Fridge problem
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!
Comments
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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.0 -
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.0 -
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.
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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 !!
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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.0 -
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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