Compressor fridge or

[colyboy]

What are people’s thoughts on Compressor fridges or gas?

colyboy

 

[mikebeaches]

Understand there are pros and cons of both.

We have only had 3-way fridges in our vans, and that is my preference.

However, not an exactly objective perspective...

 

[TheMachMan]

I was led to believe that these new all electric fridges are much more energy efficient these days.
I know your can get through a fair amount when on gas. As used to find with our past caravans.
However not really tested ours off grid for more than a couple of days so far.

 

[jezport]

Wouldnt want one near my bed, the compressor would keep me awake

 

[G7UXG]

I think there’s a trades description issue with Dometic describing the 8 series absorption units as a ‘refrigerator’. Fitted to thousands of European motorhomes where they might expect people to use them where the temperature exceeds 30 degrees, yet they are only designed to cool to 20 degrees below ambient temperature, and that’s if you’re lucky. I’ve had three and they were all very poor performers in hot weather, although adequate in cooler weather.

I’ve upgraded the electrical system on my motorhome so that I can run a compressor fridge in the boot. Yet to decide what to buy.

I think that if you want cold storage in hot weather, compressor is the way to go.

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

 

[Blue Knight]

We wouldn't go back to a 3-way after having a super cool compressor unit in the Globecar.

We can now carry ice cream and the fridge stays properly chilled; this could never be achieved on the previous vans fitted with 3-way units.

You need to manage your batteries and solar though hence the reason why we have 3 hab batteries.

 

[Dazzlin]

Always wanted to try a compressor fridge for simplicity.

When we got the Hymer (1986) I was happy to replace the original, untested, nearly 35 years old 3 way. (open to offers)

Searched for an efficient under-counter domestic (not Dometic) fridge, an efficient 600w psw inverter, 2 trojan batteries and 2 x 100w solar panels.

Much quieter than the gas on our old van, and uses about 5amps for 15-20 mins per hour and batteries are fine.

This is in Scotland.... Though we do usually spend more time in Spain, oh well post covid hopefully.....

 

[9526]

We’ve just fitted a compressor fridge to ours (3 weeks before we are p/xing the van For a newbie)

It’s so much better than the old 3 way, and the freezer compartment actually freezes stuff right up to the door, (our old 3 way always struggled with a crammed freezer compartment)

With regards to noise, when it kicks in it sounds like a small fan running, its yet to wake me up even in our small PVC.

You are going to need solar, and a decent battery setup if your going to spend extended time off grid, but so far ours has coped well (200w and 200AH of battery) we have a portable 150w of solar for winter use and I would guess this would be required to keep up with the fridges need in duller conditions.

If the 3 way gives up on the new van, I wouldn’t hesitate to get another 12v compressor fridge.

 

[Stroppy Bird]

We've now had both and as has been said there are pros and cons to both.

On the old van we had a 90 litre 3 way fridge and on the current van we have a 152 litre compressor fridge.

The 3 way one was manual select so there were times when we would forget to switch over , no such worries with the compressor, though an auto 3 way would do away with that problem.

The compressor copes much better when on a slope. Even with massive levelling blocks on our drive it was always a struggle to get the 3 way one cold ready for a trip.

The compressor cools much more quickly.

The compressor copes with warm ambient temperature much better.

The compressor is noisier. It does have a night setting, which means that the compressor doesn't kick in as often and the fan doesn't run as fast so isn't quite as noisy as during the day. However, it only really bugs me if it happens to be on when I'm trying to get to sleep, but it doesn't run for that long, and in all honesty the gas burner on the fridge used to bug me just as much. I'm a light sleeper and it isn't loud enough to wake me up.

The compressor is obviously much more battery power hungry than the 3 way. I'm still getting used to managing power consumption with it but on the 3 day off grid trips we've done so far there have been no issues with 200 amp batteries and a 120w solar panel. The test normally would have been our annual 2 week trip abroad, mainly off grid, but unfortunately we're unable to do that this year as the other half wouldn't be able to take an extra 14 days off to quarantine.

So, as I said at the start pros and cons to them both. And I'm not sure if I have a preference over either - but no way would I go back to a smaller one again .

 

[Podney]

I’m surprised people say they’ve had problems with 3way fridge in hot weather.

We have a Dometic 3way fridge and had no problems whatsoever with either the freezer or fridge when we were in France last summer at over 35 degrees!!!

You should have the fridge serviced each year to keep it in good order.

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

 

[cmcardle75]

Compressor fridge pros:
* Can be fitted anywhere in the van, even away from the wall
* Can be run off solar power
* Uses no gas
* More effective at cooling
* Freezer actually works (and often can be removed for more fridge space)
* Can cope with large gradients
* No big holes in the van wall
* More storage space for same physical size
* More environmentally friendly
* Significantly more energy efficient
* Cheaper to run
* Doesn't require a gas engineer for servicing

Cons:
* Requires a source of electricity. You need EHU, a B2B charger (and do lots of driving) or lots of solar (and not be in the depths of winter), or have a short trip where you battery will last out anyway
* Noisier. Less noisy than a kitchen fridge, but there is still noise and some people wake up when a pin drops

 

[G7UXG]

You should have the fridge serviced each year to keep it in good order.

I’d accept that if any one of them worked efficiently from brand new, which they didn’t, including the current one on a 12 month old Carthago.

 

[Richard n Ann]

One advantage of compressor fridges is they can be regassed, when a 3 way loses it's gas it's scrap.

I'd prefer a compressor fridge given the choice but we've only got 1 battery and there's no room for another. Might consider it if the 3 way breaks. First thing I'd do is see if I could reuse the fridge box and just change the workings, I know the 3 way module detaches

 

[peterc10]

I think there’s a trades description issue with Dometic describing the 8 series absorption units as a ‘refrigerator’. Fitted to thousands of European motorhomes where they might expect people to use them where the temperature exceeds 30 degrees, yet they are only designed to cool to 20 degrees below ambient temperature, and that’s if you’re lucky. I’ve had three and they were all very poor performers in hot weather, although adequate in cooler weather.

They work much better if you fit a couple of 12v cooling fans in the gap behind the fridge. Fit is in the top vent to suck out the hot air. We bought an easy to fit kit which works quietly and automatically and since then I have never suffered with warm beer even in the middle of summer.

Edit DO NOT buy Dometic's cooling kit fan, it is next to useless. Ours was made by CBE.

 

[Happy1]

I think there’s a trades description issue with Dometic describing the 8 series absorption units as a ‘refrigerator’. Fitted to thousands of European motorhomes where they might expect people to use them where the temperature exceeds 30 degrees, yet they are only designed to cool to 20 degrees below ambient temperature, and that’s if you’re lucky. I’ve had three and they were all very poor performers in hot weather, although adequate in cooler weather.

I’ve upgraded the electrical system on my motorhome so that I can run a compressor fridge in the boot. Yet to decide what to buy.

I think that if you want cold storage in hot weather, compressor is the way to go.

Did same thing, heavy cables to take current over distance and a Waeco Drawfridge 30l great for keeping beer and wine cold and on the awning side of van so not too far to reach!

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

 

[mikebeaches]

They work much better if you fit a couple of 12v cooling fans in the gap behind the fridge. Fit is in the top vent to suck out the hot air. We bought an easy to fit kit which works quietly and automatically and since then I have never suffered with warm beer even in the middle of summer.

Edit DO NOT buy Dometic's cooling kit fan, it is next to useless. Ours was made by CBE.

We have a 3-way 135 litre fridge in our PVC, and it came with a thermostatic external fan as standard.

The fridge works fine in hot weather, but we sometimes hear the fan kick in during the daytime, especially if sitting outside by the fridge vents. Don't think we've ever heard it cut in at night.

 

[CazPaul]

I’m surprised people say they’ve had problems with 3way fridge in hot weather.

We have a Dometic 3way fridge and had no problems whatsoever with either the freezer or fridge when we were in France last summer at over 35 degrees!!!

You should have the fridge serviced each year to keep it in good order.

We are the same, I never knew there was a problem with 3 way fridges until reading about them.

We've always had them and been abroad in 37 degrees with no problem.

We were in Munster and constantly putting flannels in the freezer for 40 minutes to put on our faces, no fans or any modifications.

I think we've been lucky by the sound of it on all 4 vans we have had. The only thing in common is that all vans were 2006, 2004, 2005, 2005 maybe the newer 3 way ones don't work as well?

 

[Richard n Ann]

Ours is ok (2014). Bad news travels fast

 

[Steve N Tracy]

When we had caravans with standard under the counter 3 way fridges, they were not particulary efficient and needed a fan fitted to assist them, since we moved to motorhomes and had 3 with tall fridges, we have found them to be much better, the gap between the lower and upper grills, means there is a much better temperature difirential between the inlet and outlet, and so far not needed to fit a fan.

 

[berni109]

Compressor fridge works fine on our new van but will exhaust the battery after a couple of days maximum. Great for an overnight not for longer unless hookup or solar.
3way on the old van was fine with fans fitted and never ran out of gas after a short operating period.

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

 

[sgl5gjr]

Had a compressor (coolerbox top load style) in my Bongo campervan ...this is a common configuration in VW campervans across Europe.... fantastic kit... 12 amps per day consumption so 3-4 days on a 110 ah leisure battery .....so....added 100w solar and an MPPT charger and bingo...can be left on full time.... Now as for noise... nah nothing untoward at all really...and to be honest they are fabulous....
Current MoHo has a 3 way....yeah not an issue with it and it works fine . We did keep the Coolerbox compressor fridge from the Bongo...so we use both, tend to use the compressor travelling to site...the if on for a few days use the 3 way....if on the move daily...just the compressor fridge....if the 3 way goes pop...then I will be swapping it out for a compressor unit... but it is horses for courses ....the compressor fridge cools from start in 20 mins.... and generally in UK usual temperatures runs once or twice an hour, hence low amp useage....

 

[Podney]

We are the same, I never knew there was a problem with 3 way fridges until reading about them.

We've always had them and been abroad in 37 degrees with no problem.

We were in Munster and constantly putting flannels in the freezer for 40 minutes to put on our faces, no fans or any modifications.

I think we've been lucky by the sound of it on all 4 vans we have had. The only thing in common is that all vans were 2006, 2004, 2005, 2005 maybe the newer 3 way ones don't work as well?

Yep,we’re 2006. Must have been a good year,and that’s not even the tyres!
I bought a slightly older van more by luck than judgement......well,actually coz I’m as tight as a fishes arse,but Im very glad I did,they seem to be better generally than many later models.

 

[Ernesto]

No experience of 3 way - only had a 2019 compressor version.

Coped superbly with 40 deg heat last year in France no problem and night setting means quiet enough to sleep with. We've not had a problem with power yet - we only have the factory fitted one lead acid 100Ah battery and 100W of solar so expect that will need upgrading soon, but so far very happy with it

 

[SpeedyDux]

Only ever had 2 compressor fridges. First, a top loading Waeco 40 L in the campervan; very efficient and a silent installation. Now a 90 L Vitrifrigo which performs very well, the only gripe being that it is noisy enough to disturb sleep and has no night setting, so I prefer to turn it off when we go to bed and back on when we get up in the morning. The contents haven't spoilt (yet). The PVC has 2 leisure batteries as standard to help run the fridge and heating when no hook-up is available.

The need to have it serviced puts me off a 3-way absorbtion fridge. That isn't even included in a Hab service.

 

[tonyidle]

Only ever had 2 compressor fridges. First, a top loading Waeco 40 L in the campervan; very efficient and a silent installation. Now a 90 L Vitrifrigo which performs very well, the only gripe being that it is noisy enough to disturb sleep and has no night setting, so I prefer to turn it off when we go to bed and back on when we get up in the morning. The contents haven't spoilt (yet). The PVC has 2 leisure batteries as standard to help run the fridge and heating when no hook-up is available.

The need to have it serviced puts me off a 3-way absorbtion fridge. That isn't even included in a Hab service.

Servicing comprises cleaning the flue, cleaning dust from the burner area, and examining the flame. If accessible from the vents it takes 15 - 20 minutes unless the burner needs replacing in which case 30 minutes. Not arduous or difficult.

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

 

[Coolcats]

We are happy with the fridge in our MoHo, it may be small but does the job. Thinking about an extended non shopping Covid trip even in the UK have decided to try one of these. If you shop around it’s possible to pick one up <£300. Am also going to try vacuum storage as well so the aim is to be fully sufficient food wise for 14-17 days.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Servicing comprises cleaning the flue, cleaning dust from the burner area, and examining the flame. If accessible from the vents it takes 15 - 20 minutes unless the burner needs replacing in which case 30 minutes. Not arduous or difficult.

If it is so straightforward, the follow-up question remains - why won't dealers include a fridge service as part of the annual habitation service?

I suspect many MHs will never have had their gas fridge serviced. To my mind that becomes a safety issue.

 

[Coolcats]

If it is so straightforward, the follow-up question remains - why won't dealers include a fridge service as part of the annual habitation service?

I suspect many MHs will never have had their gas fridge serviced. To my mind that becomes a safety issue.

probably because not all MoHo have a gas fridge so it would be an ‘extra’ a continuous dealer who knew the products they service should be able to price on what they are servicing an A class will be different to a PVC and everything else in between

 

[poppycamper]

Never had a compressor fridge. So can't compare.. always had 3way Dometic fridges.
However i am always surprised to hear the so many negative things people have to say about them.
I have never had a problem with them over the 25years I have been c'vanning and m'homing.
I firmly believe (as I have stated many times on this forum) there is absolutely nothing wrong with them...... It is the appalling way that some manufacturers fit them not understanding the requirements. How many times have you heard members saying that they fit winter covers to vents to stop the draught inside van...There should be no draughts if fridge fitted properly..
How many have checked behind fridge to find a great big space between back of fridge and side of van and the manufactures have not fitted the recommended baffle plate to improve airflow and cooling. Yes sound strange to restrict air flow to improve cooling but it means the air is passing thru the working part of fridge and not scooting up past it.. as hot air rises past baffle it also creates a chimney effect and therefore improves air flow.!!!

 

[tonyidle]

If it is so straightforward, the follow-up question remains - why won't dealers include a fridge service as part of the annual habitation service?

I suspect many MHs will never have had their gas fridge serviced. To my mind that becomes a safety issue.

I suspect they simply ignore Dometic instructions. In some cases it will need the fridge out and I wouldn't want that happening every year. As for safety - there's only flame quality that can be checked so if it's burning blue it's as safe as it can be.

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