Compressor fridges, specifically Alpicool versions

[Bolti]

Have you got 2 thermometers you can put one in the fridge/freezer?

No idea, will delve into it's innards for you tomorrow.

 

[Cush]

Confirmed sizes 485 mm wide, 440mm deep

790 tall?

 

[Bolti]

790 tall?

Still sat in packing will report tomorrow
Edit: it had better be as that is the size of the one I took out.

 

[ManTheVan]

For those with a domestic fridge, daft Q but how do you keep the door shut when in motion? Cabinet latch into the frame? Otherwise the dogs will be happy when an abundance of cheese flies their way when going round a left hander.

I have the same question! Just smiffy, Cush, Bolti, is there some kind of door lock mechanism on these 85 litre fridges?

 

[Boldly]

I have the same question! Just smiffy, Cush, Bolti, is there some kind of door lock mechanism on these 85 litre fridges?

We use a telescopic shower curtain rail to stop things moving forward. And have fitted child proof locks to both doors. Unfortunately the new childproof locks were from a local Chinese shop and the glue is no good!

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

 

[ManTheVan]

We use a telescopic shower curtain rail to stop things moving forward. And have fitted child proof locks to both doors. Unfortunately the new childproof locks were from a local Chinese shop and the glue is no good!

Thanks. So if you’ve had to adapt a shower curtain rail then I take it that the manufacturer hasn’t included a secure door latch to stop the fridge opening when you go around a corner?

 

[herald_400rl]

Thanks. So if you’ve had to adapt a shower curtain rail then I take it that the manufacturer hasn’t included a secure door latch to stop the fridge opening when you go around a corner?

My question was around using a household kitchen fridge, rather than a Dometic/Alpicool/etc. 12v compressor which I imagine will have a locking capability(?).

 

[ManTheVan]

Ah sorry. My confusion, but I’d still like to know if the Alpicool/Ebay fridges actually have a door lock, as I’d probably look to fit a 12v compressor model.

 

[herald_400rl]

Ah sorry. My confusion, but I’d still like to know if the Alpicool/Ebay fridges actually have a door lock, as I’d probably look to fit a 12v compressor model.

I'm on the fence, so still useful info.

On one hand, 12v means no inverter loss so more efficient, on the other I will want an inverter at some point anyway and the price difference means I could get the inverter "for free" by buying the 240v fridge.

 

[Bolti]

So an update
Yes, it does have a catch at the centre of the door depressed by lifting the handle.
Yes it is 790 mm tall.
Consumption is 4.21A. The fridge cooled from ambient temperature to 4 degrees and freezer -17 in less than my coffee break about 30 mins. So far I am well impressed I'd go as far as to say it is better than the Vitrifrigo it is replacing.
Internal depth is 1 cm less.
As to whether it has 2 thermostats it must have to show the individual areas but must be built in as nothing is visible.

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

 

[1967bowesj]

The fridges all have a lock but depending how the fridge is fitted it may be a bit weak, if door drops a bit.
I added the below to ours as the lock is top centre and when fridge is rammed it slipped past the clip.

Lock

 

[gus-lopez]

12v compressor which I imagine will have a locking capability(?).

Yes

Ah sorry. My confusion, but I’d still like to know if the Alpicool/Ebay fridges actually have a door lock, as I’d probably look to fit a 12v compressor model.

Yes ,mine is spring loaded & opened by lifting the handle upwards.

The fridge cooled from ambient temperature to 4 degrees and freezer -17 in less than my coffee break about 30 mins.

I found similar with mine.I was surprised at how quick it cooled

 

[1967bowesj]

Just been out to start ours up, pulling 3.9 - 4.0amps, but usually only running 30% of the time after the initial cool down time

 

[Just smiffy]

I have the same question! Just smiffy, Cush, Bolti, is there some kind of door lock mechanism on these 85 litre fridges?

My compressor fridge does have a catch as in the handle mechanism but it has come open only the once when full and on a sharp corner while driving..

 

[1967bowesj]

My compressor fridge does have a catch as in the handle mechanism but it has come open only the once when full and on a sharp corner while driving..

See post #71 mate, simple but effective and doesnt look to out of place

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

 

[Boldly]

See post #71 mate, simple but effective and doesnt look to out of place

Link won't work for me

 

[Just smiffy]

See post #71 mate, simple but effective and doesnt look to out of place

It was only the once and in circumstances….

 

[herald_400rl]

Link won't work for me

I've cleaned the link up:

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Bolti]

Now that it is insitu and settled down it is now pulling 3.8a when running.
Like all things motorhome related it turned into an engineering challenge. Despite measuring 790mm and the hole being 790mm the front of the fridge would not go in. Had to remove the feet and replace with the feet from the old fridge and now have a small gap at the top .

 

[herald_400rl]

Now that it is insitu and settled down it is now pulling 3.8a when running.
Like all things motorhome related it turned into an engineering challenge. Despite measuring 790mm and the hole being 790mm the front of the fridge would not go in. Had to remove the feet and replace with the feet from the old fridge and now have a small gap at the top .

Put some of those adhesive anti-scratch pad things under the feet to give you more height?

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

 

[1967bowesj]

I've cleaned the link up:

Amazon.co.uk

Cheers, no idea why it didnt work first time round

 

[Bigjohneaton]

Approximately how many amps would a 240 fridge with inverter use per day?

lots compared to 12 volt

 

[Boldly]

lots compared to 12 volt

My new 240v one is pulling 3.9 the same as the 12 v one mentioned on here. That side of the van is in full sun in benidorm.

 

[herald_400rl]

My new 240v one is pulling 3.9 the same as the 12 v one mentioned on here. That side of the van is in full sun in benidorm.

Useful to know, thanks. I would account for inverter loss and assume it'll pull about 3a/hour every hour so 72a a day?

 

[herald_400rl]

My new 240v one is pulling 3.9 the same as the 12 v one mentioned on here. That side of the van is in full sun in benidorm.

Sorry just to clarify, pulling 3.9a from a 12v battery, or pulling 3.9a at 240v??

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

 

[gus-lopez]

My new 240v one is pulling 3.9 the same as the 12 v one mentioned on here. That side of the van is in full sun in benidorm.

that seems a lot for a 240volt?

 

[Boldly]

3.9 amp using a clamp meter on the positive lead to the inverter so includes inverter losses. Runs for less than a third of the time so I expect it will use less than the 40 ah in a day than the old one did.

 

[EuroTrotters]

I looked at one of them but the measurements didn't work

It is a Ningbo Auodan Machinery Company compressor

That is what I have & works well,

As to consumption ,I ran mine on 2 x lead acid that totalled 160Ah for 6 months until I changed a week or so ago to Lithium.Never missed a beat & never any problem with a lack of power.Mind I do have the benefit of sun most days & even on cloudy days just the light is sufficient mainly.

But they have moved away from when they were a cheap make 50 years ago on par with Amstrad,roadstar,etc; & other cheap makers. Now LG ,especially in electronics,TV's are the one to have. + as I posted earlier the compressor has a12 year gtee.

I would be interested to see the terms for that warranty.

I do some work for LG, they offer 10 year inverter warranty. But they will u
Empty your pockets to fit it

 

[ManTheVan]

Bolti, thanks for the info. It’s really helpful.

We also have a Rapido. Did you just use the existing 12v feed for the original fridge to power the new one? We still have the original Dometic 3-way installed.

If you did, have you found that the cables and fuse are big enough to take the initial surge as the compressor kicks in?

 

[Bolti]

Bolti, thanks for the info. It’s really helpful.

We also have a Rapido. Did you just use the existing 12v feed for the original fridge to power the new one? We still have the original Dometic 3-way installed.

If you did, have you found that the cables and fuse are big enough to take the initial surge as the compressor kicks in?

Yes I used the original wiring but my Rapido had a compressor fridge from new. I understand 3 way fridges can run from the leisure batteries. So maybe your wiring is upto the job, it's on a 15 amp fuse in my van. But seek further advice. "I know nothing"

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