Compressor Versus Absorption Motorhome Fridge.

[Bevbun]

Looking for advice, have a domestic 3 way fridge which is totally unreliable so looking to swap for possibly a compressor 12/24 v fridge with freezer space . So, any reasons why I shouldn’t change it? If I do what do I need to be looking for? Any help appreciated

 

[Richard n Ann]

Hybrid compressor 4 way fridge.

Our van has got a standard 3 way under counter fridge in it and we power it with LPG mostly because electric is metered and expensive where we go in Spain. So I've been thinking of adding a compressor system on and off for a while. Today I had a measure up to see what evaporator would fit...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[treblid]

You are confusing Compressor fridge with an absorption fridge.

Yes, I misread the post.

 

[olley]

I fitted this last week in place of our 20 years old absorption fridge.

 

[Bobby dazzler]

Can you get a 4 way fridge? One that works as a compressor and works off LPG? That would be useful.

Just fit more solar and batteries payload permitting of course lol

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[barryd]

Just fit more solar and batteries payload permitting of course lol

Well yes but not always possible. In an ideal world it would be great to be able to power the fridge off gas, 240v or 12v when parked up.

 

[PaulW2]

I guess it very much depends on one's own setup whether a compressor or 3 way fridge is better. I could manage with a compressor and appreciate that they are more energy efficient.

However, my 3 way fridge doesn't draw electricity and I don't need to install solar. I do have 150Ah lithium and a B to B charger that works well and that suffices for me.

It is true that LPG is becoming more difficult to find in the UK so that is a real pain. In Europe, however, this isn't necessarily the case and I mainly travel in Europe. (I've just checked, and there are 6 LPG stations within 15km of where I am in Portugal.)

 

[Aly1]

When you change from a 3 way fridge to a compressor fridge what do you do about the vents in the van?

 

[Lenny HB]

I’ll tell you next week it says 525mm and my door is 525mm
Interference fit

Are you sure Steve, even my Compactline door is 630mm.

 

[Richard n Ann]

When you change from a 3 way fridge to a compressor fridge what do you do about the vents in the van?

I've blocked up the chimney bit on the right side but left the fans in place, I put the temperature sensor on the compressor discharge pipe and the fans come on at 42c. In the UK I leave the winter covers on and the fan controller off.

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[stevewagner]

You could just convert your existing fridge

 

[Steve and Denise]

Are you sure Steve, even my Compactline door is 630mm.

No Lenny it’s only 525mm Carthargo we’re late coming to the party with the wide door, our previous Hymer had a wide door

 

[Lenny HB]

No Lenny it’s only 525mm Carthargo we’re late coming to the party with the wide door, our previous Hymer had a wide door

Blimey that's narrow even little me would struggle with that.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Blimey that's narrow even little me would struggle with that.

Std door for many a year, but I’m only a light weight

 

[barryd]

I guess it very much depends on one's own setup whether a compressor or 3 way fridge is better. I could manage with a compressor and appreciate that they are more energy efficient.

However, my 3 way fridge doesn't draw electricity and I don't need to install solar. I do have 150Ah lithium and a B to B charger that works well and that suffices for me.

It is true that LPG is becoming more difficult to find in the UK so that is a real pain. In Europe, however, this isn't necessarily the case and I mainly travel in Europe. (I've just checked, and there are 6 LPG stations within 15km of where I am in Portugal.)

I like the idea off using less LPG as it is becoming a pain getting LPG in the UK at least and we only have 1 x 6kg Gaslow and 1 x 6kg calor in this van but even when we get lithium which we are doing I would worry about the power usage on a compressor fridge because we often spend weeks in one place off grid.

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[Martin Stacey]

I'm looking to change from Absorption to compressor.

The only motives are off grid use and the ever rising cost of LPG.

It would be great, if you do change, to hear about the steps, trials and tribulations.

Are you planning on removing a window to get it in, for example?

Thanks

Tony

I have a coachbuilt van and took the old fridge out and put the Thetford T2160 in going through the passangers front door. Tilt the back of the seats all the way back. slide the fridge/freezer in. Needed two people.

 

[Martin Stacey]

When you change from a 3 way fridge to a compressor fridge what do you do about the vents in the van?

I just fitted the Winter Covers into mine

 

[oldiesontour]

I like the idea off using less LPG as it is becoming a pain getting LPG in the UK at least and we only have 1 x 6kg Gaslow and 1 x 6kg calor in this van but even when we get lithium which we are doing I would worry about the power usage on a compressor fridge because we often spend weeks in one place off grid.

Lithium is only part of the solution the maximum amount of solar is also vital if you don't move much to ensure battery is charged as much as possible on low sun days...a discharged lithium has the same function as a discharged lead acid .

 

[barryd]

Lithium is only part of the solution the maximum amount of solar is also vital if you don't move much to ensure battery is charged as much as possible on low sun days...a discharged lithium has the same function as a discharged lead acid .

Well yes of course. I would match the solar to the AH of the lithium. Only so much you can fit on our roof though. About 350w in total I would think. Single 120 up there at the moment.

 

[Jabstatt]

Think in terms of sufficient Solar to run the fridge and charge the batteries all day.

No reason to match Solar to Ahr if you mean, say 100w for 100 Ahr.

Need more by a long way in uk.

Tony

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[1967bowesj]

Compressor fridges are better, fact of life. However they do consume a lot more energy and will drain even the best batteries within 24 hours. Even the more modern tall slimline absorption fridges are power hungry... around 230 watts on 12v when driving.

The one I fitted to replace my rmd8505 is rated at 80w, but that’s if it runs 24/7, the best thing about compressor fridges is they don’t run all the time unlike absorption ones.
Mine probably runs for probably 20 to 25% of the time.
I did a test back in May when I fitted it, ran it empty and on full chat, in the van from my two 95ah leads, even put lights on one night to draw more from batteries, solar wasn’t worth it as if you remember there’s been very little sun up north.
Batteries never failed.

 

[1967bowesj]

I’ll tell you next week it says 525mm and my door is 525mm
Interference fit

Passenger seat out if it don’t go through the hab door

 

[Jabstatt]

It looks to me as if it’s easier to remove a window, glass only, than the pax seat.

Last time I removed a seat was from my transit based MH. Was a real trial. Hidden bolts and seat belts through structure and it weighed a ton.

Tony

 

[barryd]

Think in terms of sufficient Solar to run the fridge and charge the batteries all day.

No reason to match Solar to Ahr if you mean, say 100w for 100 Ahr.

Need more by a long way in uk.

Tony

I was thinking of the scenario of say if you were parked up in a field for a month in April or October. You might get a week of dull weather. Chances are you would be ok with a decent lithium and solar setup if you didnt have a constant draw on the batteries. This is where the ability to switch a compressor fridge back over to gas would be useful. Just thinking along our own lines of how we motorhome which is a bit different to others. Sometimes the above scenario is exactly what we do. Im in our van right now and we have been off grid in the same place for a month. Most people move on regularly so in that scenario it wouldnt be a problem but in ours it might be.

 

[Jabstatt]

We just did a test run. Five nights off grid. Yes, a few dull days.
We were impressed how our 460w array did. Used it for hot showers to try to use it all up.
Did really well
Yes, we go off grid a lot, only maybe a couple of weeks max.
Waiting to see how much we harvest on crisp cold sunny days in winter
Just want more power now!
And a compressor fridge but yes, it’s 50 Ahr a day.

I’ve got a efoy for back up but will take it out when all settled down.

Tony

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[cyberyacht]

Blimey that's narrow even little me would struggle with that.

Mine hasn't got a 630mm door either. Perhaps they put a wide one especially for you in anticipation of all that over-indulgence when touring.

 

[TCG]

Our compressor fridge (under counter with freezer box) ran our led acid battery down on two nights away with one day stationary, but wet, no solar. We now have 230ah lithium and the existing 120 w solar. Now no problems.

Recently changed to compressor and no it wouldn’t go through the hab door… but it did go through the passenger cab door … fitted by Dometic straight swop to the 10 series

 

[ianp]

olley & oldiesontour
Whats the consumption of your mains units like and did you experience any issues with the installation / operation of your units please?
With sufficient energy available it strikes me that fitting a mains unit is a no brainer if they function ok in that environment....!

 

[ianp]

olley & oldiesontour
Whats the consumption of your mains units like and did you experience any issues with the installation / operation of your units please?
With sufficient energy available it strikes me that fitting a mains unit is a no brainer if they function ok in that environment....!

olley oldiesontour
Whats the consumption of your mains units like and did you experience any issues with the installation / operation of your units please?
With sufficient energy available it strikes me that fitting a mains unit is a no brainer if they function ok in that environment....!

 

[dunnah01]

I could never buy a fridge freezer for the van that relied on electricity alone. I spend a lot of time plugged in to 4kW of solar but even this would struggle through UK winter months and needs extra grid leccy.

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[LithiumConvert]

Compressor fridges are better,.

However they do consume a lot more energy

Two conflicting statements.

There is no way that a compressor fridge would suit our lifestyle.