Dometic Tec Tower (1 Viewer)

[Lenny HB]

Another option is one of these for the garage.

Russell Hobbs RHGWC1B Glass Door Cooler, Black Amazon product ASIN B017IOKN52
By my reckoning, uses only 282 watts per day.

Would keep the 'essentials' cool and could be used for items from the main fridge during very warm periods.

Can anybody see any issues with this?

Venterlation will be a problem, you will be creating heat which needs to be got rid of the unit will not work in an enclosed space, wine will be warm but you will have a nice sauna.

 

[Robert Clark]

Venterlation will be a problem, you will be creating heat which needs to be got rid of the unit will not work in an enclosed space, wine will be warm but you will have a nice sauna.

If it became an issue I could always fit a vent.

 

[JJ]

I know Mr Robert Clack has a brain bigger than a largish garden shed and will probably already thought of this but here goes anyway...

You current fridge fits nicely in the van with correct colour etc. It has an insulated interior.

Have you considered fitting a compressor cooling unit into your existing unit?

They used to stock all the necessary gear at CAK Tanks...

Just wondering


JJ

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[sallylillian]

I think this is an interesting thread Robert, I find the constant babying of my fridge a real pain, monitor this, check that, tell my wife 20 million times about the technical frailty, for a £1900 piece of kit, as Lenny says its about time that these issues were sorted. As OP said Yankee RV fridges are multi power source and the Norcold has its problems, some Yanks rename them Notcold. But I never had a problem. Set on 2 out of 9 with 9 being coldest we had no problem in 40 degree heat, ice maker incorporated and a fridge size to feed a regiment, but the condensers were subject to failure on occasions. When I look at the Dometic stuff its frankly Mickey Mouse by comparison.

 

[Robert Clark]

I know Mr Robert Clack has a brain bigger than a largish garden shed and will probably already thought of this but here goes anyway...

You current fridge fits nicely in the van with correct colour etc. It has an insulated interior.

Have you considered fitting a compressor cooling unit into your existing unit?

They used to stock all the necessary gear at CAK Tanks...

Just wondering


JJ

My limited research suggests that an absorbing fridge can not easily be converted to a compressor fridge.
However I will contact a refrigerator engineer and gain a professional opinion.

 

[DBK]

My suggestion would be to fit one of the larger ones of these (CFX 50 or 95 for example) in the garage. @eddievanbitz has something like this on slide out rails in his RV. We have the little CDF26 in our PVC and it sits between the front seats when we stop. We keep wine, beer and salads in it.
They are designed for mobile use and don't use much power.

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[JJ]

http://products.danfoss.com/product...r-danfoss/secop-direct-current-compressors/#/

I was thinking of removing all the current cooling equipment and just replacing it with a compressor unit only using the cabinet of the existing fridge...

But then I am an Imaginer, a Dreamer, a Lounge Chair Sitter, not a get up and go Doer like you!

JJ

 

[Robert Clark]

http://products.danfoss.com/product...r-danfoss/secop-direct-current-compressors/#/

I was thinking of removing all the current cooling equipment and just replacing it with a compressor unit only using the cabinet of the existing fridge...

But then I am an Imaginer, a Dreamer, a Lounge Chair Sitter, not a get up and go Doer like you!

JJ

I think that the compressor would need to be mounted elsewhere as there would not be sufficient space behind the fridge.

 

[eddie]

Compressor fridges were developed for the marine market where gas is a real safety issue and many boats don't have it because of this

Mains or 'shore power' is out of the question for most boats

That leaves 12 volt compressor fridges. Boats don't have the same payload issues as vans

My last boat had a three way fridge freezer in the galley, a 12 volt and mains freezer in the lazaret, and a 12 volt compressor fridge on the fly bridge

The three way unit worked brilliantly as did the freezer. The compressor fridge did its job keeping already cold beer and wine cold but was by far the least efficient.

Bear in mind the Five large separate battery banks and a huge generator plus the benefit of twin 240 Amp alternators the compressor fridge still needed keeping an eye on, and turn off when not needed.

The appeal I believe outweighs their effectiveness

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[CazPaul]

Could you not have asked the question at time of ordering then you wouldn't have needed the 2 vents on the bodywork if the compressor one was an option.

 

[Robert Clark]

Could you not have asked the question at time of ordering then you wouldn't have needed the 2 vents on the bodywork if the compressor one was an option.

It's still possible to change the order as the van isn't yet in production.

 

[CazPaul]

It's still possible to change the order as the van isn't yet in production.

Well that's the best question to ask then Robert, they fit one at time of build, no messing about for you afterwards, no vents in the side of the van, no extra cost to you, no aftermarket fans, 2 big batteries, some solar, good split charge system and bobs yer grandmother.

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[Robert Clark]

Ok brainboxes (you know who you are)

If a 240v appliance uses 103kw of energy in a year, how many amps per hour will it consume at 12v if run through an inverter?

Guess The Amps

Thank you

 

[eddie]

Ok brainboxes (you know who you are)

If a 240v appliance uses 103kw of energy in a year, how many amps per hour will it consume at 12v if run through an inverter?

Guess The Amps

Thank you

What ambient temperature?

 

[eddie]

Ok brainboxes (you know who you are)

If a 240v appliance uses 103kw of energy in a year, how many amps per hour will it consume at 12v if run through an inverter?

Guess The Amps

Thank you

Also we would need to know the efficiency of the inverter

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[Lenny HB]

429 amps /year, 1.18 amps / day, apparent current true current will be very slightly different.

 

[Robert Clark]

What ambient temperature?

25 deg c

 

[Robert Clark]

Also we would need to know the efficiency of the inverter

It's the Victron 2kw one you fitted for me.
92% efficiency according to their blurb

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[Robert Clark]

429 amps /year, 1.18 amps / day, apparent current true current will be very slightly different.

I worked it out to 1 amp per hour
Guess I messed up somewhere

 

[eddie]

429 amps /year, 1.18 amps / day, apparent current true current will be very slightly different.

103 x 1000 divide 220 = 467.18 amps

So ignoring my flippancy above lol 103Kw divide by 365 divide by 24 is 11.75W so not a lot.

 

[Lenny HB]

My figurers were at 240v at 12v allowing for inverter efficency,.
9,330 amp / year, 25.6 amps / day.

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[eddie]

I worked it out to 1 amp per hour
Guess I messed up somewhere

your right

Your appliance is more likely to be 220 VAC

 

[Robert Clark]

My figurers were at 240v at 12v allowing for inverter efficency,.
9,330 amp / year, 25.6 amps / day.

So my 1 amp per hour was close then ?

 

[Robert Clark]

your right

Your appliance is more likely to be 220 VAC

Yay !
Thanks very much

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[funflair]

I worked it out to 1 amp per hour
Guess I messed up somewhere

I think you are close enough @12volts Robert.

Martin

 

[Robert Clark]

Ok brainboxes ...

Shall we play double or quits?

In a UK summer (sunny day), how many watts of solar panels would be required to maintain this appliance, during a 24 hour period.

 

[Lenny HB]

Ok brainboxes ...

Shall we play double or quits?

In a UK summer (sunny day), how many watts of solar panels would be required to maintain this appliance, during a 24 hour period.

Too many to fit on your roof.
100 watt panel will produce approx 650 watts a day about 40 a/h that's allow for the fact you need 16v input to the regulator to charge a battery not 12.
That is under ideal conditions, so in theory panel would be more than enough but in practice I doubt it.

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[Robert Clark]

Too many to fit on your roof.
100 watt panel will produce approx 650 watts a day about 40 a/h that's allow for the fact you need 16v input to the regulator to charge a battery not 12.
That is under ideal conditions, so in theory panel would be more than enough but in practice I doubt it.

Maybe I could increase the area of the roof?

 

[Lenny HB]

Maybe I could increase the area of the roof?

View attachment 170827

That would improve the look of the new van, you could then add a loft conversion.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Think this would solve the solar problem,
But you may have a problem through the tunnel...

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