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Compressor fridge

Submitted: Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:44

Member - Marilyn B (WA)

We have received many answers about the pros and cons of compressor versus convection fridges, apart from the cost factor it seems the only question against compressor fridges is the fact that they maybe too noisy in a caravan where you are sleeping right next to them. Can the people who have a compressor fridge installed be kind enough to tell us whether the noise really is a factor (not allowing sleep etc).
ThreadID: 35470 Replies: 9
Views: 2049 FollowUps: 5
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AnswerID: 181479   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:49

Old Scalyback & denny replied:

goodday marilyn
i dont consider our compressor fridge any noisier than the fridge at home and at least if i hear a little bit of noise i know its working

steve
ps i am a light sleeper
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Reply 1 of 9
AnswerID: 181482   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 20:56

Waynepd (NSW) replied:

Hi Marilyn B,
Usually after an active day's camping and sight seeing etc i am too tired when i hit the sack to let the noise of the fridge keep me awake.....

I find the noise reassuring too because it means all systems are go and the beer is cold......:)

Reply 2 of 9
AnswerID: 181489   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 21:37

Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators replied:

We have changed our 3 way to one of our Engel SR90E units and there is no noise problem.

We can hear it slightly but it is very quiet as far as I am concerned.

Big plus is it works all the time even when the van is not level. It is the best upgrade I have done to my van.

Regards Derek.
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Reply 3 of 9
AnswerID: 181495   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 21:53

Motherhen replied:

With our Vitrofrigo, a little while after it has i can sometimes hear a little gurgling noise - otherwise i wouldn't know it was on. The Engel 2 12/240 we put in the previous caravan was audible, but not noisy - but i generally turned it off at night when we were inland as it was cool at night and we only had the portable solar panel which we put out after we'd camped, and one battery.
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Reply 4 of 9
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AnswerID: 181499   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 22:06

Flash replied:

We have a Vitrifrigo 150litre in our van, plus a portable (Evakool).
Noise is never an issue. Don't believe the Dometic ads! Just a very slight fan noise.
As I have said elsewhere, I have had four 3-way fridges but would never ever buy another.
Cheers
Reply 5 of 9
FollowupID: 437831   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 22:23

mattie posted:

Hi

from the 2 people i know personally that own 3 way fridges my compressor fridge would have to be very very loud before it would sway my decision to buy another when it eventually gives up 12yrs and waiting.

Mattie
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 181506   Submitted: Sunday, Jul 02, 2006 at 22:32

Member - Captain (WA) replied:

Hi Marilyn,

I never had a noise problem with our compressor fridge , but the fan on the 240V to 12V battery charger in the van was noticeable (but never enough to sound insulate it).

Interesting to note on all the replys to your different threads, everyone who has swapped from a 3 way to a compressor fridge swears by them, but have yet to read about anyone swapping from a compressor fridge to a 3 way - that in itself speaks volumes IMHO.

Cheers

Captain
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Reply 6 of 9
FollowupID: 437859   Submitted: Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 08:09

Mike Harding posted:

Depends on your requirements. A compressor fridge will perform "as a fridge" more efficiently than a 3 way _BUT_ trying to power a compressor fridge when you have a static camp in the bush for two weeks puts a whole different perspective on the situation. You’ll need batteries, generator/solar panels, maybe a sun tracking system (try a couple of weeks in Vic at the moment – July), a charge controller etc at some _considerable_ cost. Me? I just need a 4kg gas bottle - $8. Horses for courses.

Mike Harding
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 437860   Submitted: Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 08:27

Pajman Pete (SA) posted:

We have both, a Chescold 50 litre 3 way and a Waeco CF. Which one we take depends on a number of factors. A long stop in one location will mean we take the 3 way. Travelling around we take the Waeco. They get about the same use.

The 3 way has let us down only once. We were camped in a caravan park and the daytime temp soared to over 45º for three days. The 3 way still kept things cold, but would not keep them frozen during the day. We bought it when we were in Darwin and it was fine up in the tropics.

Our power options for the Waeco are a bank of 4x35AH batteries with a Solarex 40W panel to keep them going. That is only enough for a 4 day long weekend in summer. We do have a small gennie, nut you can't run them everywhere and we generally will not run it at all if there are other campers around.

If we only keep one, we would keep the 3 way. It has served us well over 16 years.

Pete

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FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 437861   Submitted: Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 08:49

Brian B (QLD) posted:

Hi,

I think it depends on your own situation.

We generally go to places like Fraser and Moreton Islands for extended periods and I got sick of battery charging hassles to run our Waeco fridge.

We now have two 35 litre three way fridges and these work great for us when we stay in one place for a while. I get around a week running the two fridges off one 4.5kg gas bottle.

If we are on the move constantly then we take the Waeco, and it is great in this situation.

One common theme with the 12volt fridges is that you need to be well set up to cater for its power needs. Solar, generators, charging from your car via an Andersen plug all come to mind. I went for the Andersen plug and also a generator to support the deep cycle batteries in our camper trailer and I am not greatly interested in solar at this time.

Horses for courses I think.
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Cheers

Brian
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 181533   Submitted: Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 07:51

GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) replied:

Hi Marilyn

Not sure what sort of space you have available. I'd definately go Compressor. From my experince the Trailblazer is the best money can buy. It has Danfoss 2 speed compressor 12v 240v you can get many differnt configurations. Suppry and spares are readily available.
I had one for 12 years of hard service and have just sold it with the vehicle it was in. Have just ordered another one.

Oh and one thing, we sleep right on top of it in a slide on camper.
BTW tried Engel and found it way too noisy.
On top of all that Trailblazer is Aussie made.
This should give you all the info.

www.norcoast.com.au/trailblaza1.htm

Cheers
GT
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Reply 7 of 9
FollowupID: 437881   Submitted: Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 13:13

Member No 1 posted:

"It has Danfoss 2 speed compressor" oh no it doesnt GT

it is a 12v (or 24v) compressor. It is variable speed compressor depending upon refrigeration duty required.

if the fridge has provision the unit can operate if connected to 240v supply.....the compressor is still 12vdc though

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FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 181542   Submitted: Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 08:31

Alloy c/t replied:

After 2 or 3 nights I doubt that the minimal noise the fridge makes that you would even be aware of it , our normal fridge in the house is "noisy" compared to our Waeco + Engle ,
Reply 8 of 9
AnswerID: 181568   Submitted: Monday, Jul 03, 2006 at 10:43

GJL 13 replied:

I have a Waeco coolmatic the noise is not a problem but the quality of the construction of the unit leaves a lot to be desired, it is only a poorly made toy and definately not suitable for a RV/ caravan
Reply 9 of 9

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