New fridge

[Scotty71]

it looks like we are going to have to replace our fridge in our 2010 arto it's a RMT 7855 has anyone replaced this unit and what did you replace it with cheers scotty

 

[oldiesontour]

Not specific to any particular van but a much lower cost and greater choice alternative is to buy an ordinary domestic Fridge or Fridge/Freezer and run it through either existing inverter or a small dedicated inverter...will use circa 40/50ah per 24hrs( on 12v) Circa £300 Inc inverter.

 

[Scotty71]

Thank you for your reply ,the 3 way fridge units are really expensive this could really work my only concern would be that we do a lot of wild camping and it would be to draining on batteries

 

[oldiesontour]

Thank you for your reply ,the 3 way fridge units are really expensive this could really work my only concern would be that we do a lot of wild camping and it would be to draining on batteries

That depends on your battery set up we have been off grid for 9 days now without moving.
What batteries/solar do you have

 

[tonka]

Moving to a compressor fridge is a good idea but as your aware you need to ensure you have adequate batteries and charging.
Maybe time to do some maths on potential power usage and cost of a replacement 3 way vs a compressor and a lithium upgrade if needed.

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[Lenny HB]

Thank you for your reply ,the 3 way fridge units are really expensive this could really work my only concern would be that we do a lot of wild camping and it would be to draining on batteries

The cost saving on the compressor fridge would pay for a battery upgrade to Lithium, problem solved.

 

[Terry]

Try asking Steve and Denise what he put in, from what I remember it was a straight swap size wise but he also has lithium

 

[Steve and Denise]

Try asking Steve and Denise what he put in, from what I remember it was a straight swap size wise but he also has lithium

We swapped from a RMDT8505 3 way to a Thetford t2160 same size straight swap, just removed the gas feed and used the 240v feed for the microwave with slight alterations to 240v supply.

 

[oldiesontour]

When I first fitted a domestic fridge we had 200ah lead acid and also ran a compressor cool box at - 18 to use as a freezer in the summer.We hardly ever use hook up,the fridge works hardest and uses most power when the ambient temperatures are high...IE when it's sunny and solar is producing most energy.We are currently in Spain and the fridge/freezer is running about 20 mins per hour at the warmest part of the day (using1 .33ah per hour) I haven't checked night consumption ..we currently use 30 to 40ah sun set to sunrise...but are running the off grid property off the van ( lights,mains water pump etc) as well as the van fridge freezer

 

[Richard n Ann]

Another option is keep your existing fridge, remove all the absorption plant and controls and fit a compressor kit. I did it and it's fantastic! Only runs at about 2 to 3 amps. And much cheaper that buying a new fridge. DIY kit no commissioning needed.

We are lith-atairians now so have plenty of power and I have to tell everyone

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[Scotty71]

That depends on your battery set up we have been off grid for 9 days now without moving.
What batteries/solar do you have

We have 200 watt solar but am open to converting to lithium dependent on cost .The unit we currently have in the van is obsolete so we couldn't replace it if we wanted

 

[oldiesontour]

We have 200 watt solar but am open to converting to lithium dependent on cost .The unit we currently have in the van is obsolete so we couldn't replace it if we wanted

What batteries ?

 

[Steve and Denise]

Another option is keep your existing fridge, remove all the absorption plant and controls and fit a compressor kit. I did it and it's fantastic! Only runs at about 2 to 3 amps. And much cheaper that buying a new fridge. DIY kit no commissioning needed.

We are lith-atairians now so have plenty of power and I have to tell everyone

I followed your conversion of your fridge when you did it and was impressed, certainly a good option.

 

[Scotty71]

Moving to a compressor fridge is a good idea but as your aware you need to ensure you have adequate batteries and charging.
Maybe time to do some maths on potential power usage and cost of a replacement 3 way vs a compressor and a lithium upgrade if needed.

Wouldn't know where to start it will have to go to a company to get the work done

 

[oldiesontour]

Solar/lithium doesn't have to be expensive,I have 440w fixed panels 640ah lipo,50a B2B with built in mppt ...cost circa £1 k drop that to 320lipo £750 total...ad a fridge freezer and dedicated inverter Still around £1k

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[Scotty71]

I followed your conversion of your fridge when you did it and was impressed, certainly a good optio

Solar/lithium doesn't have to be expensive,I have 440w fixed panels 640ah lipo,50a B2B with built in mppt ...cost circa £1 k drop that to 320lipo £750 total...ad a fridge freezer and dedicated inverter Still around £1k

I bought the van with the problem as it was highlighted in the hab check so I negotiated a price reduction but foolishly thought that I would be able to replace like for like , but lithium seems the way ahead

 

[Scotty71]

What batteries ?

2 110 lead batteries I think ,the van is currently in the workshop but they can't diagnose the problem

 

[Scotty71]

I followed your conversion of your fridge when you did it and was impressed, certainly a good option

Another option is keep your existing fridge, remove all the absorption plant and controls and fit a compressor kit. I did it and it's fantastic! Only runs at about 2 to 3 amps. And much cheaper that buying a new fridge. DIY kit no commissioning needed.

We are lith-atairians now so have plenty of power and I have to tell everyone

View attachment 1039957

Thats a brilliant idea what fridge model was the work carried out on ?

 

[Richard n Ann]

Thats a brilliant idea what fridge model was the work carried out on ?

I think it was an RMS8400 by Dometic

The stat that comes with the kit is a basic mechanical one so I fitted an electronic controller too
I'll look the thread up...

 

[Richard n Ann]

Converting our 3 way fridge to compressor.

Been trying to keep busy over the last 2 days so I started my compressor project. Mainly to save gas and the inconvenience of filling up, the compressor fridge will run off solar easily but even if the battery gets a bit low you can fit a resistor to the controller so it will switch off at 11v...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[oldiesontour]

2 X 110 LA batteries should be ample it's what we had originally,did a year before lithium upgrade,so we could use 1400watt air fryer

 

[Scotty71]

2 X 110 LA batteries should be ample it's what we had originally,did a year before lithium upgrade,so we could use 1400watt air f

I think it was an RMS8400 by Dometic
View attachment 1040007

The stat that comes with the kit is a basic mechanical one so I fitted an electronic controller too
I'll look the thread up...

Just read through your post what a fantastic job you done ,but unfortunately well beyond my skill set

 

[oldiesontour]

Our current f/f bought from eBay circa £120,If you have the patience to look at eBay,Currys,Argos,AO etc sizes can be found but often not easily

 

[Scotty71]

2 X 110 LA batteries should be ample it's what we had originally,did a year before lithium upgrade,so we could use 1400watt air fryer

I think we are going to convert to lithium might as well try to get it done all at the same time as we do love the van and plan to have it for the long-term

 

[oldiesontour]

I think we are going to convert to lithium might as well try to get it done all at the same time as we do love the van and plan to have it for the long-term

Definitely a game changer,with lithium now being comparable in price to LA half the weight and size amp for amp and much longer life,quicker charging and much higher output current.You also need to consider more solar if possible...although lithium stores much more power it still has to be put back !

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[Scotty71]

Yeah I will have to double the wattage I would imagine at the very least but it will be less roof to wash