Fridge question

shiplee123 · Jun 23, 2013

During this winter I will be fitting my bus out with cupboards etc
In the cupboard ill fit a fridge. Now I realise there's loads of diffrent Options such as 12v cool boxes ect but I really won't a small fridge to run on 12v.
I understand some can run on gas but don't know if I won't gas in the van whilst we are sleeping in it.
I know diddly squit about these 3 way fridges? Do they have to b vented ? What about if your not using gas but using elec only (12v or 240) I don't wont a hole in the side of my
bus :shock:

Any advice would b very helpfull

bigdaz · Jun 23, 2013

The problem with going 12v only is they will eat through a battery in no time at all, the three way runs off 240v for when you are hooked up to mains and gas when you are not. 12v is best left for when you are driving.
a properly installed fridge with the correct gas flu is safe and that is what most motorhome and caravan manufacturers fit.
i use a portable three way an lift it out and put it in the awning when i camp.

aogrady · Jun 23, 2013

Hi,

I have a Waeco CR50 marine compressor fridge, uses little electric, proper fridge with icebox. Does the job right, but expensive.

Pics and details in my build thread, think it's around pg10 or so...

Cheers,

Alistair

fire3500 · Jun 23, 2013

bigdaz said:
The problem with going 12v only is they will eat through a battery in no time at all, the three way runs off 240v for when you are hooked up to mains and gas when you are not. 12v is best left for when you are driving.
a properly installed fridge with the correct gas flu is safe and that is what most motorhome and caravan manufacturers fit.
i use a portable three way an lift it out and put it in the awning when i camp.

The Waeco CR-50 is under £500 and does the job right for a small space. On 12v on a 80ah leisure battery I got 36 hours with it on the mid-way setting when I tested it a couple of weeks back. When I'm hooked up on mains my power management unit feeds it 12v and when I'm running on the leisure battery it does the same. Can't fault it, has ample space and even a little freezer compartment.

Can't really see a reason why a gas fridge would be anything other than a backward step from a compressor fridge (and even from a financial point of view... the fridge *transforms* camping and is less than a decent set of wheels or carbs, less than an engine rebuild, less than a retrim, less than a Westy interior, less than a whole bunch of the overpriced tat we spunk money on... and will keep your milk cold for the morning cuppa. Huzzah!).

The Dometic RM123 type units (formerly Electrolux) and other 3 way units are fine in a caravan or some kind of coachbuilt motorhome but in a little VW you don't really want all the external flues disrupting the exterior lines and it complicates things no end.

Big vote for the CR-50 here... as I sit sipping my perfectly chilled Moet from the van :lol:

Waeco CR50 by iancleary, on Flickr

Haveacamper · Jun 24, 2013

I agree with fire. i bought myself a Vitro Frigo fridge from penguin frigo. I bought the C39i fridge.

http://www.penguinfrigo.co.uk/shop/section/vehicles/#C39i" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

when staying for more than 2 nights i will generally get hookup. the fuller the fridge, the more efficient it is. even in south of France I found that the fridge was fine with standard liesure battery (unsure of rating)

for me, this was the only option as i didnt want to have a vent. If you run gas you Must have a vent in the side of your camper. you can not duct the vent downwards so exiting out of the bottom of your camper IS NOT an option.

NaFe