fridge or no fridge ?

[shiplee123]

Im setting up my van as more as a day van than a camper. Gonna fit a small 12 v fridge. Any sugestions ?

 

[lard]

Hi,

3 main types of 12v fridges I found when looking:

Peltier - cheapest and most common type, they are not fridges, only coolers and work using a constant 12v fan blowing air and relying on the peltier effect to cool, they are fine when you are going along but will drain a battery in no time when left on so not suitable for leisure battery unless hooked up - you will also struggle to find a decent one that can be fitted (and as above - I wouldn't bother fitting them)

Absorbtion - also known as "3 way" fridges - they rely on heat to work and do this via 12v, 240v or gas - the old electrolux type fridges you see are 3 way absorbtion ones and are great, but do need venting (you can also get standalone ones from go-outdoors e.t.c.)

Compressor - these are very efficient 12v fridges and work very well, and can also freeze ice e.t.c. - but on the downside are expensive compared to 3 way/peltier - my brother has a waco one and rates it highly and if I had the cash I'd get one!

I personally have a 3 way fridge, not built in but standalone and gets thrown in the back when we need it - getting a standalone is good as when camping it goes in the awning running on gas (a large campinggaz bottle lasts a week), goes on 12v when running and 240v on hookup - also gets put on for extra home capacity (christmas!)

 

[Pete B]

If you are only looking at days out, then why bother with a fridge? Just get a good Coleman or Igloo coolbox and a few ice packs or bags of ice. I have a couple of coolboxes, smaller one for a day or larger one for weekends etc. When not needed they live in the shed so leaving more space in the bus. On a weekend trip the big box goes in the awning and also doubles as a seat.
Just my view .

 

[middi]

I dont use a fridge either We have a couple Coleman of cool boxes for weekends away. chuck all the stuff in and bags of ice One for food and one for drink works well for us

 

[Araon]

As above for a day van get a good (or a couple) cool box, the igloos will come in all sizes last for 5 days if properly used and can double as outside seats.

 

[GIZ59]

nope , i dont bother with a fridge just fall back on boy scout training and dig a bloody big hole in the earth>who cares if neighbour complains its a shared garden?!

 

[Sausage]

Decent cool box for me too. For longer trips buy a couple of bags of ice every 3 days and all good to go. Spent 2 weeks in France doing that this summer and not a problem.

 

[baz1875]

As above for a day van get a good (or a couple) cool box, the igloos will come in all sizes last for 5 days if properly used and can double as outside seats.

the igloo ones come up cheap in costco quite a lot i paid about £35 quid for a large box that came with a small one and a drinks cooler for free, before we go away i fill ours with ice or a couple of frozen bottles of water and leave it out side or the garage over night then load it up add cool blocks and go seems to work well.

 

[Myvanway]

Coolbox for weekend trips. (Coleman). 8)

 

[lobie]

i use one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coleman-Xtreme-36-Quart-Cooler-Coolbox-/110994283434?pt=UK_TravelTickets_Accessories_RL&hash=item19d7c65baa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

used it for weekends away last season however i have since bought this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vintage-thermos-large-cool-box-blue-splitscreen-vw-T2bus-camper-volkswagon-/170944794939?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&nma=true&si=u8i8y%2BcmrTPqxpGb50MsBMrNww4%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

so may be selling the coleman one

 

[gonzomillstrood]

Whats the chances of me taking out my cool box in my LHD westy and putting a 3 way fridge in there? or is it a little more complicated than that?

 

[aogrady]

Whats the chances of me taking out my cool box in my LHD westy and putting a 3 way fridge in there? or is it a little more complicated than that?

Hi!

I did this, took out the water tank, and cooler, and fitted a Waeco CR50 12V compressor fridge, so nice cold drinks and ice cream! It's a bit smaller than the original cooler box, but you need to allow for ventilation, and i didnt want to shorten or widen the current unit, as want to keep it all stock looking.

The fridge is a Waeco Coolmatic CR50-E. I bought it from here:

http://www.xtremevan.co.uk/product_info" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... ts_id=5084

Spec from the website:

Model CoolMatic CR-50 Chrome Compressor Fridge
Gross Capacity Approx. 48 litres including 5-litre freezer compartment
Voltage 12/24 volts DC
Average Power Consumption Approx. 40 watts
Current Consumption (12 volts DC): 1.4 Ah/h at +25°C ambient temperature,
1.7 Ah/h at +32°C ambient temperature,
both at +5°C interior temperature and -18°C in the freezer compartment
Insulation Full foam insulation in CFC-free polyurethane foam
System Fully hermetic Danfoss BD35F compressor with integrated control electronics, low-voltage protection, electronic fuse/automatic reverse pole protection, dynamically ventilated wire tube condenser, mechanical, continuously variable thermostat

Material Stainless steel fittings, plastic interior, plastic door frame, body with coated metal frame
Colour Body: black, door frame: silver, door panel: matt silver (brushed stainless steel appearance)

Built In Dimension (WxHxD) Without door:
380 x 534 x 447 mm
With standard frame:
384 x 536 x 447 mm
With flush-mount frame:
406 x 536 x 495 mm
Weight 19 kg

Interior light, door with magnetic seal, variable door mounts and locks right/left, door with double lock (top/bottom) and dual function (locking/ventilation), separately insulated 3-star freezer compartment, additional, foamed rear-wall evaporator in the interior, easy-to-change decor panel
Test Marks TÜV/GS, e-approved to 2004/104/EC (Automotive EMC Directive)


You can also buy a frame to build in which looks really smart, you can have it flush fitting, but as i wanted the original door in place, using the original magnetic strip, i opted to just have the fridge without a fitting kit. In my calculations, i have allowed a little gap all the way round, which i can get a seal to cover, or just leave as it for ventilation. I could have modified the sink unit to fit a larger fridge, but wanted to retain the standard outward dimensions, and wanted plenty of room for a hob to fit on top also.

The fridge has the provision for screw fixings in the sides to secure, along with the ability to fit a drain for the defrost water, as the compressor is mounted on top along with the condenser as you can see in the pictures. I have the hole in the floor blocked off when i fitted the cork floor, but easy to punch a hole in to allow for the fridge drain, and for additional ventilation, though i dont think it will need anything else. I will fit a nice blanking plate to fill the hole underneath left from the original sink drain install, just allowing a grommet large enough for the drain to pass through.

It's a low power fridge unit, and will run via a solar panel, so once i am happy with the setup, i hope to look into a solar setup for charging the battery and running the fridge. May well change the lesiure battery, as though it is quality, and weights over 30 kilos i may add - it's 80ah, but fills the battery tray, will see if i can get a 100ah instead, but same size.
I want to retain the battery in the same spot, or even maybe a additional one under the bed if there is space next to the propex, this will increase the off-grid time running of the fridge, prior to getting the solar set up. In theory, a 80W panel should be enough on a reasonable day to keep everything running and topped up, so may well never need on site electric ever.

Then, mod the unit and bulkhead so i can swing the whole shooting match out of the van for cooking! Though i may need to strengthen the base of the unit, certainly fix some additional brackets etc due to the basic glue in a groove construction (albeit with long air gun type nails)

Looks like this in the van:

It's a expensive option a compressor fridge, but as it's a westy, the original coolbox didnt serve it's function well for me, and it seemed a bit pointless carting another cool box around, yet i need the area for the gas hob, so the best option for me was to swap out the original cooler, and fit a proper fridge. You could of course fit a 12v cooler, but these are current heavy and a little noisy, and the same for a 3 way unit, i didnt want to cut holes on the outside for a gas flue, though you may be able to modify a gas vent and fit a small flue on the door post like the latebay westys.

http://thelatebay.com/index.php?topic=5019.0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.obrienscamping.co.uk/articles/FridgeInstall.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I didnt want to use mains or 12v as mentioned, as soon as the weather gets better, i will crack on with the 210ah battery and solar system i have plans for, which will last longer than the 80ah i have at the moment

Hope all of this helps, sorry for the long post. :msn4:

Cheers!

Alistair

 

[BARKING MARK]

aogrady im loving your set up. What and where did you get the hob from? It looks a perfect fit in place of the sink. I have a 71 tin top and im looking at fitting a 3 way fridge using the sink roof vent as an exhaust vent and the hole in the floor that was for the waste pipe as an intake.What do you think?

 

[aogrady]

aogrady im loving your set up. What and where did you get the hob from? It looks a perfect fit in place of the sink. I have a 71 tin top and im looking at fitting a 3 way fridge using the sink roof vent as an exhaust vent and the hole in the floor that was for the waste pipe as an intake.What do you think?

Hi,

I got my hob from here

http://www.premierrange.co.uk/glass-cooker-hobs/30cm/lpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They also have a ebay shop. I also purchased the wok burner pan support, though may well not ever use it.

It is a domestic unit, with lpg jets, IIRC the pressure that this unit is supposed to work on is slightly different to a camper install, though one of our local VW club members very kindly brased on a adaptor that it came with so i could use standard copper pipe, with the barbed coupling end to run the usual rubber hose on. The hob works perfectly well on my blue calor bottle, which also runs the propex and the gas BBQ point. May change to red gas if the temperature drops alot.

Used Vohringer ply, cut and trimmed at my local camper conversion shop, cost me £30 all in for the wood, the holes cutting and the edge fitting. £30 well spent as i would probably cut it wrong!

Yes, you well may be able to vent it as you said, i am pretty sure one of the guys on here has done the same, they used the correct vent for the outside door pillar. I think it is one of our Euro friends, maybe mychatype3 or Dirtyharry. I have a feeling the vent was available from here:

http://www.germancampercompany.com/cap-for-refridgerator-1973-79-p-58.html#.UONsoORWySo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have some more pictures on the hob install on my gallery, pg12 IIRC....Have a look and comment on there, will keep this thread a little tidier as the hob isnt directly related to the fridge question. :msn4:

Cheers!

Alistair

 

[gonzomillstrood]

Wow. Cheers Alistair. That pretty much answers my question. Couldnt get to that link you left but im gonna google that fridge and see what I can come up with. So Im assuming that if you go for a solar set up you will stick it on the roof rack (assuming yours is a pop top)?

Did it take much modifying to get it in?

 

[Graham L]

Fridge, we used a cool box and still do in addition to the fridge for longer trips but ours is built into our interior and works really well, we've got a CR 50 as well, great little fridges

 

[aogrady]

Wow. Cheers Alistair. That pretty much answers my question. Couldnt get to that link you left but im gonna google that fridge and see what I can come up with. So Im assuming that if you go for a solar set up you will stick it on the roof rack (assuming yours is a pop top)?

Did it take much modifying to get it in?

The fridge is a Waeco Coolmatic CR50-E. I bought it from here:

http://www.xtremevan.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=5084" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It fitted well, i just removed the inner water tank and old cooler, leaving good space for the Waeco. I have just temporally fitted it in place with large rubber bushes to secure, as i intend to modify the fixings one i design the swing out system for the sink unit

You can also buy a frame to build in which looks really smart, you can have it flush fitting, but as i wanted the original door in place, using the original magnetic strip, i opted to just have the fridge without a fitting kit. In my calculations, i have allowed a little gap all the way round, which i can get a seal to cover, or just leave as it for ventilation. I could have modified the sink unit to fit a larger fridge, but wanted to retain the standard outward dimensions, and wanted plenty of room for a hob to fit on top also.

The fridge has the provision for screw fixings in the sides to secure, along with the ability to fit a drain for the defrost water, as the compressor is mounted on top along with the condenser as you can see in the pictures. I have the hole in the floor blocked off when i fitted the cork floor, but easy to punch a hole in to allow for the fridge drain, and for additional ventilation, though i dont think it will need anything else. I will fit a nice blanking plate to fill the hole underneath left from the original sink drain install, just allowing a grommet large enough for the drain to pass through.

Solar setup. Something along the lines of this for a charge controller for both battery's. May look into another leisure battery to double the run time, as the sun isn't as great here in the UK! :roll:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20A-Duo-Battery-Solar-Panel-Charge-Controller-Regulator-12-24V-Remote-Meter-/110841706113?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D330600486655%252B330600486655%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D9066593744473880078#ht_12412wt_1010" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And once i have measured the rear pop top to find the exact size i need, i will be replacing the metal bars for hardwood, and fitted a square shaped 80W panel to the top, running the cables under the pop top down into the top of the wardrobe, and either make up a install to fit in the overhead locker - (along the lines of my Propex and Zig install under the bed) with a remote screen to monitor charge, or fit into the wardrobe

Perhaps a panel like this kit with controller:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/80W-12V-dual-battery-solar-panel-kit-for-camper-boat-with-controller-80-watt-/110877737967?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item19d0d403ef#ht_3663wt_908" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or a dual setup, but on the pop top, but not keen on the extra weight, but may be handy for directing at the sun when the roof raised. I could always fit some tailgate hydraulic struts, but i will need to modify and strengthen the fibreglass.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-80W-solar-panel-for-boat-caravan-motorhome-camper-12v-80-watt-160W-160-watt-/290722560563?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item43b06a3a33#ht_2092wt_989" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Though i have since found some hinges i could use to direct the single panel on the rear poptop

I have also since found some much cheaper panels, and will use these with my own sourced charge controller system instead of a off the shelf kit.

Fridge will run direct from the solar panel also:

http://www.ra.danfoss.com/TechnicalInfo/Literature/Manuals/06/bd35f-bd35k_solar_electronic_unit_101n0400_10-45vdc_08-2011_dehcei100i602.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have since decided that i am going to remove the zig unit, I really dont need 240v mains via a zig, and will use a home charger to charge the batterys (or on site if really needed) I have found a suitable 20A unit which i can build in under the bed, using space where i want it to go, rather than having to have the zig unit on the front, which is where one of the deep cycle Trojan batterys is going to be living

I want to be totally off grid, and i am researching into DC-DC chargers etc, which i have more details on my thread about this and split charger systems too, the Sterling DC chargers modify the alternater output, and are man enough to charge the Trojans much quicker than a normal split charge system, so in conjunction with something like that, and a solar setup, i should be sorted. I may still utilise the 80ah in the engine bay, or just remove it, it's not like i will need it with 210aH from the Trojans, though if i take it out it wont get used for anything, so i have another project idea in place for that.

Take a look on my thread for the battery and charger setup i am thinking about, it's toward the top of the page, just scroll down a bit:

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11057&start=220" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Comments welcome!

Cheers

Alistair

 

[creationblue]

Hi,

3 main types of 12v fridges I found when looking:

Peltier - cheapest and most common type, they are not fridges, only coolers and work using a constant 12v fan blowing air and relying on the peltier effect to cool, they are fine when you are going along but will drain a battery in no time when left on so not suitable for leisure battery unless hooked up - you will also struggle to find a decent one that can be fitted (and as above - I wouldn't bother fitting them)

Absorbtion - also known as "3 way" fridges - they rely on heat to work and do this via 12v, 240v or gas - the old electrolux type fridges you see are 3 way absorbtion ones and are great, but do need venting (you can also get standalone ones from go-outdoors e.t.c.)

Compressor - these are very efficient 12v fridges and work very well, and can also freeze ice e.t.c. - but on the downside are expensive compared to 3 way/peltier - my brother has a waco one and rates it highly and if I had the cash I'd get one!

I personally have a 3 way fridge, not built in but standalone and gets thrown in the back when we need it - getting a standalone is good as when camping it goes in the awning running on gas (a large campinggaz bottle lasts a week), goes on 12v when running and 240v on hookup - also gets put on for extra home capacity (christmas!)

My Rapido came with one of these and if you dont want to fit a fridge in you bus then you cant beat this one!

 

[BARKING MARK]

Alistair
Thanks for all the info it will help me no end when i fit my fridge and hob. Although i have a Tin Top Westy i may still fit a solar panel to top up the battery,i will fit it at one end of my full length roof rack.
Thanks again.
Mark

 

[aogrady]

Alistair
Thanks for all the info it will help me no end when i fit my fridge and hob. Although i have a Tin Top Westy i may still fit a solar panel to top up the battery,i will fit it at one end of my full length roof rack.
Thanks again.
Mark

No worries, glad i could help. Yes a panel on a rack would be ideal, you may well be able to fit a larger unit, say 100w, or even 2, depending on the rack, that would be awesome, keep us posted!

Cheers,

Alistair