Fridges

[Mblinko]

Why is it that we all buy compressor coolers which have lids and can be carried around when we are not going to be carrying them around and you need to be 6 foot plus to see in them (luckily I am but my wife is not). Why don't we buy compressor fridges ones like those fitted to caravans

After all all they are much cheaper and use the same amount of power.

 

[Towpack]

Caravan fridges are of the absorption type and don't have compressors and they're very ​expensive compared to their domestic compressor run equivalents.

 

[lc 120]

They are also not much good in hot weather....

 

[Towpack]

They are also not much good in hot weather....

Depends. Mine packed up in the caravan back in June in a (rare) Scottish heatwave! Faffed about with it on the campsite for a while and the fix was to take it out, stand it upside down for a couple of days and it now works better than it's ever done no matter how hot the ambient temp!! Something to do with crystals building up in the system and blocking the flow. This is more of a problem if they're left unused for long periods, as is the case with my caravan. Leaving the unit inverted for a while somehow frees up these crystals and hence the flow of the coolant.

 

[Mblinko]

Caravan fridges are of the absorption type and don't have compressors and they're very ​expensive compared to their domestic compressor run equivalents.

Not all of them are, that's why I'm asking, see here for example, costs to run and temperatures are about the same.

 

[Mblinko]

They are also not much good in hot weather....

I've a couple of caravans and both fridges work brilliantly in heat waves, this is why I'm asking the question, before I lash out a shed load of money on something I want to know that it's a wise decision.

 

[moggy1968]

caravan fridges are designed to be used in caravans. They lack the robustness and durability for use in an overland or off road vehicle. If your not going into harsh environments they're probably ok but otherwise, they won't last IMHO

 

[Towpack]

Not all of them are, that's why I'm asking, see here for example, costs to run and temperatures are about the same.

Obviously there's no gas option on those compressor run fridges so, personally, I wouldn't fit one in a caravan or RV. The fridge in my van certainly gets cold quicker when on gas due to the heat source being virtually instant I guess.

 

[Towpack]

caravan fridges are designed to be used in caravans. They lack the robustness and durability for use in an overland or off road vehicle. If your not going into harsh environments they're probably ok but otherwise, they won't last IMHO

Can't argue with that. I was surprised how 'tinny' the thing was when I got it out. Lightly built for a reason obviously but a rough overland crossing would probably shake it to bits.

 

[Mblinko]

I was nearly sold on the potential for not being robust, but then I got to thinking these things are used in boats where things are probably as choppy as they might get in an off road situation.

i just find this a really interesting question and wonder if there is an alternative. It would be more accessible and no need for a slider and it could be properly mounted as we would drawers.

that said, gut feel is that it wouldn't be as robust.

 

[moggy1968]

I was nearly sold on the potential for not being robust, but then I got to thinking these things are used in boats where things are probably as choppy as they might get in an off road situation.

i just find this a really interesting question and wonder if there is an alternative. It would be more accessible and no need for a slider and it could be properly mounted as we would drawers.

that said, gut feel is that it wouldn't be as robust.

but without the dust and vibration

 

[Shayne]

Put your mobile phone down to hard nowadays and it's toast , drop a satnav and it's a gonner , yet both survive in your truck while off road . Plenty of yanks jack up folding campers meant only for tarmac with cookers and fridges and what not built in and take them on trails . Commercial fishing boats use exactly the same appliances you might find in any home kitchen . If stuff is built to survive delivery by some of the courier services i've seen it's likely to be robust enough . JMO

 

[Chris]

Not sure we all do. That's in relation to the original question.

I do use the handles on both my Waeco fridges and I can see in them cos I have a fridge drop slide

Where the smug imoticon?

 

[moggy1968]

Not sure we all do. That's in relation to the original question.

I do use the handles on both my Waeco fridges and I can see in them cos I have a fridge drop slide

Where the smug imoticon?

View attachment 16106

nice that, was that custom built or off the shelf?

 

[Chris]

I'd love to have made it. It's not complicated when you look at it but the real challenge is getting all the pivots in the right places. Same as always. Easy to copy, hard to design. I got it second hand. Doesn't have a manufacturer's name on it

 

[Rob]

I find with my fridge is that it has sustained a huge amount of abuse mainly from other things found in the boot. You never know when you will need to chuck a couple of bikers aluminium panniers full with kit or a load of firewood next to or on top of the fridge.