3 Way Fridges

Hi Numb Thumbs

Consider solar and a compressor fridge if you possibly can - makes life easier and is a lot safer. Heaps of advice on solar power on the forum, and some knowledgeable people who freely give advice. When you read the threads, you will see that we ran a 120 litre or thereabouts upright caravan fridge and lights using just one battery and one 80 w solar panel as a portable and only put out after we stopped with out previous camper.

Motherhen

I can't answer your question on which 3 way but I have not had success with 3ways in FNQ before and now happily run compressor fridges without problems for many years in the same country. There is downsides to the compressor fridge option but they are far outweighed over the positives if you want my opinion.

Cheers, Trevor.

SWMBO has concerns over the "noise' of a compressor fridge. Is this really an issue once it is installed in a van?

The other question is, how much battery capacity and how many watts of solar panel do you need to run a fridge pulling, say, 2.5 Ah. I don't really want to have to park the van in the sun just to keep the batteries charged. I do have an 80W bifold solar panel, but I don't want to leave it out all the time for the less honest people to steal...

Cheers
Numb Thumbs ;))

David,

I believe that the Dometic RM 2355 is T rated (from memory).

Regards,

Jim.

I recently contacted Dometic about T rated fridges and these are the only ones that are T rated

RM2453,RM2455, RM2553, RM2555, RM4601, RM4605, RM4805 & RGE410

I run a 12/240 Volt, 70 Lt fridge/freezer, that draws ~10 Amps, 24/7 on 200 Watts of solar panels.
I believe you will need 2 x 60 watt minimum (120 Watt suitcase) to keep a 90 Lt compressor fridge running under *realistic* conditions :-)

With a 3 way you will need a large gas supply if camped in the bush for long periods of time, if you run out of gas you will have no fridge till it is replaced - unless you run it on 12v which will quickly kill your battery under those conditions.

Sure the initial set-up costs of solar may be expensive, but it's a one off expense and they have no ongoing running costs and the requirement of driving to town for refilling of gas cylinders etc.

Ask how long a 3 way will run on a $36 gas bottle refill ?
Where do you refill the gas bottle when it runs out in the bush anyway?

Maîneÿ . . .

I must say I lean towards a compressor fridge myself, which makes it the Waeco CF110 110litre model. I was thinking 2 x 135 Watt panels flat on the roof, plus my folder as a booster if needed, and 2 x 100 Ah or 120 Ah batteries in the van. I also have a Waeco 40 with a 100 Ah dual battery in the car.

Anyone have a Waeco CF110 in a camper or van?

Cheers
Numb Thumbs