Many caravans have fridges for purposes of storing food and other perishable items, but the disappointing part is that they mostly do not perform as well as intended. There are several reasons for this, like
- They are not being used for the climate they are designed for
- The wiring for it is not adequate
- It is not meant for the amount of things stored. Especially when it is not pre-cooled.
Which is the right fridge?
- Bigger fridges use more energy than smaller one but not proportionally. If it is of similar specifications differing only in size, then it may take about two thirds more energy rather than twice.
- The amount of energy used will differ for different brands, primarily due to thickness and the effectiveness of heat insulation.
- The mechanism of the fridge makes a difference- compressor fridges or gas fridges.
Gas Fridges
They have stationary parts and work when heat is applied to a water ammonia mix in a closed system. Due to pressure, convection and gravity, the fluid circulates and the liquid ammonia results in the cooling effect. This method does not necessarily require electricity; heat from any source applied to the right parts will work. Three methods generally used to provide this heat are
- 12V heating element
- 240 V heating element
- Gas
Advantages and disadvantages of this system
- The first advantage definitely is that, it can work without electricity.
- There aren’t any moving parts
- It is more silent
- The gas consumption can be high
- Can be unsafe to use on gas when vehicle is in motion
- May not be as useful in warmer climates
- If damaged it may be difficult to diagnose, hence also problematic to repair
- It is typically constructed to be larger and heavier to help insulation
Compressor fridges
An oil gas mixture is compressed to a point where the gas turns liquid and actually mixes with the oil. The heat which is produced is released into the air (from behind the fridge). The mixture is then transported to evaporators located within the fridge and rapidly decompresses. The decompression causes the mix to boil & evaporate. The evaporation draws heat and makes the inside of the fridge cooler. The gas then goes back to the compressor and the process starts again.
Advantages and disadvantages of this system
- It comparatively produces less heat
- It operates considerably well in all climates
- Easier to diagnose problems and repair
- Can operate even when the vehicle is moving
- Its more noisy compared to the gas fridges
- It need constant electricity supply
- It is lighter and less tough
- Insulation is not that great
Nowadays there are fridges that use alternate sources of energy like solar. It is totally up to the user to see which kind of fridge it is they need based on the climatic conditions they are likely to be exposed to. Some important points to remember for all refrigerators are:
- They must be placed in well ventilated places. This is especially true for compression systems as they need space to let out the heat produced. It is also important to channel the hot air upwards and outwards to avoid hot air pockets from being trapped.
- One more obvious but important factor is that the fridge should be kept away from direct sunlight.
- You may face leakage of door seals after around 5 years. This can be easily repaired by buying replacements from hardware stores.
When you own a caravan, you are likely to be spending a lot of time on the road. A good refrigerating system can be extremely useful. So think carefully and consider all the options available to you, before making your decision. Click here to get more information on Caravans Fridge.
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