Fridge problem

Can't offer any advice on replacing the fridge except to say that if you need 12 volt it would probably come with gas as well. What I can say is that the latest Thetford absorption fridge in our Motorhome is brilliant. Apart from totally automatic changeover (12v, mains, gas) it somehow keeps cold in temperatures of 32 deg. C. 

If you are not bothered about it working on gas, I would be simply looking at domestic fridges at a tiny fraction of the price of a 'caravan' fridge.  They (compressor fridges) are MUCH more efficient as well.

Operation on 12v is possible via an inverter, but probably only realistic for any length of time when the vehicle is on the move and alternator charging.  Some people insist that a 'pure-sine-wave' inverter is essential.  I am not convinced and intend to experiment when I get time.

If you are not bothered about it working on gas, I would be simply looking at domestic fridges at a tiny fraction of the price of a 'caravan' fridge.  They (compressor fridges) are MUCH more efficient as well.

Operation on 12v is possible via an inverter, but probably only realistic for any length of time when the vehicle is on the move and alternator charging.  Some people insist that a 'pure-sine-wave' inverter is essential.  I am not convinced and intend to experiment when I get time.

 

Write your comments here...can't see that a pure sine wave is necessary as the supply is used on a heater (absorption) or a motor (compressor) and neither require a pure sine wave. 

12volt  Compressor   fridges  for  'vanning  certainly do  exist  !!  WAECO  ,  a part  of  Dometic  Group,  make  them  --   Had  to  change  mine  recently  and  the  new  one  is  a  little  beauty  !!  It  runs  for  over  24  hours  on  an  unsupported  12volt  leisure  battery,  so  if  you  are  on  sites  with  E H U  there's  no problem  at  all  !!

Just  Google  Waeco  &  find  your  nearest  accessory  dealer  with  them  in  BUT  they  don't come  cheap  !!

My van uses a compressor fridge which runs on 12v. It runs "indirectly" on 240v in the sense that when hooked up the mains charges the leisure battery which in turn runs the fridge in exactly the samev way as 12v lights etc etc work.  It is essentially maintenance free. Be aware that a compressor fridge is slightly more noisy than a condenser fridge (listen to your domestic fridge) a sound which we find unobtrusive. A compressor fridge is a relatively high current user. Not a problem if you always camp on grid but if you are going off grid the leisure battery and means to charge it must be up to the job and a solar panel will help but isn't magic especially in the winter. It may be the case (and I don't know one way or the other)  that a domestic fridge is unsuitable because it isn't designed to withstand  the road shocks that a  van based fridge would suffer from potholes sleeping policemen etc. So it may be possible but a bit of homework to do. As already remarked it won't be cheap especially if you need battery upgrades etc but then neither is a new three way fridge.

I've had a 2005 Eura Mobil motorhome for a couple of years and the fridge has always been temperamental so I'm considering replacing it. I don't particularly want one with gas, just the 12v and 240v: does anyone know if such a thing exists (I guess it's the standard size for a fitted fridge of that era). Any help or advice appreciated!

installing a fridge that cant run from gas would preclude many from buying your van when ypu come to change it...

not everyone is hooked up all the time and to try and run a fridge on 12v when not on ehu will require a way of regenerating all that juice it uses.....so, larger/more batteries, a solar panel (or two)......

so, unless you are specifically against the idea, i would go for a three way fridge.....you never know, you might want to camp away from a CC-type site in the future, and a gas fridge would help.

I know I am repeating myself (see above) but the latest absorption fridges are really very good so I would consider that the advantages that compressor fridges give are not now so convincing given the extra noise and power consumption.

Hg,  not  arguing  with  you  but  my  compressor  fridge  is  not  noisy,  just  a  whisper  when  it  starts,  not  enough  to  keep  yours  truly  awake,  its very  efficient  when  running  on  the  unsupported  battery  as  I  mentioned  before.  Plus  if  I  go off-site  i.e. away  from  240v,  it  just  takes  two  jabs  at  the  'vans  control  panel  &  it'll  keep  my requirements    nice  &  chilled  with  no  fears  of  gas  running  out  or  ferry-people  getting  upset.

Brian

I've had a 2005 Eura Mobil motorhome for a couple of years and the fridge has always been temperamental so I'm considering replacing it. I don't particularly want one with gas, just the 12v and 240v: does anyone know if such a thing exists (I guess it's the standard size for a fitted fridge of that era). Any help or advice appreciated!

Write your comments here...it could be replaced with a 12v compressor fridge , they are generally cheaper than 3 way fridges. You will need a reasonable leisure battery though, for off EHU use, we have twin 110ah batteries which will last 3 days without any help, but we also have a 100watt solar panel which makes that longer, as long as the sun is shining. Agree, not noisy at all.