Fridge - what do you use?

[rustytop]

Hi, we have a 1984 completely un-modified 1.9 DG Devon conversion (pop top) ( even with its orignal 1984 cassette player).

The last owner removed the fridge so we now have a very narrow 15" wide space where it used to sit and obviously nothing to keep the beers cool with.

I'd just be interested in what fridge set up you have or what you'd recommend from the following?

1. Purchase a 3 way Dometic RM 123 @ £340 and cut two large holes in the side of the van to house the two vents this new fridge would require. Getting done professionally probably £500 all in. Ouch.

2. Purchase a 2 way (12v and 230v) nameless fridge in the JK catalogue @ £200 and accept we cannot run off gas - This is a non-compressor fridge.

3. Try and find something 3 way that works and fits to the existing outlet from that well known auction website? Take a punt that it works as it should or could be repaired/ refurbished if broken?

4. Buy a 2 way box type fridge and squeeze it into the buddy seat?

5. Drink warm beer.

Does anyone have any experiences with 1, 2, 3, or 4?
A compressor fridge doesn't make much noise. Does a thermo fridge (option 2 and 4) make too much noise to keep on all night?

Thanks in advance

[rainman]

I've got a 3-way fridge which is not fitted in to the van so I leave it at home when only camping out for one or two nights. A small coolbox filled with chilled/frozen stuff does the job but then I don't drink lager, and room temperature is fine for bottles of ale or red wine.

[72BUG]

I just use a 12v cool box and a couple of Ice packs. This is fine for a long weekend.

[horns]

Only the flue for the gas burner needs venting outside the van - you can have the hot air intake and outlet vents open to the interior, which is how it works on a westfalia. Air goes in through a vent at the front underneath the fridge, out through top ones at the side and behind the cooker. No need to cut gaping holes in your van.

The 3 way fridges aren't compressor fridges either - they don't make any noise at all, unless its dead hot when the fan on the back kicks in and makes a bit - can be replaced with a quiet PC case fan though.

Knackered 3-ways are pretty easy to repair - clean all the gas gubbins, maybe a new thermocouple and new elements, not much else to go wrong. I'd try the second-hand route...

[kevtherev]

horns is spot on there.
you need to look out for a RM 122 it will fit nicely in the gap.
these were fitted to Devons and early westies I believe.