12 volt refrigerator

[Seabass]

Ok guys, I've got a Jayco slide in that is good enough for what I want to do. Everything works on it but the fridge. It has a dometric 3 way. I know I read a thread somewhere about a build where the owner put in a 12 volt only fridge. No propane, no 120v. I have a 150 watt solar system and a pair of deep cycle batteries. Does anyone have any experience with this type of fridge? Oh, and I'm wanting to do a built in style, not an ARB type. I'd like to remove the old dometric and simply replace it. Thanks in advance.

 

[docdave]

Been wondering the same thing.

 

[Herbie]

Lots of folks are doing this. Some RV manufacturers are going compressor fridges exclusively, now.

Over on thesamba.com, there are about 4 dozen Westfalia vans that have converted from the old Dometic 3-way to one of two different sized Truckfridge DC fridges. The smaller one fits with room to spare, the larger requires a little bit of cabinet trimming. The upshot is that even the "smaller" fridge actually hold more food than the old 3-ways because the compressor mechanism is smaller. That was good enough for me, so I fitted a TF-49 into a custom cabinet in my van. It uses the same Danfoss compressor as the ARB/Engel/etc. chest fridges, but in a more space-efficient (for me) vertical configuration.

I've been running mine for about a year and a LOVE it. A single 100AH house battery gets me 2+ days comfortably, and if I'm able to deploy my solar panel well, power basically becomes a non-issue. With two good deep-cycles and a 150W solar array, you'll be golden.

I got mine from Westyventures, they were a little bit cheaper after shipping, etc. and the customer service was top-notch.

 

[Darwin]

I used a Novacool 12 volt only compressor fridge in my Northstar to replace the 3 way. It uses about 4 amps when running and zero when it's not. Works about a thousand times better than the propane fridge that came with the camper. I do have 2 6 volts at 220 amps total and 250 watt solar panel.

 

[IdaSHO]

We love our Waeco/Dometic

Model we are running is CR-1065

With 200 watts of solar, and 200AH of battery, it can run indefinitely :ylsmoke:

 

[Motafinga]

Lots of folks are doing this. Some RV manufacturers are going compressor fridges exclusively, now.

Over on thesamba.com, there are about 4 dozen Westfalia vans that have converted from the old Dometic 3-way to one of two different sized Truckfridge DC fridges. The smaller one fits with room to spare, the larger requires a little bit of cabinet trimming. The upshot is that even the "smaller" fridge actually hold more food than the old 3-ways because the compressor mechanism is smaller. That was good enough for me, so I fitted a TF-49 into a custom cabinet in my van. It uses the same Danfoss compressor as the ARB/Engel/etc. chest fridges, but in a more space-efficient (for me) vertical configuration.

I've been running mine for about a year and a LOVE it. A single 100AH house battery gets me 2+ days comfortably, and if I'm able to deploy my solar panel well, power basically becomes a non-issue. With two good deep-cycles and a 150W solar array, you'll be golden.

I got mine from Westyventures, they were a little bit cheaper after shipping, etc. and the customer service was top-notch.

x2 on the Truckfridge which is actually rebadged "Indel B" I bought mine direct from truckfridge site. I got the tf130 to replace my 3 way norcold. Had to trim a 1/4 inch of the cabinet and fits great, works great & WAY more space than the Nocold

 

[CJB]

A question for Darwin re: Northstars. We have an 850SC and I would like to make the same switch you did. How difficult was it to remove the original Dometic from your Adventurer? I seem to remember reading somewhere that the door frame has to be removed to get the thing out of the camper but am not sure that is correct.
Thanks.

 

[elcoyote]

Engel makes a nice front loading unit that draws 2.5 A with their reliable swing compressor

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[craig333]

Love my TF65 (indel B).

My original 100watts of solar was inadequate so upgraded to 250w and 225ah of batteries. Also you may want to add some sort of ventilation. They don't like to get too hot.

 

[IdaSHO]

FYI, the Waeco/Dometic 12VDC units dont require any venting at all.

They are self vented by design, thru the front frame.

 

[pugslyyy]

I have a Dometic 3-way in my Bigfoot. If it ever suffered a catastrophic failure I would seriously look at compressor based options - probably 2 of the Engel built-ins, one to use as a freezer and the other as a fridge. (Freezer space is always the critical item for us on long camping trips)

 

[craig333]

Not at all sure I want all that heat going into my camper. Might be okay in the winter

 

[cchoc]

FYI, the Waeco/Dometic 12VDC units dont require any venting at all.

They are self vented by design, thru the front frame.

I've got a Dometic 65 in my FWC Eagle and it is vented to the outside, I even added a second fan to help dissipate heat. It still sucks power, though. FWC has started using Isotherm fridges instead of Dometic because they use less power. FWIW

 

[IdaSHO]

I've got a Dometic 65 in my FWC Eagle and it is vented to the outside, I even added a second fan to help dissipate heat. It still sucks power, though. FWC has started using Isotherm fridges instead of Dometic because they use less power. FWIW

What model is it specifically? Is it a coolmatic CR-65 ?

If so, it is not designed to be vented to the outside per MFG.

And having additional venting may even be working against you. Id say they are if you honestly thinks it sucks more power than it should.

The units are designed to cool by convection. They draw air in the front, below the fridge, and exhaust it out the front, right above the fridge.

By design, the air passes right across the compressor and cooling components. Additional venting would more than likely disturb this effect.

 

[cchoc]

From the Dometic (Waeco) manual:

"IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL that a refrigerator have adequateventilation. It is not possible to have too much ventilation—moreis better. A refrigerator removes heat from the refrigerated spaceand gives it off from the coils (condenser) on the back of it. Theheat MUST be removed from the rear of the refrigerator or itcannot operate correctly"