Fridges
My caravan has a 3 way absorption fridge that runs on gas, 12V or 230V. I'm told motorhomes have compressor fridges like you would have at home. Why? Do motorhome fridges just run on 12V and/or 230V or are they able to run on gas too? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each type?
Comments
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Kj is correct. The fridge in our PVC MH is a 3 way exactly the same as in a caravan.
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The fridge will only fully run on 12 volts when the vehicle engine is running thus the alternator is providing power ie whilst on the move but when run on gas/mains the 12 volt circuit still powers the control panel (via the leisure battery) with the gas/mains heating the chemicals in the cooling system. The one advantage is if you have paid for an electric hook up you would be saving money not using your gas
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Some motors do have "Compressor" fridges which run on 12 volts only. My Autocruise JAZZ { Sadly I believe now no longer made
} runs quite happily on 12v with no problems. The fridge has Temperature controls on the inside but the only thing that gives me concern is ensuring that it does not get too cold 'cos that could cause my insulin ( I am Diabetic obviously ) to freeze and become unusable.0 -
That's cruel TG
. Just had to have a peep at their 2020 models and I still like the Medium size. Its the same base as my Jazz at 5.40 metres but the Citroen badge . Glad I did not see one at NEC this week tho' -- that could have been a tad embarrassing 
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Compressor technology is more efficient and capable of reaching lower temperature than the "absorbtion" technology that is needed for our three way fridges. The latter use gas, 12 VDC, and mains all in the same way to generate heat, as the driver of the cooling system, odd but true.
The huge potential negative with compressor fridges, is they can't use a readily stored energy source, here gas, so the duration of use is much curtailed. That is only an issue if extended duration is needed. If as can be the case with motorhomes, they are frequently moving so the engine can provide the energy, rather than sap the battery, and or, one is always on an EHU to provide the energy, then that limited duration from a battery is no issue.
Theoretically, an adequate solar arry could provide the DC energy needed.
I "suspect" compresor fridges can better exploit much of the domestic fridge makers production facilities, possibly reducing the cost? Together with breaking a niche makers market, with the chance that brings of more competative pricing?
I can't see an issue having a compressor unit even for caravans where the users are always on EHU, but a killer issue for off grid caravanners and MHers who linger more than a couple of nights. Possibly, the noise of a compressor fridge would worry some sensitive sleepers?
Therefore for us, neither a caravan or MH with one could be a purchase contender.
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"The huge potential negative with compressor fridges, is they can't use a readily stored energy source, here gas, so the duration of use is much curtailed."
I feel that comment needs putting in perspective:
Running off the van's battery is limited, in that with say a 100Ah battery there is just 0.6 kWh, point six of a "unit" of usable stored energy. Based on 50% depth of cycling.
Running from a 6 kg propane or butane bottle, has of the order of 80 kwh, eighty Units of available energy. Thats more than 130 times as much as the battery!
Obviously efficiencies come into play but nevertheless the difference remain very wide.
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