Hi everyone, I'm just wondering what everyone has or recommends between the 218l Waeco fridge and the standard 3way thetford 185l. So I can order and put our journey outback 22.58-1 if needed thanks in advanced for any help
Cheers
Cheers
Hi,Hi everyone, I'm just wondering what everyone has or recommends between the 218l Waeco fridge and the standard 3way thetford 185l. So I can order and put our journey outback 22.58-1 if needed thanks in advanced for any help
Cheers
Hi Mike thanks for the reply the van will have 2*160w solar panles and 2*100 amp battery's from Factory we plan to do 50/50 free camp to CV parks in July we will be away for 5 weeks and in 4-5years we are starting a 12+ months away around oz as we will have this van for a long long time which is why I am trying to get everything I need on it at the factory just because of the weights to have the full 600kg atm hope that helpsHi,
that is an interesting question and the choice will very much depend on your anticipated usage: how much off-grid you intend to do and how long do you want to go away for on a single trip.
In essence, the question is not just a choice between two fridges.
It is more like a choice between:
a three-way fridge and two or more 9kg gas bottles (which will give you about 10days off-grid per bottle, and
a two-way fridge and two or more AGM/Gel batteries, enough solar on the roof to keep the power up to the fridge, possibly a portable solar panel to chase the sun to avoid moving the van around, and possibly a generator in case you get long bouts of no sun. There is also then the possibility of going lithium to keep the weight down.
Just keep in mind that if you add any items after the van leaves the factory, the weight comes off your load allowance.
Another important consideration is whether trips will be done in hot weather. It is worth checking whether each of these fridges is Tropical rated. Two-way fridges will cope better in hot weather.
Three-way fridges are very quiet, two-way fridges have a compressor which can be annoying at night time, especially in the small confines of a van.
A further consideration is that it is more important that a three-way fridge is operated with the van more close to level. This is not as critical with a compressor fridge.
A three-way fridge will draw much more current on 12V than a compressor fridge. Consequently, if you want the fridge to work well on 12V when you are traveling you will have to ensure that the wiring on the tug is adequate. I don't know the model Thetford, but it will continuously draw around 20A on 12V.
Whichever way you go, it would pay to ensure the fridge is installed as per the manufacturer's specifications to ensure they will work efficiently.
I hope this helps
cheers
Mike
Hi @Tucker,Hi Mike thanks for the reply the van will have 2*160w solar panles and 2*100 amp battery's from Factory we plan to do 50/50 free camp to CV parks in July we will be away for 5 weeks and in 4-5years we are starting a 12+ months away around oz as we will have this van for a long long time which is why I am trying to get everything I need on it at the factory just because of the weights to have the full 600kg atm hope that helps
Cheers Lee.
@Tucker Have you considered having a portable fridge? Save the money and buy a fridge to go in your rig.
I was going to tick that compressor fridge option until I found out how much it was worth. Plus upgrading solar panels + batteries to cope with extra load.[/Quote
Hi mate I do already have a Waeco cf40 and a cfx95
What solor and what size and how many battery's do you haveThe thing I hate about getting the Waeco is that Jayco want you to pay $1800 extra to get a cheaper fridge.
Dometic 3 way are about $2500 rrp
Waeco 12v are about $2000 rrp
Why Jayco Why
I swapped my three way out for a compressor last year and it was the best thing I could have done, no more warm fridges after a 10hr drive and I only carry one gas bottle now.
You do hear the hum of the compressor but you get use to it within a hour.
You might not want to know about my solar and battery setup it might scare you off.
I have 400ah of battery and 200w solar plus a 160w portable unit for long trips during winter
But my fridge is a 280lt and I also run a 40lt engel and I have a large inverter for the coffee machine etc.
I have been bush camping a long tiime and have made most mistakes already, I only offer this from previous experiences and offer no offense.
If you use caravan parks every second day you will probably getaway fine, but be aware if you go off grid for more than a couple of days you might have trouble.
If you were to bush camp for extended time sorry to say it but your input and storage will not keep up with your outgoings without some 240v help
You must do the math, amps per hour used V amps generated.
Please realise the figures I use are camp fire estimates ONLY and I always guess high safer than wrong.
40 lt Engel 1.5 amps to 2.0amps per hour running so 40 amps in 24 hours.
95 lt no ideaa dont have one but logic would say perhaps as much as 60 to 80 amps per 24 ?
Compresor fridge 6 to 10 amps when on cycle approx 30 minutes per hour, may be 100 amps per 24 hours
So bush math as much as 200 amps per 24 hours used V solar input from 320w you will not make suficient amps per hour from daylight or store it.
I never bother with lights or pumps as its miniscule in comparison.
In my opinion you will need a gen set and a high output batery charger, high output is so you get fast charge with low run time on genny.
I am happy enough with my 3 way, but is it as good as my compressor NO.
But it is much easier to live with not concerning myself with keeping power up to the compresor , parking in the sun etc.
The 3 way I just feed it a gas bottle every 12 days and it works, so unles your pumping creek or river water you will need to move to find water before you run out of gas.