................

i agree with what your saying about the pricing, i think they just make it up.Myself, i winter camp so have no worries about it standing idle.
Although doing some research before i bought, nothing flagged up reliability wise. Time will tell i suppose
lloyd

Compared to a new absorption fridge they arent actually that expensive...

However, my absorption fridge works like a dream on LPG so i'll be keeping it for a while When it does go i will be fitting one of these i reckon...

Think i need a bigger one though!

Ringo

ringo wrote:Compared to a new absorption fridge they arent actually that expensive

No, but you can see why an absorption fridge is so expensive; 3 different power sources, chemical 'goo', expansion tanks, condenser tanks, cooling fins, exhaust flue, burners, thermocouples etc. Compressor fridges are just a motor, thermostat and a heat exchanger. Unless I'm missing something..............

good motors are expensive, they probably don't use cheap chinese stuff inside them or they wouldn't make the 12 month warranty
absorbtion fridges have come down in price relatively because the manufacturers moved the plants from Scandanavia to Hungary and other cheaper labour countries and they sell a lot more of them hence economy of scale