Electric fridge to replace the original cool box?

[milfredo]

Does/ has anyone replaced the cool box with a modem electric fridge and kept the westfalia look? I love the originality but an elec would be so much more practical for more than a night away.

 

[mike202]

We had the OG coolbox for years and took ice packs with us. In 2019 I realised I could put in a small modern fridge and still keep the original cabinet. I had already stopped using the water reservoir as mine leaked after using it for a few years. Fresh water is easy enough to get hold of so it was not a problem.
I used the Dometic CRX 50 fridge which has been a great little fridge. Following this, if you plan on camping for more than a couple of nights you may want to invest in a solar panel to keep the LB topped up.
So all in all it was quite a lot of work and money getting it done
However I am pleased with the end results as we use our Westy for camping quite a bit.

 

[milfredo]

I got a leisure battery and just got some Solar Panels off Banggood. We use the water tank all the time so I would struggle to lose this. I love the tap and fresh water without worry. I guess it’ll be hard to fit a fridge in there with the tank in place and drain in place.

 

[roobug67]

We had the OG coolbox for years and took ice packs with us. In 2019 I realised I could put in a small modern fridge and still keep the original cabinet. I had already stopped using the water reservoir as mine leaked after using it for a few years. Fresh water is easy enough to get hold of so it was not a problem.
I used the Dometic CRX 50 fridge which has been a great little fridge. Following this, if you plan on camping for more than a couple of nights you may want to invest in a solar panel to keep the LB topped up.
So all in all it was quite a lot of work and money getting it done
However I am pleased with the end results as we use our Westy for camping quite a bit.

Does installing the Dometic CRX50 allow you to keep the original wooden door fascia panel. I'd like to install a fridge too, but I don't want to lose the original fascia of the cool box. Not so worried about the water tank as we don't use that, as long as I can retain the tap for appearance.

 

[Monty]

Random question, do you have the door liner plastic from your coolbox and is it in good condition.
Looking to replace the damaged one from my moonraker.

 

[davecosford]

Here's mine. Sorry about the crappy photos.

Dometic fridge with some fancy fabric glued on the front

 

[davecosford]

Here's the photo

 

[pierrox]

In his 71 US Westy, my brother installed a compressor Danfoss BD 35 behind the passenger seat (tight fit) and kept the original ice-box. It's pretty neat and works really well. It's sold under the brand Danfoss in France, in some places, it's sold under the brand Secop.

 

[blackcountrybob]

Does installing the Dometic CRX50 allow you to keep the original wooden door fascia panel. I'd like to install a fridge too, but I don't want to lose the original fascia of the cool box. Not so worried about the water tank as we don't use that, as long as I can retain the tap for appearance.

The Waeco/Domestic fridges come with a brushed metal finished door insert as standard however this is designed to be removable and is just a panel within a frame so that can be removed to allow customisation with whatever finish you want. If you wanted to be really creative why not take a photo of your existing door, have that printed onto vinyl or aluminium sheet ( there are businesses that specialise in this) and insert that into your new fridge door?

 

[mike202]

Does installing the Dometic CRX50 allow you to keep the original wooden door fascia panel. I'd like to install a fridge too, but I don't want to lose the original fascia of the cool box. Not so worried about the water tank as we don't use that, as long as I can retain the tap for appearance.

Yes, you can keep the westfalia door as the fridge sits inside the unit. I installed batons on the inside of the unit sides to support the fridge as it screws into these to hold it steady. So there are two doors: the fridge door and the Westy unit original door. I got a lot of my ideas from some others on here if you search including Dirty Harry.

I have added a magnetic door stay for the Westy door when the fridge is in use as it’s a lot easier than un clipping the OG strap. However when the fridge is not being used, and is switched off, the door is in the slightly open position on a latch, then I use the strap to hold the Westy door shut. This is the main difference to your fridge at home which is left switched on all the time, whereas your van fridge is not in use all the time.

 

[mike202]

Thought I would add some pics. 1 doors open to vent fridge when not in use 2 doors closed when fridge in use 3 magnetic door catch.

 

[roobug67]

Thought I would add some pics. 1 doors open to vent fridge when not in use 2 doors closed when fridge in use 3 magnetic door catch. View attachment 2866

View attachment 2864View attachment 2865

That's great, just what I'm after, at least it looks stock when closed.

 

[roobug67]

Thought I would add some pics. 1 doors open to vent fridge when not in use 2 doors closed when fridge in use 3 magnetic door catch. View attachment 2866

View attachment 2864View attachment 2865

How have you Vented it so it doesn't overheat?

Also would using an integrated appliance door slider kit work so both doors can be opened together?

 

[mike202]

How have you Vented it so it doesn't overheat?

Also would using an integrated appliance door slider kit work so both doors can be opened together?

There is a gap at the top rear of the cabinet. I want to get a piece of ply with vent holes just to make it look a bit better although as it’s behind the passenger seat you don’t see it anyway. The fridge hardly seems to produce any heat. I have put my hand in that gap a few times since I put the fridge in and never felt any heat.

You could adapt the doors I suppose, but it doesn’t really bother me opening them separately.

 

[klotsie]

I have the indel cruise 49 fitted in my cabinet. But then also the water tank needs to go. Put a standard fridge slider kit on it, so they open together. And hold it in place with a magnet while closed. It works great, doesnt use a lot of power and even has a small freezer compartment.