Batteries are typically the single most expensive component in your build, so it’s important to choose the heart of your electrical system wisely. Shop Batteries Unfortunately, the name of this fridge is misleading. Although it is lablled as a “2 way fridge”, don’t be fooled! It is actually an absorption fridge .

An inverter will draw the 12V DC power from your leisure batteries and convert it into 230V AC power. This conversion process isn’t perfectly efficient, so you’ll end up having to draw extra power from your battery bank to compensate. Even good-quality inverters will continually draw a small amount of power, even when the fridge compressor isn’t running. Finally, the CFX fridge can be integrated into your campervan to save space. To keep it stashed away when you don’t need it, you could build it into a pull-out drawer or under a seat with a lifting lid.Campervan electrical systems can be confusing. There are so many options that it’s easy to spend days researching and still not feel confident. Our service makes off-grid energy simple. If you plan on using your portable cooler frequently, the Alpicool fridge freezer has some handy features that you’ll appreciate. 1. Battery Protection for Your Vehicle:

Regardless of these advantages, the big unanswered question is: how much power do they use ? Vitrifrigo hasn’t published any specs to tell us how many Amp hours their fridges draw. As a result, you won’t know how much power they use until you buy one and wire it up. Small domestic fridges are often much cheaper than 12V camper fridges, but can they be installed in a campervan? Technically, they can, but there’s a few reasons why we’d strongly recommend against this. Plus, this model comes in 3 different sizes, so you can choose the size that fits your vehicle and needs best . For example, the smallest version (the 35L) can fit 36 cans of soda. If you’re trying to keep your campervan really basic, you could get by without a campervan fridge. In cool weather, you could rely on a coolbox or just the cold spaces in your cupboards. However, if you want to explore off-grid for multiple days in a row, a proper camper fridge will let you store food for longer and give you the flexibility to cook tasty food from fresh ingredients. Having said that, both models have a significant difference in wattage. The 80 Liter Costway uses 85 watts vs Alpicool’s 45 watts. You probably expected this variance in power consumption, due to the size difference. More Answers to Questions About the Alpicool Fridge/Freezer:All system accessories should be sized according to your system requirements to ensure your electrical system is safe, functional and cost effective. Shop Accessories In terms of power consumption, domestic fridges are actually becoming more and more efficient. In fact, many small fridges will have a similar power consumption to that of a campervan fridge. However, domestic fridges need 230V AC power to run, so if you want to keep the fridge running when you’re off-grid, you’ll need a large battery bank and an inverter . This big list of pros already highlights how compressor fridges are more effective and efficient than absorption fridges. Even when we consider the cons in this list, it turns out they aren’t too significant.

Secondly, compressor fridges do use up power from your battery bank, but if you also have a solar panel , you’ll find that these two systems work hand in hand. For instance, when it’s hot outside, your fridge needs to work harder to stay cool. But incidentally, there will be plenty of solar power to keep it running. Similarly, when you’re short of solar power because the sun’s not shining, your fridge won’t need to work as hard because it’s cooler outside. Alpicool fridges also have another pitfall: most models will take 24hrs to get down to temperature. During this time, the compressor will draw loads of power from your leisure battery (160Ah in the case of the T50). And you’ll have to remember to turn on your fridge the day before you leave. STORAGE SPACE:Exterior Size 28.5"x14.2"x18", 53 Quart(50 Liter) capacity ,fits 59 x 12ozs cans of Cola. When you first start googling ‘campervan fridge’, you’ll come across the terms compressor , absorption , 2 way and 3 way . This mix and match of terms can get a bit confusing. These Dometic fridges use very little power in comparison to the cheaper brands we mentioned above. For example, the CRX 50 will use around 29Ah per day at an ambient temperature of 25 oC. With a decent battery bank and solar power, this level of energy consumption is easily sustainable, even when you’re off-grid.For safe food storage and maximum shelf life, a fridge temp of 8 o C or colder is usually recommended . Based on the 16 oC temperature difference, your food would be too warm if the temperature outside is anything over 25 oC! Yes, you can put a domestic fridge in a campervan. However, a 230V fridge will draw lots of power from your battery bank when you’re off-grid, and parts may fail early due to vibration. A 12V fridge designed for campervan use will be lighter, smaller, and more efficient. Will a 12V fridge drain a campervan battery? The Dometic CFX is a small, compact fridge which can be integrated into your campervan build but is also portable and easy to carry. It looks a bit like a coolbox, with carry handles and a robust design, but it’s more efficient and can reach much lower temperatures. To begin with, you should know that ‘2 way’ is just another name for a compressor fridge. Similarly, ‘3 way’ is another name for an absorption fridge. We’ve said it already, but the CRX fridges are a really versatile choice. With a small divider, a compact freezer space is created at the top of the fridge.

The difference between a compressor and an absorption fridge is in the way they turn the refrigerant from vapour into liquid: FREEZES WITHOUT ICE: -4°F(-20°C) to 50°F(10°C) powerful chilling performance.You can adjust the temperature be a fridge for left zone and freezer for right zone. Run great with your small solar system as well.

Some fridges won’t be able to get cold enough in warm weather. More on this later. What’s important to you?