New fridge make/model etc for late Westfalia

[California Dreamin]

Has anyone out there (Jed/Lloydy?) had the experience of replacing the fridge in there Westy.
Needs to fit in the space where the old Electrolux is...3 way...absorption/compressor models (I know compressor types are better but cost is a factor and I know from my own experiences (father in law had a new absorption Waeco in his T4 Autosleeper last year) that newer Waeco/Dometic absorption units are much improved compaired to their 25 year old counterparts...any thoughts.

Make? model? price? retailer, where to buy it from? links...
and
Experience of how it fitted, modifications etc..did you still use the front Westy door/panel?
I had a quick measure and the gap is something like W43cm/D43cm/H67cm and I can't honestly see anything out there matching this size?
Any help appreciated..especially your own experiences of what works/fits.

Martin

[California Dreamin]

Anyone? any ideas?
I'm sure someone must have replaced a fridge in a Westy.......

Martin

[lloydy]

problem is the dimensions, i don't think you'll get one stock size. To be honest prices aren't that far apart, £100 at most. this 3 way fits, but will stand proud, so door will have to be removed http://www.dometic.com/enuk/Europe/Unit ... taid=68299" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
I really would go compression though, takes up less space, most are 50l and you can build an extra drawer underneath

[jed the spread]

Sorry Martin I only talk about compressor fridges now

jed

[KINGPRAWN]

So please spill the beans mr jed...giz a pic of the installed unit with price and supplier and any wangling you had to do......

[jed the spread]

Just to keep you going for now



jed

[KINGPRAWN]

Wow a bigger fridge that's smaller and an extra draw to boot.....impressive, so how much and who from? Thanks for your time yet again!!!!

[California Dreamin]

Same as he said Jed....model number/supplier/cost

What problems did you have 'if any' fitting the shiney new new.

Martin

[lhd]

Lots, ugly and anywhere......
All the correct words but not necessarily in the right order.
fridge around £460, Stirling charger to run it £200, batteries to run it £100+, to wire it up another £100 in wiring + labour, probably as much as buying a home brew camper.

I don't eat frozen food anyway.....
Rob.

[KINGPRAWN]

So is the Stirling system a must, or will the fridge suck the life out of the battery in no time???

[ringo]

The stirling system isnt a must.

It depends on what you do with your van. If you are in the habit of parking up for a week without elecy and just go for small drives to the shops - then yes, a stirling charger is worth it.
If you are in the habit of going for longer drives then im sure the alternator as is will do the job.

If you constantly play dvd's on 12v then its worth it.

If you go away for weekends and can charge your van when at home, then no, its probably not necessary.

At the end of the day, i bet most new vans dont have stirling chargers even though they are fitted with compressor fridges (i completely made this up btw - i dont recall and new T5 owners showing off their stirling chargers to me!).

I'd be fitting a compressor fridge and see how i get on.....

However, if you want to guarantee max battery power at all times, then fit a stirling charger....

Ringo

[lloydy]

as above, you dont need one. They just look after your batteries a bit more. As a kinda inbetween option you can get this http://www.sterling-power.com/products-altreg.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; one for sale here http://www.tcschandlery.co.uk/8518/Ster ... gn=pid8518" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
these do a similar job, but you need to modify the alternator slightly.
Try it on a split charge relay first, see how you get on. My sterling was a bargain! only around £100. Just search for sterling power on ebay, just dont bid on a 240v charger!
But as has been mentioned, cable bumps the price up. I might have not needed the sterling, but it's nice now, not having to worry to much about power consumption

[KINGPRAWN]

Guess that puts a lid on it for me!.....thanks guys