Compressor fridge Vs 3 Way

[iampatman]

Hi all,
We have a Thetford 3 way fridge in our van which although it works isn't much good at keeping things cold when we are in warm climates. I'm thinking about replacing it with a compressor fridge which would seem more efficient from what I have read.
As I understand it a similar sized fridge would draw about 2-3 amps/ hour from the leisure battery and it can also be connected to use 240v if we are on ehu. I've got a 100w solar panel and a Bosch Silver S5 105a battery so if we are in decent sunshine I can't see a problem but parked up for a couple of shady/overcast days?
Does anyone have any experience of a compressor fridge or any advice they can offer?
Thanks,
Pat

 

[Deleted member 34243]

Hi
We have a Vitrifrigo compressor fridge, 90w solar and 2x110ah batteries.
Almost never use EHU but we do tend to move frequently.
Fridge worked well in southern France in June.

 

[Rob H]

Compressor fridge.

Hi,

I fitted a 12 /24v Dometic / Waeco CB40 to a self build VW T5 couple of years ago, Brief was it had to take standing bottles of bubbly and a packet of fish fingers, lol ... was expensive, but has proved reliable, will chill or freeze, it's a top loader so it doesn't loose it's cold air each time you open it, needs no holes in side of van, has a relocatable compressor unit if you need to reconfigure it for your available fitting space, I fitted a 12v computer fan next to the heat exchanger to ensure good airflow and increase efficiency, direct the waste air into a cupboard that stores clothes bedding. Don't notice any noise or heat from it when its running, doesn't seem to use many amps, not been troubled with any internal condensation build up, easy to clean, it's powered off 2 x 100w solar panels, and have 180ah of 12v leisure battery capacity. Ensure you follow the manufacturers electrical cable capacity guidelines. I camp in remote spots / never use hook up.

Hope this helps your decision making.

Rob H

 

[tadpole58]

We have a compressor fridge and a 165w panel. Never come close to running out of power and that is in this country - we havent had the time to get to sunnier climes yet. But the fridge is the only major power drain. All lights are LED, we don't use the TV much and have no heating drawing electricity

 

[Steve121]

Our first fridge was a Dometic 3 way portable cabinet type. It worked quite well, even in July in southern France, but they do need to be kept level and take up a lot of space. We changed it after a year or so for a Waeco CF35 compressor fridge-freezer. An amazingly good fridge which works fine at angles of up to 30°, which is essential if, like us, you travel to places only available to 4X4 vehicles. Due to space restrictions our Land Rover ambulance based conversion can only accommodate the slightly smaller CF25 model, which although good doesn't quite match the performance of the CF35, but still worked faultlessly in the Moroccan Sahara a few weeks ago. Although we usually only stay for one day in any one place, we did spend 3 days in Europe last summer without moving or running the engine, and our CF25 kept running 24/7 using very modest (40 Watt) solar power. We never use UHU and have a pair of 60Ah LBs.

 

[Deleted member 22077]

Got a waeco cr80 compressor fridge and never been close to flat. Have 225ah batteries and 200W panels.

It's horses for courses I'd say. You'll want half decent battery capacity and a good means of keeping them charged, so solar, driving or ehu. So if you're going to be camping in the winter, not driving much and don't want ehu then you'll likely be better with gas.

However, I prefer compressor personally, no angle issues, no holes in the walls and less to go wrong.

 

[Fazerloz]

We have a waeco cr65 fridge two 75A lb and 200w of solar, it seems to be on top of the job. It is an excellent fridge.

 

[iampatman]

Thanks for all the advice so far. Still undecided so keep 'em coming.

Thanks,

pat

 

[Deleted member 3011]

Most problems with absorption fridges are caused by poor installation that results in little or no decent air circulation up the rear of the unit. There should be very little gap between the wall and the fins and also the design of the air space between the top of the coils and the top vent needs to be correct.
Major manufacturers have detailed instruction manuals on-line so have a look at them and see whether your installation complies. Given that most RV manufacturers are too lazy to do the job properly, chances are good your installation is not up to scratch.