compressor fridge is the way to go!

[AngeloEvs]

Same as the one discussed, I have had mine for eleven or twelve years and it has been used regularly every week since then. I have said it many times - I would never go back to an absorption fridge (thats why I removed the one in my Autohomes!). Another major advantage is that you don't get rotten floors, drafts through the vents and they don't give a damn wether your parked straight and level......excellent choice the Waeco!

[xpress]

I was about to fit a 212 but you've got me thinking waeco now! are they noisy? the thing that puts me off gas is that It's a wet heat, hence moisture.

in real terms with a sterling set up, with a normal sized leisure battery and main battery, how long would you have to have the engine running each day to use the fridge in the van for three weeks.?

[lloydy]

No they are not noisy, you would hear it running at night when there is no other noise but it wouldn't keep you awake.
Battery wise, you'd have to read the spec for the particular fridge your getting. But something between 10-20amps a day, maybe less if you don't have it set too cold. So you will then have to work out what other power consuming stuff you use. Then size your batteries accordingly.
If you was on a campsite for three weeks, doing day trips, sightseeing ect (using the van every other day) you should be ok, that's if you get a sterling.
I linked two batteries up in parallel, so don't have to worry about what power I'm using.

[xpress]

what will it cost me with a sterling alternator set up and a fridge to rival gas set up?

or could i get away with car battery cool boxes for three weeks?

[lloydy]

or could i get away with car battery cool boxes for three weeks?

they use more amps

what will it cost me with a sterling alternator set up and a fridge to rival gas set up?

second hand sterling = £100-£200 . New, more than double that.
compressor fridge, one like mine £200-£500 depending on size. one that is inbuilt is about £450. Your then looking at cable to wire the sterling in properly (likely to be 35-70mm2) so not cheap.
You can have one without using a sterling, and just have a standard split charge, but this probably won't work as well.

[jed the spread]

I just thought I would add a little on this subject while its running. Rather than look at figures on charts or say something is great or rubbish without any actual experience of something isnt really worth much....

Let me explain,

I have fitted a compressor fridge recently and I am not the sort of bloke to rave on about something to try and warrant me shelling out for it when its rubbish.

Firstly they are miles bigger inside than a gas fridge of the same external size, good if you are heading off where there are no shops,

They dont use gas and are free to run,

They make as much noise as your fridge does at home (miles quieter than having that cooling fan kicking in when its hot on a westy)

I have 1 80amp leisure battery and in UK summer temperatures it will last two days without starting the engine and with my sterling charger the battery will fully charge after 40 minutes of the engine running (about the time it takes to go down the shops to get more beer and food),

Now, a gas fridge cools to around 20*c below ambient temperature doesn't it? If so and like a couple of weeks ago it was as hot as this in my van while in Croatia



Yes.... thats 121.64*F that would mean in a gas fridge it would be a in effect a hot cupboard with food, milk, etc that would be rotten in an hour as well as hot beers and that wouldnt do would it. I popped hot beers from the roof into the freezer compartment and within half an hour they are Icy cold, though it would use more power popping hot stuff in there. If it was just the food in we bought from the shops all ready cold it would still last the two days.

I spoke to other european people who where traveling in T3 campers, none of the people I spoke to had gas fridges that worked in Croatia or Slovenia.

New like for like gas fridges are around the same price as compressor fridges.

They get down to -18 on full whammy like your freezer at home.

You cant die if you have disfunctioning compressor fridge,

The van doesnt have to be level for a compressor fridge to work properly,

Why wouldnt you fit one



I hope this helps.

jed

[Mudlark]

Looks familiar

Just to add....

My Waeco has been in the van since 2002 and never failed us. It gets used regularly in the summer and the last few years the van has got tucked up for the winter.

Come the spring it simply gets wiped inside and switched on and is cold inside half an hour even on my sloped drive.

I dont have a Sterling but I do have a 120A Alternator and a solar panel on the roof that tops up the leisure battery while on site. Most time I have gone on site without hookup or engine is four days.

Had an Electrolux absorption fridge in the old Autosleeper. Running it on gas in a hot climate was simply pumping more heat into the van and we could never get ice cubes.

The compressor gives a little whir every few minutes but if it bothers you stick the freezer packs or ice cubes in the fridge and turn the thing off for the night, No problem.

[xpress]

just an add. how much would it cost to leave your van on idle for 40 minutes. I am even thinking of getting a petrol generator now ....

also, wouldn't it be just the same to run on 12v with absorbtion with sterling?

[jed the spread]

just an add. how much would it cost to leave your van on idle for 40 minutes. I am even thinking of getting a petrol generator now ....

also, wouldn't it be just the same to run on 12v with absorbtion with sterling?

Nothing much happens when an gas fridge is on 12v, well apart from running your battery flat very quickly for very little reward. I always thought the 12v on a gas fridge only worked when the alternator was running but I am no expert and could be wrong.

jed

[72BUG]

Generally as Jed says the 12v on a gas fridge is wired to run when the engine is on to save the batteries. However, there's no reason why it cant be wired directly to a leisure battery via a switch. Ths is how I run mine and it works perfectly well, but I have 2 large 110ah leisure batteries fitted.

I find having the fridge on for just a couple of hours keeps it cool enough all day and saves killing the batteries.

[Mickyfin]

Some great advise here in this thread from people I trust their opinion too, Jed, Lloydy and many others. I will certainly be going the compressor fridge route as I see it a good investment in the long run.

[xpress]

that's it I am not going to run the fridge on gas. going to get me a few batteries and a sterling and maybe a big solar.

[lloydy]

Just a little update for you, I left the fridge plugged in allday today. I also did about an hour and quarter of driving. Just tested the battery voltage, 13.1v
Never got it that high with a split charge relay, even after driving all day.
So the sterling is really doing it's job, and I think a perfect partner for a compressor fridge

[xpress]

lloydy, how big is your battery? also if anyone sees any cheap 2nd hand sterlings for sale, on ebay or anywhere else, plz pm me. i am trying to keep my peepers open for one. thanks!

[lloydy]

160AH, two 80AH in parallel