Awning fridge?

[GaryB]

We have a cool box for the awning (12V/240V) for keeping drinks cool, but like a lot of them it creates lots of condensation inside and the fan starts to freeze up after a few days. Does anyone use one of the portable fridges that are available, something along the lines of this: https://www.awnings.co.uk/product/t...tr-3-way-absorption-top-loading-refrigerator/

I'm curious as to how they stand up in the heat of summer as there's not much air flow into the awning on a hot day while we're out. They aren't cheap so don't want to spend ££££ on something that's not better than the cool box we currently use.

 

[RogerL]

We have a cool box for the awning (12V/240V) for keeping drinks cool, but like a lot of them it creates lots of condensation inside and the fan starts to freeze up after a few days. Does anyone use one of the portable fridges that are available, something along the lines of this: https://www.awnings.co.uk/product/t...tr-3-way-absorption-top-loading-refrigerator/

I'm curious as to how they stand up in the heat of summer as there's not much air flow into the awning on a hot day while we're out. They aren't cheap so don't want to spend ££££ on something that's not better than the cool box we currently use.

Do you need the multi-fuel capability? If not just buy a domestic table top fridge - you'd need a strap to keep the door shut during transit.

https://ao.com/l/fridges-9019/1-20/29-30/

 

[ProfJohnL]

The box you have shown (and there are several similar products from other manufacturers use the Absorption process to cool the box. This is the same technology a the fridge you probably already have in your caravan. Its near silent, and can use LPG, 12Vdc or 230Vac power to operate. They are distinctly better and able to cool quicker and further than the cool box coolers which use a Peltier chip and a fan.

As with all types of fridges and freezers, their ultimate performance is affected by the ambient temperature of the atmosphere, and the appliance manufacturer should tell you about the optimum temperature range the appliance should work in.

There is a third type of fridge which can be found for mobile camping which uses the same compressor technology as a normal domestic fridge. These are by far the most efficient, can cool the furthest and have a wide ambient working temperature range but due to their size and weight they are not used as frequently in camping or caravanning applications. Roger L's suggestion of the table top wine coolers is good but you must make sure its not a peltier device.

Peltier devices usually have a plastic moulding inside the fridge with a fan inside

The unit you have indicated is be quite a margin better than the peltier cool box. and will be quiet.

 

[GaryB]

Do you need the multi-fuel capability? If not just buy a domestic table top fridge - you'd need a strap to keep the door shut during transit.

https://ao.com/l/fridges-9019/1-20/29-30/

No happy with mains supply only, my only concern with the domestic table top type was their weight but certainly worth considering.

 

[RogerL]

No happy with mains supply only, my only concern with the domestic table top type was their weight but certainly worth considering.

Empty fridges are quite light - it's the beer and wine inside which makes them heavy!

 

[toad a caravan]

For many years when camping in a tent I used a damp towel over any drinks bottles that were stood in a partly filled washing up bowl,,just dampened the towel now again it kept them cooler

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Beer bottles, cans etc straight into a nice bucket of cold water.

 

[Buckman]

The biggest issue with those fridges is that you need to load the fridge into the car, the fill it up. On arrival at destination empty it, off load fridge and fill it up again. We had the Waeco fridge which was brilliant because we were on a seasonal site. Once we started touring, we sold it. The Waeco fridge would keep stuff frozen at the bottom and from about halfway up, the stuff was chilled but not frozen.

 

[Jcloughie]

We have a cool box for the awning (12V/240V) for keeping drinks cool, but like a lot of them it creates lots of condensation inside and the fan starts to freeze up after a few days. Does anyone use one of the portable fridges that are available, something along the lines of this: https://www.awnings.co.uk/product/t...tr-3-way-absorption-top-loading-refrigerator/

I'm curious as to how they stand up in the heat of summer as there's not much air flow into the awning on a hot day while we're out. They aren't cheap so don't want to spend ££££ on something that's not better than the cool box we currently use.

Many versions of this adsorption fridge, we used them in the awning without a problem for years. Silent and more effective than a cool box. Not as effective as a condenser fridge. But you would hear that all through the night.

John

 

[IanB1485]

I bought one which is 60W uncontrolled so built a controller and temperature/battery voltage monitor which controls it down to temp ( about +5 Deg C) and switches off if the battery drops below 12.2 V. when it's hot in the awning I tuck it under the caravan ( behind the draught skirt) as it's a lot cooler under there. just wish if I could figure how to vent the caravans fridge top vent out of the awning.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Many versions of this adsorption fridge, we used them in the awning without a problem for years. Silent and more effective than a cool box. Not as effective as a condenser fridge. But you would hear that all through the night.

John

A couple of typos?

"Adsorption" should be Absorption - which describes the process used by the fridge.

The "condenser" is a physical part of the refrigeration circuit. Its a heat exchanger that gets rid of heat from the refrigerant fluid usually on he outside back of the fridge, causing the refrigerant fluid to phase change from vapour to a liquid by reducing its temperature. This process is common to both Absorption and Compressor type fridges.

I suspect you meant Compressor not condenser.

 

[Kevin M]

Prof, are you an English teacher as well as an expert in all things?
Poor show on picking someone up for typos.

 

[Jcloughie]

A couple of typos?

"Adsorption" should be Absorption - which describes the process used by the fridge.

The "condenser" is a physical part of the refrigeration circuit. Its a heat exchanger that gets rid of heat from the refrigerant fluid usually on he outside back of the fridge, causing the refrigerant fluid to phase change from vapour to a liquid by reducing its temperature. This process is common to both Absorption and Compressor type fridges.

I suspect you meant Compressor not condenser.

You are absolutely right. I think it was past my bed time. 😡🤬

Don’t know how that got through the spell check.

John

 

[toad a caravan]

 

[Jcloughie]

Prof, are you an English teacher as well as an expert in all things?
Poor show on picking someone up for typos.

Normally I would agree with you. But my post was poor and did need clarifying.

John

 

[Beachball]

Beer bottles, cans etc straight into a nice bucket of cold water.

like you we use a collapsible bucket ideal for my lager cans and cider and very cold water

 

[ProfJohnL]

Prof, are you an English teacher as well as an expert in all things?
Poor show on picking someone up for typos.

I don't normally correct typos, but in this case the typos could have given the op the wrong steer on the type of fridge.

 

[Mel]

Prof, are you an English teacher as well as an expert in all things?
Poor show on picking someone up for typos.

Moderator note:
There is a long standing inclusive practice on this forum that no-one is criticised for spelling or grammar. However in this case the Prof was right to gently reinterpret words that could have been misinterpreted. He did so without criticism of the post.
This is also a good time issue a reminder about kindness in posting and the need to refrain from sarcastic posting such as “ an expert in all things”
Thank you

 

[Gafferbill]

No happy with mains supply only, my only concern with the domestic table top type was their weight but certainly worth considering.

......I also found that an absorption refrigerator as fitted to caravans was often unable to cope with keeping food and drink sufficiently cold.

My solution tested over 10 years now, was to buy a 43litre table top freezer.(cost £100)
This uses the compressor principle that has no trouble keeping frozen food frozen or rapidly cooling down drink or food before storing in the caravan refrigerator.
Pre cooling food and drink or ice making in this way vastly improves the performance of the caravan refrigerator.
No need for so much cool drinks storage either as drink cooling takes minutes not hours!

Weight is a factor as is the need for ehu.
Mine sits inside the caravan for transport and use on a disused bottom bunk.
I don't have an awning .