Gas/3 way fridge in hot weather?
Discussion
Just back from a weekend away and the 30+ year old fridge in the caravan is barely keeping things cool in this weather, even turned up as much as possible on the gas. It was okay for a few days, but the milk this morning was well past it's best, and more importantly the beers were barely cool! Is this normal in this heat, or would a new fridge keep things nice a cool even in the warmest of sunshine? FWIW I don't have electric hook up where we go, so it's either stick with the old 3 way fridge and accept that it can be a bit crap, or spend some money and get a new one but there isn't much point doing that unless I can be sure it's an upgrade, and it's not simply a limitation of the design or way absorption fridges work. Has anyone got experience of a new gas fridge in the heat? TIA.
An 'absorption' fridge can only cool to 20C below ambient, so if it's 30+, you can understand why it's not 'working'. A new one would be no better, that's just the limitations of its refrigerant gas (ammonia based IIRC) and its dated technology.
You need a 12V DC 'compressor' fridge. 'Dometic' used to be the 'go-to', but were prohibitively expensive. Alternatives are now available far cheaper than ever before thanks to the Chinese. I have two 'Dellondas' (different sizes) and they can cool down to -20C regardless, the larger one has dual-zones so you can set the smaller side as a freezer at say -15C and the other at say 2C for fridge duty. They 'cycle' on their thermostats just like a domestic fridge, mine draw 3A when compressing, nothing while idling, averaging around 1A/hr (dependant on ambient and insulation, naturally). This is far less than a constantly running 'electric cool-box' (which also will only cool to 20C below ambient).
To power this, I have a 120AHr battery, charged while driving obviously, and when static by a 150W solar panel. If the weather is looking iffy, I'll sometimes take another battery along as back-up.
Hope that helps.
I have no affiliation to Dellonda other than as a very satisfied customer.
NB Tip for any fridge: In very hot weather, I'll put ice or frozen water bottles in the fridge, to reduce the compressor cycles, and keep it out of the sun if it's free-standing... I've made a reflective thermal jacket for mine from silvered bubble-wrap. Because cold beer matters!
You need a 12V DC 'compressor' fridge. 'Dometic' used to be the 'go-to', but were prohibitively expensive. Alternatives are now available far cheaper than ever before thanks to the Chinese. I have two 'Dellondas' (different sizes) and they can cool down to -20C regardless, the larger one has dual-zones so you can set the smaller side as a freezer at say -15C and the other at say 2C for fridge duty. They 'cycle' on their thermostats just like a domestic fridge, mine draw 3A when compressing, nothing while idling, averaging around 1A/hr (dependant on ambient and insulation, naturally). This is far less than a constantly running 'electric cool-box' (which also will only cool to 20C below ambient).
To power this, I have a 120AHr battery, charged while driving obviously, and when static by a 150W solar panel. If the weather is looking iffy, I'll sometimes take another battery along as back-up.
Hope that helps.
I have no affiliation to Dellonda other than as a very satisfied customer.
NB Tip for any fridge: In very hot weather, I'll put ice or frozen water bottles in the fridge, to reduce the compressor cycles, and keep it out of the sun if it's free-standing... I've made a reflective thermal jacket for mine from silvered bubble-wrap. Because cold beer matters!
Edited by TwinKam on Tuesday 1st July 12:04
I've got a Dometic RC1200 and used it on the weekend, mains powered in advance and everything pre chilled, then on 12v in the van to the site and then ran on a 907 gas bottle whilst there. Topped up with a couple of ice blocks initially, kept everything cold and fresh no problem even with the temperatures we had.
I like it as you don't need to run it on batteries or off the van and the gas usage is very low so a 907 bottle would last a couple of weeks easily even with constant usage.
I bought mine used off a mate for £60 as they are pricey new but it's been excellent and I wouldn't be without it now
I like it as you don't need to run it on batteries or off the van and the gas usage is very low so a 907 bottle would last a couple of weeks easily even with constant usage.
I bought mine used off a mate for £60 as they are pricey new but it's been excellent and I wouldn't be without it now
So would a 12v fridge be better than an absorption fridge? I've only got a single 100AH (maybe 110AH) battery, but do have 120W solar and can add another 100W or so if needed. I've also got a 12v cool box but that empties the battery if left overnight. During the day it runs off the solar with spare to charge the battery.
In very hot temperatures probably, if you can keep it fed with electricity. In more usual temps my Dometic is great and the only thing you need is the small gas bottle rather than loads of batteries / solar. Our van isn't a camper so no leisure battery etc.
Saying that we only go on weekends so with a longer stay a compressor one might be better. I guess it depends on your usage.
Saying that we only go on weekends so with a longer stay a compressor one might be better. I guess it depends on your usage.
Condi said:
So would a 12v fridge be better than an absorption fridge? I've only got a single 100AH (maybe 110AH) battery, but do have 120W solar and can add another 100W or so if needed. I've also got a 12v cool box but that empties the battery if left overnight. During the day it runs off the solar with spare to charge the battery.
'Better', as in better technology, yes. It's a 'proper' fridge. You don't have an absorption fridge at home, do you! But whether or not it's better for you?... D-G is happy with his absorption fridge. I'm happy (delighted) with my compressor fridge.
I have a 3-way and various electric coolboxes, they were OK at the time I bought them, but I have not used them for years because to me the compressor fridges are way better.
And, as you already 'get' solar, it's not a great leap for you.
I'll post this as it might help someone
In the early 1990's i had a caravan with an Electrolux fridge, mains/gas/12v.
In hot weather (the med) it didn't get cold enough to cool my beer so drastic action was called for.
In the side wall of the van there were two vents one above the other.
I took the fridge out and fitted two computor fans on a framework to blow air out of the top one, thereby drawing air in from the bottom one and over the condensor of the fridge.
These were 230V so it only worked when plugged into campsite mains.
They were connected to the fridge thermostat so only operated when the thermostat operated the element.
In addition there was a switch in the fan circuit so they could be turned of at night to allow undisturbed sleep
I have to say that it worked an absolute treat, everything in the fridge got really cold
It could be that caravan fridge technology has moved on in the past 30 years in which case please disregard this post, but it you want to try it it's easy to do
In the early 1990's i had a caravan with an Electrolux fridge, mains/gas/12v.
In hot weather (the med) it didn't get cold enough to cool my beer so drastic action was called for.
In the side wall of the van there were two vents one above the other.
I took the fridge out and fitted two computor fans on a framework to blow air out of the top one, thereby drawing air in from the bottom one and over the condensor of the fridge.
These were 230V so it only worked when plugged into campsite mains.
They were connected to the fridge thermostat so only operated when the thermostat operated the element.
In addition there was a switch in the fan circuit so they could be turned of at night to allow undisturbed sleep
I have to say that it worked an absolute treat, everything in the fridge got really cold
It could be that caravan fridge technology has moved on in the past 30 years in which case please disregard this post, but it you want to try it it's easy to do
I've just ordered one of these, hopefully it will help.
https://camperhappy.co.uk/product/brunner-vento-ng...
We try and keep the firdge side out of the sun and only open the fridge when needed, we cool everything down before ramming the fridge full. We freeze all of the meat too so that although it defrosts it keeps the fridge colder.
https://camperhappy.co.uk/product/brunner-vento-ng...
We try and keep the firdge side out of the sun and only open the fridge when needed, we cool everything down before ramming the fridge full. We freeze all of the meat too so that although it defrosts it keeps the fridge colder.
Edited by stevemcs on Friday 4th July 22:06
I saw a new (to me anyway) solution to this, our 3 way works fine generally in the UK but gradually gives up when we head south to the sun and it’s 30c plus.
A guy on one of the motorhome forums fitted a fan, everyone came on and slated him as this isn’t new.
But he’d put a pc fan in the fridge at the top in front of the cooling fins.
So returning home I’ve been on eBay and ordered a usb PC fan and tried it out.
My only problem was by now back home my fridge had dropped to 6c but I plugged the fan in anyway.
Following morning the fridge was down to -3c.
For £5 it’s well worth a try.
I’ve tried a few things before, renew the heat sink paste, fit a fan to the rear, changed the thermistor, cleaned the gas chimney etc. nothing really made a difference.
A guy on one of the motorhome forums fitted a fan, everyone came on and slated him as this isn’t new.
But he’d put a pc fan in the fridge at the top in front of the cooling fins.
So returning home I’ve been on eBay and ordered a usb PC fan and tried it out.
My only problem was by now back home my fridge had dropped to 6c but I plugged the fan in anyway.
Following morning the fridge was down to -3c.
For £5 it’s well worth a try.
I’ve tried a few things before, renew the heat sink paste, fit a fan to the rear, changed the thermistor, cleaned the gas chimney etc. nothing really made a difference.
Interesting, thank you. I was looking at this thread earlier today. From looking round it appears most of the new vans being made are including 12v compressor fridges, and one video I saw said >80% of new caravans and campers were now using compressor fridges.
The suggestion of a fan could be good though, the airflow certainly isn't the best, it's only got a single vent, and it could be that some cool air blowing round the back will be beneficial. £40 seems much more reasonable than £400!
The suggestion of a fan could be good though, the airflow certainly isn't the best, it's only got a single vent, and it could be that some cool air blowing round the back will be beneficial. £40 seems much more reasonable than £400!
Metric Max said:
In the early 1990's i had a caravan with an Electrolux fridge, mains/gas/12v.
I have to say that it worked an absolute treat, everything in the fridge got really cold
It could be that caravan fridge technology has moved on in the past 30 years in which case please disregard this post, but it you want to try it it's easy to do
The fridge is 1991 or 2 vintage, so whatever worked back then could work now! I have to say that it worked an absolute treat, everything in the fridge got really cold
It could be that caravan fridge technology has moved on in the past 30 years in which case please disregard this post, but it you want to try it it's easy to do
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