Compressor fridge where can you put compresssor? (1 Viewer)

[Happy1]

looking to fit one of these dometic fridge draws

https://www.dometic.com/en-gb/uk/pr...ors/dometic-coolmatic-cd-20-dcb-w01-a-_-31091

product info says compressor can be fitted to rear, left or right, question is can you fit it lower or higher or does position affect coolant movement i.e. does gravity affect cooling process?

 

[jockaneezer]

Bump

 

[Lenny HB]

Why not ask Dometic, you can send a message from the support page.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[gus-lopez]

You should check with them as suggested but usually it would be level or lower.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Did you get this installed?
You can fit the condenser unit (ie compressor) where you want, gravity doesn't effect the refrigerant at all at these distances. If you were talking say over 10m away then a bigger condenser unit would maybe be needed, and more refrigerant added to the system during commissioning, but anywhere on a motorhome is pretty local for a split system. Some building refrigeration systems have the condensers 100m away with big vertical runs up to the roof.

 

[Happy1]

Not quite, the van arrived with some bits missing which dealer is sorting as we speak, when I get it back I'm ready to start. The unit has a fixed 1.5 m of tube so should be pretty local as you say,
The whole unit i.e. fridge draw and compressor is going in the bottom of a wardrobe just need to work out whether to fit compressor to left or right, it arrived in box fitted to rear, more to go with door clearance than anything else. Looking forward tongue extra space, first trip out struggled to get wine and beer and food in the existing fridge!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DBK]

We have a drawer fridge at home, it has three drawers but none of them are deep enough to stand a bottle of wine in. So just make sure you buy screw top wines or have a collection of stoppers handy so you can lay an opened bottle on its side.

But what are the ventilation requirements for this 'fridge? I would have thought that would influence where the cooling unit goes, assuming the condenser is part of it. Our home fridge has a fan to draw air over the condenser - might be worth considering if air circulation might be an issue due to limited space. Our Dometic compressor cool box we use in the MH also has one.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Googled for pictures of the condenser, a couple of different ones came up so don't know what exact type of unit it is, but I think it's safe to say that it will be a compact fan assisted type so noisy like a coolbox. I would make sure it's well ventilated (probably no need to cut a hole in the van) especially if your going abroad.

 

[Happy1]

Many thanks for suggestions, in the wardrobe there is a false wall to cover some heating pipes, thinking it would make a handy chimney with a vent up top and with heat rising etc. leaving a gap by the unit at the bottom hey presto!
Also on an outside wall so if that does not work then a proper fridge vent maybe?

Its in addition to the standard 90l fridge, have been used to 150l in past so a bit of a squeeze, wine in the main fridge can be stood up, the drawer is for overspill - not literally! - small beers and food.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Richard n Ann]

The best way to tell if it's too hot for it. In the 1/4" pipe off the condenser (condenser is the heat exchanger with the fan next to it) will be one of these..

It's a filter dryer. It should be slightly warm to touch or sometimes just feel cool. If it's hot the life of the compressor will be reduced, even though the fridge seems to be working normally the compressor discharge pressure will be high and it will use more current.
If it's hard to get to I'd tape a thermometer probe to it.

 

[Happy1]

Fab thanks will do!

 

[Happy1]

Would it be the copper tube centre rear of unit in photo?
I need to relocate unit to side of unit guess i carefully unwind the insulated coil to left of picture

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Richard n Ann]

Yes that's it with the capillary tube coming out of the bottom. Looks like it's just a folded static condenser like on a domestic fridge. Is there a fan on it? Can't see the far side. You could cable tie a computer fan on it if it gets too hot, and wire it up to come on with the compressor.
Don't worry about damaging the copper coil, it's 1/4" soft copper, won't snap and would only kink if you bend it violently round a sharp corner.

 

[Richard n Ann]

The weak point is the bend on top of the compressor, that will kink easier, be careful not to bend it there.

 

[Happy1]

Thanks again for advice, there is quite a large fan on opposite side that you can't see in photo.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Richard n Ann]

I'm thinking of stripping the absorption plant off our fridge and fitting a compressor kit...

The cost of EHU where we go will cost €50/month extra with the absorption fridge, where as the compressor kit at 35w(when running!) will run on solar. Our existing absorption fridge is 125w. They really are energy guzzling, high maintenance, outdated crap. (no offence to anybody that likes them)

 

[Happy1]

Keeping our options open, 90l absorption will work well in winter on gas when we use aires for skiing plus fitting a fan to assist in high temps for the summer
The extra 30 l drawer should run off 240amp battery bank and solar most of year hopefully !

 

[Happy1]

Many hours later all done!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Richard n Ann]

Did you site the unit OK? Is the filter/dryer cool?

Many hours later all done!

 

[Happy1]

Bit of a struggle moving unit from rear to side and bending pipe whilst holding compressor definitely a two person four hand job
Then dometic dimensions ignored pipe from unit to compressor so cut a small groove in van wall - nightmare,
Fitted side and top vent airflow seems ok but not had full test due to work but off for three week tour so will find out!
Options for extra ventilation if required, well pleased with result!

 

[Silkcut1105]

Make sure you have plenty of fresh air ventilation for the condensing unit. The cooler the compressor the more efficient it will be

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Happy1]

Will do!

 

[EuroTrotters]

Anything is Possible! Almost