CARAVAN FRIDGE REPLACEMENT

We went with a 12 volt only fridge in our van, a with the fridge compartment on the top and freezer under.

Reason for 12 volt only was if you are on power the batteries are getting charged anyway.

We do have 3 105 amp batteries and 3 130 watt solar panels and free or bush camp a lot.

Hi Joy

I am a firm believer in using a 12 volt compressor fridge not a gas electric fridge. The former are power efficient and if you add solar panels, you have a self sufficient and silent power system for refrigeration, lights and pumps.

In our previous camper, we replaced the absorption fridge with a small 12/240 v fridge and ran it from one battery and a portable solar panel.

In changing fridges, the main thing to consider is can you get one of similar dimensions that won't mean major carpentry in the caravan to fit it. We were lucky that for our camper we found one that was identical in dimensions so it slotted straight in.

Hi Joy,
Recently we changed our 3-way fridge to a 12V compressor type, and now wonder why we didn't do this earlier - the compressor fridge is just so much better.
But take caution when selecting a compressor fridge - some can be a bit noisy and may affect your sleep if the fridge is close to you bed.

Cheers, Geoff

Hi Joy
After having used both types of fridge in caravans over many years I would take the compressor fridge any day, and especially if you intend to travel in the summer months or at anytime in the northern parts of Australia.

The only drawback that I have found is the need for battery power. In my case we use 3 x 120ah AGM VRLA batteries coupled to 300 w solar panels. This will run the Vitrifrigo 2 door fridge, TV, Sat decoder, lights, water pump and a diesel heater overnight and maintain the batteries at better than 50%SOC (State Of Charge) on most days, on heavily overcast days I may have to provide some back up to this system (driving or generator) to maintain the batteries in good condition.

If you want good life from your batteries then the closer that they are maintained to a full charge the longer that they will last. Minimum SOC at 80% plus could see 10 years from a good AGM battery whereas constant SOC cycling down to 20% may see battery life as little as 12 months or less from the same batteries.

Another benefit is that the 9kg gas bottle now lasts about 10 weeks (cooking and water heater) compared to around 18 days when free camping, moving most days with the fridge on 12v, and using the gas fridge whilst stopped.

Hope this helps and see you on the road.
Regards
Athol

What model Dometic fridge do you currently have?

The size of sensibility of a compressor fridge is a maximum 160L. If you go over a 160L you will be like every Kedron and Bushtracker owner the first thing they do when they pull up is pull out the generator and start it up.
Once you go over 160L compressor fridge it becomes a real chore to keep the power up to the fridge in winter.