Refrigerator for your next Bus Conversion?

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · July 23, 2024, 01:42:34 PM

If you were to convert another bus from scratch, would you install a 3-way refrigerator (12V, 120V, Propane) or something else? With more and more people switching to Solar and Lithium Batteries and more efficient refrigerators coming on the market every year, would this make a difference in your decision?

dtcerrato · July 23, 2024, 03:09:49 PM

We know quite a few busnuts switching from LP to electric especially when the high dollar absorption fridge needs replacement. Personally we like LP/electric combo absorption.

Iceni John · July 23, 2024, 05:15:06 PM

Nothing beats the extremely low power consumption of a small chest freezer running as a fridge (using an external thermostat). Australian off-gridders have been using them for decades, so they're nothing new. I'll probably have two such freezers, one as a freezer and the other as a fridger. I just have to work out how to have them both powered by one inverter: I'm looking for a priority relay system that will prevent both trying to start at the same time, but so far I've not found any US-voltage ones available.

John

dtcerrato · July 23, 2024, 07:10:59 PM

I didn't mention that we have a small chest type fridge/freezer in the belly bay next to my tool chest. It runs on 120 VAC or 12 VDC. It has it's own built in inverter. Wifey's large 1 gal+ tub of ice cream and other FFs are froze below and my 8 Corona tall bottles lay across the top just above frozen next to the lime.

Glennman · July 23, 2024, 08:14:39 PM

I have the 10 cu ft Magic Chef electric. It is kind of small, so if need be, I can add a small unit in one of the bays. However, this fridge can run almost perpetually on my solar and 800 AH battery system with no problems, even if the bus AC is left off and inside gets to 100 plus degrees. I have it built in with about 1" of space around it (it's mostly open at the top). I had a lot of people say it was too tight and wouldn't get enough ventilation, but it has worked well for some time now. I would do the same thing all over again.

windtrader · July 23, 2024, 08:29:05 PM

I have plans to go with a 10 cf small electric. Currently, a 3 way absorption that gulps electricity .I can do it but it is a significant daily draw at around 4000 watts

peterbylt · July 24, 2024, 08:12:31 AM

When I was first designing/Building the Bus, I planned on an all-electric coach.

Once I also decided on a relatively robust solar system I did the research and found what I thought was a big enough residential Refrigerator (that the wife approved of) with good reviews that used a small amount of electricity.

We decided on the Whirlpool WRT111SFDM it has worked very good for us and uses a small enough amount of electricity we could go for days without charging, but on a good solar day running the refrigerator, lights and other essentials we are completely charged to 100% within an hour of sunrise.

Would definitely use the same setup again.

The WRT111SFDM has been discontinued, looks like the replacement is the WRT112CZJZ a little larger and uses a little more electricity.

Peter

windtrader · July 24, 2024, 09:56:12 PM

great report peter. I'm still along the same path to being fully off-grid with a decent buffer of stored energy. i've got too many elec hogs to shoot first.

richard5933 · July 24, 2024, 11:02:48 PM

We had a Vitrifrigo 12vdc compressor fridge in the 4108. In our current Airstream we have a conventional LP/120vac fridge.

Between the two there is no comparison - the 12vdc compressor fridge winds hands down.

With the ease of installing rooftop solar and lithium batteries nowadays, a 12vdc compressor fridge can just keep operating on its own with no added fuel. The only thing that would limit your ability to stay out in the woods would be water.

Same could be done using a small household fridge and an inverter, but the 12vdc marine fridges are designed to take the abuse of being on the go and they're more efficient to boot.

My opinion - YMMV.

freds · July 25, 2024, 10:06:09 AM

When I got my bus it already had a LP/electric combo absorption refrigerator/freezer built in.

I converted it to 12V DC with a kit from:

https://jc-refrigeration.com

That plus the solar on my bus works very well.

They also sell a separate DC compressor, that you could probably convert a regular refrigerator to DC power with.

https://jc-refrigeration.com/product/12v-24v-dc-refrig-compressor-fridge-freezer-rv-marine-solar-qdzh65g-r134a-free-shipping/

chessie4905 · July 26, 2024, 05:57:21 PM

We had a tt for our All summer Western US and Alaska trip the following summer. It had a 110- propane refrigerator. Even in Ca., Az, NM etc, it kept everything nice and cold and frozen in freezer. Some days we hit 106, several in high nineties, and never stressed it. May go to one in my 4905. Never impressed with 12volt-110 models. Always trying several tricks to get it cold in hot weather.

windtrader · July 26, 2024, 07:34:35 PM

Quote from: richard5933 on July 24, 2024, 11:02:48 PM
Between the two there is no comparison - the 12vdc compressor fridge winds hands down.

Same could be done using a small household fridge and an inverter, but the 12vdc marine fridges are designed to take the abuse of being on the go and they're more efficient to boot.

Some benefits of 12v except the price. My impression is they are in the 1k range and smaller capacity.

The big box stores carry 10 cf efficient, compressor units for $350; 50% more capacity and a third the cost.

As the inverter in my bus is on 24/7, even when parked, pulling AC power is a non issue.

@Fred
I looked these over but the conversion kits cost more and no added capacity. Mine is around 7cf and the small household units are around 10cf, 50% more.

@Cheese - I have nothing against propane except the amount of fuel required to keep it running cold. Other than the refrigerator, we use the stove for very little time each day, so the vast consumption is the refrigerator. It consumes a portable tank every two weeks. Since we boondock, having to get refills is a PIA.

richard5933 · July 26, 2024, 08:21:11 PM

It would be interesting to see someone convert a propane fridge to run on diesel. The Amish have refrigerators which use kerosene lanterns to create the heat source, so it shouldn't be technically difficult to do. Since the buses carry a rather large diesel supply and many are trying to get away from propane, converting the burner to use diesel seems like a good idea.

Jim Blackwood · July 28, 2024, 06:14:25 AM

I could be wrong but I don't think diesel is going to burn very cleanly in an open flame, which is what the fridge would need.

Jim

richard5933 · July 28, 2024, 07:57:33 PM

Quote from: Jim Blackwood on July 28, 2024, 06:14:25 AM
I could be wrong but I don't think diesel is going to burn very cleanly in an open flame, which is what the fridge would need.

Jim

Seems like they've got that worked out well enough to use diesel fuel to power air heaters and cook tops, so why not a fridge? It vents to the outside.