Fridge advice for a first timer

[YorkshireMat]

Looking for advice on fridges, type, style, shape, position etc.
Is installing a fridge the best option or is a good cool box just as good for weekends away?
We only purchased the camper a couple of weeks ago , it’s a 1988 RHD Devon converted by someone who worked for Devon at the time so not sure if it’s 100% accurate or if he just chose bits he liked and made the rest up. (I’d attach a picture but haven’t worked that bit out on the forum yet)
Been looking at the dometic cfx2 28 as it fits perfectly in the unit the the right of the hob but is airflow a problem? Will it drain the battery?
Is a fridge in the traditional place under the sink a better option?
Any advice is much appreciated
Thank you
Mat

[TwinTurbo]

Do you want to be able to use gas and electricity? if so will limit you to an absorbtion fridge which is finr on 240V and works but power hungry ( if your already payig EHU you don't care.  Not overly favourd these days.

A Compressor fridge like a domestic fridge requires electricity, although much more efficient than a 12V absorbtion fridge. These are the modern way to do it but you need to match your Draw to your expected battery life if off grid. ( including other drains on your supply. 

You can get compresor cool boxes, but if your not going to use it anywhwere else why not build it in. Compatible sizes wil be a deciding factor. 

[hotpod]

my old absorption fridge in one of the vans runs fine on gas if parked up, also runs fine on 240v when on hookup and will run whilst driving on 12v to keep its cool until i can stop and put it on mains or gas. It will eat the leisure battery in a very short time if accidentally left on 12v when stopped. It has a relay to prevent that happening. It is a faf to say the least to keep its cool when travelling and stopping overnight etc.
In my other van I have replaced the same model fridge in the same spot in the van ( both westys) with a new dometic compressor fridge and I leave it on all the time. There are always cold beers and water, and ice in the freezer along with the fish fingers and I just dont have to think about it anymore. I have a 75AH agm battery and a 100w solar panel on the roof and it is just ace.
If I was building an interior or happy to customise the interior rather more than I am, I would have a top loading fridge freezer somewhere instead as they are even more efficient, due the fact that the cold air doesn't fall out whenever you open the door.
I would say it depends on how you use the van and how much you want to spend as to what you could/should get.
I like the van to be ready to live in at all times and It has never been on a hook up in the 20 years I have had it.
If you drive to a campsite and then go on hookup and stay there then you probably dont need the solar. you can put the fridge on when you leave home and it will be powered by the alternator, be cold when you arrive and then run from the mains via the leisure battery (assuming thats how your hookup and battery are set up? ) 
the dometic fridges have an optional 240 to 12v converter to run the fridge on if your leisure battery isn't charged from the mains.

I am totally a solar and compressor fridge convert but it wasn't cheap to do properly. It was money well spent though.

 

[bat]

I am totally a solar and absorption fridge convert.

Hi, Hotpod, am I correct in thinking "absorption " was a typo, and you meant,
    I am totally a solar and compressor fridge convert.

If so, I would totally agree. Currently, we use a Waeco freezer box, but when I eventually redo the cupboard units, I intend to fit a permanent compressor fridge unit.
Regards Gary

[hotpod]

Yes, totally correct thank you. That would be confusing to read 
Edited now.