3-way to compressor

[randamonia]

Hi
My fridge has been used for a year so is in need of pulling and turning upside down a few times. I am wondering about switching to a compressor fridge though as I’m fitting solar soon. Anyone done it and regretted it or would recommend the move. Might I miss the option to use on gas? Also, how noisy are they? The current one is obviously silent.
Thanks folks

[Jim San]

Mine was never a fitted fridge - always been portables, but I don't regret ours - yes can be a bit noisey at night sometimes but the cycles are very short. I don't have solar, just 2 x 100aHr batteries - whch runs it for days (i'll sucumb to solar one of these days)
We got rid of gas altogether as i didn't want to keep lugigng around the heavy gas bottle - so a compressor fridge made sense - it also doesn't need venting. i used the opportunity to also consider how big a fridge I actually needed - the 30L 3-way was nice and big but I didn't need all that fridge space and associated weight. Now have a 18Ltr one and it is more than enough. Depends on your eating and shopping habits. In the 30L it was a lot of beer, but a compressor fridge (top opening) is easily capable of chilling a beer whilst you drink the one in hand (I usually have 2 in thefridge now and not 6. i also think a fitted fridge is a large amount of dedicated space in a small van, i prefer to more flexiable

[cobblers]

I don't mind the noise of the compressor fridge, what I usually do is turn it up to max (min temp?) at about lunchtime so it's super cool by bedtime, then turn it down to low (max temp) at night, that way it won't usually kick back in until 4AM, by which point my snoring drowns it out.

A 120w solar panel will run a waeco crx50 indefinitely - My big camper van has had the fridge turned on since the end of lockdown? 18+ months. It's great to always have cold beer, tonic and (usually off) milk etc. 

[Rascal]

Compressor all the way.. Single 110ah batt charged via alt and 110w solar quiet and keeps beer cold and ice on gin in freezer.. Only run during day and switch off at night (dont know state of my battery) but when i swao for lithium.. Wont switch
off

[randamonia]

Thanks folks. Solar and CRX50 on order. Bring on the cold beer!

[Jim San]

Thanks folks. Solar and CRX50 on order. Bring on the cold beer!

Do you need the massive capacity of a 50? its a lot of dead space when its not being used as a fridge - and it weights a lot more than an empty cupboard.

[slowcoach]

Thanks folks. Solar and CRX50 on order. Bring on the cold beer!

Yes it'll be awesome

I'm running the original compressor fridge it was fitted with, still going strong!

[randamonia]

Thanks folks. Solar and CRX50 on order. Bring on the cold beer!

Do you need the massive capacity of a 50? its a lot of dead space when its not being used as a fridge - and it weights a lot more than an empty cupboard.

We eat a lot of fresh food which tends to take up more space and it will mean when we are away we are not going shopping every other day or so. Would rather have it than not. I’ll be clawing back a little space from the one that I’m removing so hoping to be a bit clever with that.

[silverbullet]

Anyone bought from callidus.shop?

They seem to do a good range of all-in 175W solar kits which could be of use to me, I only want to keep the CRX fridge battery charged.

Apologies for the hijack

[Forden341]

I’ve bought from Callidus, good service and very knowledgeable when designing complex custom set ups.
I have a trailer with a 330w panel charging a 24v 4wd mobility scooter for my 15yr old son and another 330w panel on the roof of my Gipsy to charge a 12v 160ah twin battery set up. Also have a changover switch inside the van to send the full 660w to the trailer to give it maximum power in the mornings to get us out on the scooter for the day. 5 weeks in Scotland last year and no need for a hookup at all!!
Go Callidus!!!

[silverbullet]

Thanks for the recommendation, they will get my money (when I have some to spend again...)

FWIW, at T3BusMeet I ran a CRX345 directly off a fully charged 80Ah Bosch S4 battery all weekend with no voltage problems.

The sun blazed down all weekend and its an exposed field, the only shade was in the middle of the day from my trade awning alongside the van. A bit of thermal management (through draught and keep the fridge out of direct sunlight) and all was good.

For a weekend away, a charged battery and a flex with crocodile clips will see you right with a quality compressor fridge.

PS I find the 45 litre is just big enough for a dry failed vegan such as myself. No beer, meat or dairy but a lot of fresh produce to keep cold, which is bulky..

[Rosie n' Jim]

This is very slightly off the original question, but I bought a Halford 40l compressor fridge back in July. Obviously it doesn't fit in the standard fridge location, but it works very well, uses about 15-20 ah/day at 2°c in hot weather, and is only £250. Not original I know, but keeps beer and food cold, and will freeze it if required.