compressor fridges

[Sir Brixalot]

As this will probably be the last year in my hitop as the kids are getting too big I am loathe to lash out on a compressor fridge unless they're a lot better than standard. I threw fair bit of food away touring last year as my fridge couldn't stay cool. What do you think.

[thebobster]

The items made by these people seem to be quite efficient. A chap I know has one on his narrow boat and swears by it. There are sizes to fit campervans and when my full resto is at the new interior stage I will be buying one, probably a fridge freezer. Don't be put off by the accent on marine applications, they are good in vans too.

[Sir Brixalot]

The small one uses about an amp an hour does that mean in theory I could leave it on for 70 hours on a 70 amp battery if nothing else is attached? Seems like a long time so I've probably misunderstood

[ELVIS]

Vitrofrigo are worth a look chap. IIRC same brand/make of compressor etc as Waeco but not paying the premium price.

[Sir Brixalot]

Thanks for the tip. Seem to come out at abut £500. Are they really much better than the standard electrolux 3 way?

[ELVIS]

Hell yeah chap!

A compressor fridge will do everything that your domestic fridge will do at home and cool down to a degree or two above freezing (obvs depending on setting on stat). Some even have an ice box in for your G&Ts.

Deffinitel deffintely deffinitely head and shoulders above the old three way jobbies/cool boxes etc.

As previous, will do everything your fridge at home will (just smaller )

[Mr Bean]

[quote="Sir Brixalot"]The small one uses about an amp an hour does that mean in theory I could leave it on for 70 hours on a 70 amp battery if nothing else is attached? Seems like a long time so I've probably misunderstood[/quote

I have never done a monitored test but I think full Ampere Hour rating of batteries can only be achieved in closely controlled conditions and is difficult to achieve in practice. Although I would imagine a compressor fridge would not be so sensitive to level as a typical three way fridge. But then I don't know how people can sleep in a van or tent which is not level.
CS

[Mocki]

you would more than likely find your current fridge would work better if you had it serviced....
in my experience they are pretty much fitted and ignored untill they dont work....

most people that complain that their three way fridge wont chill on 12v have inadequate wiring , or wired incrorrectly to the leisure battery
many three way fridges have never had the gas portion serviced and cleaned

[lodgey62]

With you on that Mocki,took mine out cleaned the jet,vacumed all the crap off the back then found a definite crease in the gas feed pipe straightened that and it now works a treat, we were away last week and on gas setting 3 it was causing water to ice up in the fridge door.

[bigherb]

As Mocki says check you fridge is working correctly first take it out and clean the condenser coils all that fluff that builds up on them and in the vents seriously insulates the cooling effect. Absorption fridges work quite well unless the ambient temperature is high then they cant cope and a compressor fridge is essential, I have even managed to freeze cucumbers on 12V on a drive from Kent to Cornwall in my old RM122.

[petethefeet]

"I have even managed to freeze cucumbers on 12V on a drive from Kent to Cornwall in my old RM122"

I just hate it when that happens

[MGP]

I went a slightly different route mainly because I'm tight, I purchased a rather large Waeco on eBay for very little money, after carefully cutting it up i managed to fit the workings into my rm122, it works a treat however turning it up more than its lowest setting turns the fridge into an ice box.

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[Sir Brixalot]

Who would service it, a gas fitter There is a definite crease in the feed copper pipe at the top but I think it would be pricey to get a gas fitter out. The back is totally covered in brown rust, would a wire brush damage it the element?

[Mocki]

you would need to go to a caravan service centre really....
the exterior rust isnt a problem really, but a kinked gas pipe is

[Sir Brixalot]

Hell yeah chap!

A compressor fridge will do everything that your domestic fridge will do at home and cool down to a degree or two above freezing (obvs depending on setting on stat). Some even have an ice box in for your G&Ts.

Deffinitel deffintely deffinitely head and shoulders above the old three way jobbies/cool boxes etc.

As previous, will do everything your fridge at home will (just smaller )

Thanks Elvis. Missed this the other day, you've made it a fairly easy decision. I nearly bought a second hand compressor fridge in the winter. Wishing I had done. Haven't got £500 so short term I'll sort the kink in the copper pipe and look for a second hand compressor fridge.