Autofridge Owners

Submitted: Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 00:20

ThreadID: 30227 Views:2682 Replies:5 FollowUps:3

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mowing

Evening All,
Throwing around a few ideas in regard to transporting the 73 litre Autofridge that we have in the camper trailer. I have seen from other posts that people have put the fridge on the drawbar in a box made for the task (alloy or steel). I like the idea of the fridge going on the drawbar and was considering using a spacecase to house the fridge. The spacecase would be on a frame made of angle iron and then also locked down with those twist locks. You can get spacecases big enough to house the fridge.
The only downside that I can see is ventilation within the box whilst on the move as I understand that these are well sealed.

Any comments ?

Regards

Mark

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Reply By: Rod W - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 10:18

Reply By: Member - Collyn R (WA) - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 11:05

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 11:05

Mark
A couple of thoughts (have owned an Autofridge for about eight years).

The big problem with what you suggest is ventilation. Easier with most fridges as the heat is dissipated from vents. '

As you will be aware (but non-owners may not be) is that when running, Autofridges dissipate the heat from the side panels - and also via the circular top vent. These must be left clear with about 50 mm minimum air gap at the sides with ample air flow. Later Autofridges also have a small computer fan sucking hot air from the top vent.

As you will also be aware however, Autofridges can be used in pump-down mode - where they are run flat out for only an hour or two morning and night - and then switched off (for those unfamiliar with them - the 'cold' is held in holding tanks within cavities in the walls and floor enabling the fridge to stay within a degree or two for the better part of a day).

You could therefore consider housing it so that you run it only whilst camping. It can thus be very well ventilated during this time.

When driving and thus switched off have it closed up. You could even consider insulating those sides and top against 'cold' loss. This could readily be done via hinged heat-insulating doors and/lid.

You would probably need to experiment a bit first but I see no reason why this should not work well. (As a matter of interest I have a thick insulated pad to cover the top of our unit - and this assists quite a bit).

Only other concern though is the weight. That's a heavy fridge to put on the drawbar. Keep it as close inboard as feasible.
Collyn Rivers

AnswerID: 151733

Follow Up By: mowing - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 20:34

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 20:34

Thanks Collyn, The idea of just running it whilst the lid could be opened of the spacecase is what I was thinking. If I run it flat out whilst in this position then that will cover the days requirements and as you know the heat build up only really occurs when the fridge is running flat out to refreeze the eutectic fluid. The space case has the internal dimentions of 1050 x 500 x 625 with the 73 litre having the dimentions of 840 x 480 x 510. From this you can see that the sides will have less than the recommended 30 mill space but their will 115 mill on the height which will be sufficent for the placing of a foam insulation. The lid is the area that will let the heat in as it does not have the eutectic fluid. What have you used as a insulation pad for the top?
When I had the camper made I had a box made up especially for storing a fridge so the A frame has a centre piece 100 x 50 running from the trailer body to the treg hitch which the A frame joins onto and supports. Works quite well. I will note the weight all the same.
We used to rent out the Autofridges as a side business but it was hard for people to get their mind around how they work. Great fridges.

All the best

Mark