Fridge/electrics advice opinions (1 Viewer)

[Billylyne5]

Well sadly it seems our thetford 3 way fridge is going to need replacing (PCB dying and now obsolete) We are now considering what to do regarding replacement
1-how do we get the old one it as it’s too wide to fit through the door and also new fridge in ?
2-do we just go like for like with a new 3 way (can’t believe how much they are !!!)
3- do we replace with a compressor fridge - that will also mean upgrading current electrics in our 2006 Adria, as we currently do not have solar and just 1 x 110ah gel battery so not sure what we would need to keep the fridge in power and how much work needed re upgrading electrics in the old girl.
Any words of wisdom gratefully received as we don’t want to rush into the wrong decision.
As it is we are not going to get it sorted before we head to Spain in a couple of weeks so we are going to have to restrict our stops to places with EHC which is annoying but not the end of the world.

 

[dunnah01]

Just get the pcb repaired ?

 

[Billylyne5]

The company that repairs them does not do a repair if the fault is the one ours is showing- which is 9 - gas
Unless you know somewhere that does

 

[paddymcc]

Could you get the old fridge out through a window?
As regards compressor Vs absorption unless you are happy to rely on ehu then a compressor fridge will require upgrades to the electrics , probably 2 batteries or a lithium with all that entails.
Part of my reason to upgrading to lithium was to give me the option of a compressor fridge as my 3 way is 2006 vintage like yours and looking at the corrosion at the back of it I can't help thinking it will fall at some point ...

 

[RedFrame]

1) Unless you are very competent, two weeks is too short a timescale to sort everything out for a compressor.
2) Fridge comes out the passenger door, after removing seat(s).
3) Least complicated and cheapest route is to replace like for like.

Cheers
Red.

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[Billylyne5]

1) Unless you are very competent, two weeks is too short a timescale to sort everything out for a compressor.
2) Fridge comes out the passenger door, after removing seat(s).
3) Least complicated and cheapest route is to replace like for like.

Cheers
Red.

Yeah no intention of replacing before we go away, just going to have to manage on electric only.

 

[Peterd82]

Our new motorhome came with a compressor fridge as standard. Not sure how much it takes out of leisure battery as not had it long enough but hope the lithium battery and solar will suffice. One advantage is that I can just turn it on without hookup before going away. Second advantage is that we don’t have to remember to switch power source which we always seemed to forget. Disadvantage so far is that even on the “night” mode setting supposed to make it quiet overnight it wakes us both up. Considering turning it off overnight to sleep, not too much of an issue in the UK !

 

[tonyidle]

Very often removal of the fridge door will allow removal through the habitation door.

 

[Richard n Ann]

If you're going to Spain you don't need to upgrade the battery for a compressor fridge, just get a solar panel.
I converted our fridge to compressor in 2022 and only have 150w panel and 80ah gel battery, works great in the summer

Edit: We don't use a TV or much else to drain the battery, just phones, LED lighting and water pump

 

[Lenny HB]

how do we get the old one it as it’s too wide to fit through the door and also new fridge in ?

Take a front seat out and remove through cab door.

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[Terry]

As others have said through the front passenger door - I usually recline the seat as much as possible - cover/protect seat then 2 person job to get through the door/ new one in
. When time allows I would price up a compressor fridge/freezer depending on the make you may find you can replace and upgrade to lifepo4 / solar for not much more than a Dometic/Thetford FF.

 

[oldiesontour]

A 3 way is not as efficient as a compressor but more versatile...will run for weeks without sun hook up or engine running and usually silent and in your requires no expensive up grades.Now a very good range of fridges from Alpicool a maJor worldwide player in everything fridge industrial ,home,leisure and massively cheaper than the usual names,They can be found direct from their eBay shop,free and rapid delivery good range of sizes

 

[Jabstatt]

Has any one tried Alpicool?

Very interested to see how they perform

Tony

 

[oldiesontour]

Yes 3 way and compressor both basic (no fancy auto switching etc) but keep stuff cold.
Like any 3 way performance wise ( out fan at back for extreme weather,compressor as good as any other

 

[oldiesontour]

Should have added went back to 3 way so we could run a Chinese LG compressor large cool box at -18 as a freezer without needing a lot of sun or driving