RV fridge as freezer?

stand up or sit down...to sink or not to sink...want or got gas...post your Q&A here..........

RV fridge as freezer?

Postby CanuckShooter » Thu Dec 14, 2017 1:21 am

I've come onto a couple old campers and was wondering if I could use one of the fridges as usual...and use another as a freezer in the build I am planning? Do those Dometic RV type fridges get cold enough to use as a freezer?
User avatar
CanuckShooter
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 101
Images: 109
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:05 pm
Location: British Columbia

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby CanuckShooter » Sat Dec 16, 2017 1:39 pm

Did I ask in the wrong section??
User avatar
CanuckShooter
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 101
Images: 109
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:05 pm
Location: British Columbia

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby Esteban » Sat Dec 16, 2017 4:45 pm

Dometic CFX Fridge/Freezers are rated to cool down to a freezing -7F.
Steve - SLO, CA
Esteban
Donating Member
 
Posts: 1684
Images: 15
Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:39 pm
Location: California, San Luis Obispo
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby bdosborn » Sat Dec 16, 2017 5:36 pm

CanuckShooter wrote:I've come onto a couple old campers and was wondering if I could use one of the fridges as usual...and use another as a freezer in the build I am planning? Do those Dometic RV type fridges get cold enough to use as a freezer?


Probably the luck of the draw with what ever fridge you get. Some of the old propane ones work really well and some don't. The one I had didn't even keep the refrigerator at a safe level, so I replaced it with a 12V Tundra fridge. It will reliably get down to freezing at the price of much higher electrical usage.

Bruce
2009 6.5'X11' TTT - Boxcar
All it takes is a speck of faith and a few kilowatts of sweat and grace.
Image
Boxcar Build
aVANger Build
User avatar
bdosborn
Donating Member
 
Posts: 5492
Images: 767
Joined: Wed May 05, 2004 11:10 pm
Location: CO, Littleton
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby MtnDon » Sat Dec 16, 2017 8:36 pm

CanuckShooter wrote:I've come onto a couple old campers and was wondering if I could use one of the fridges as usual...and use another as a freezer in the build I am planning? Do those Dometic RV type fridges get cold enough to use as a freezer?



No, not the std RV fridge.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
User avatar
MtnDon
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2199
Images: 24
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:57 pm
Location: New Mexico
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby John61CT » Sat Dec 16, 2017 9:41 pm

Get the 12V only compressor type.

Engel is the best, but even much cheaper ones are fine, check out CL, look for sales.
John61CT
1000 Club
1000 Club
 
Posts: 1958
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2016 4:36 pm
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby CanuckShooter » Sat Dec 16, 2017 10:58 pm

MtnDon wrote:
CanuckShooter wrote:I've come onto a couple old campers and was wondering if I could use one of the fridges as usual...and use another as a freezer in the build I am planning? Do those Dometic RV type fridges get cold enough to use as a freezer?



No, not the std RV fridge.


That's too bad, could have saved myself some money. Thank you.
User avatar
CanuckShooter
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 101
Images: 109
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:05 pm
Location: British Columbia
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby CanuckShooter » Sat Dec 16, 2017 11:09 pm

Esteban wrote:Dometic CFX Fridge/Freezers are rated to cool down to a freezing -7F.


I've looked at that type here in Canada, and they are very expensive. I already bought a brand new 3 way fridge, but as we are almost always boon docking having more freezer capacity would be a bonus for us.

I found this type which would work when we are out hunting and no 110 is available.

https://bensdiscountsupply.com/unique-2 ... 2-sm-grey/

The more I look, the more a small electric freezer and a small generator may be the way to go.
User avatar
CanuckShooter
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 101
Images: 109
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:05 pm
Location: British Columbia
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby Esteban » Sun Dec 17, 2017 3:58 am

CanuckShooter wrote:
Esteban wrote:Dometic CFX Fridge/Freezers are rated to cool down to a freezing -7F.


I've looked at that type here in Canada, and they are very expensive. I already bought a brand new 3 way fridge, but as we are almost always boon docking having more freezer capacity would be a bonus for us.

I found this type which would work when we are out hunting and no 110 is available.

https://bensdiscountsupply.com/unique-2 ... 2-sm-grey/

The more I look, the more a small electric freezer and a small generator may be the way to go.


truckfridge.com or northernfridge.ca sell fridge/freezers that may meet your needs more affordably.
Steve - SLO, CA
Esteban
Donating Member
 
Posts: 1684
Images: 15
Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:39 pm
Location: California, San Luis Obispo
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby John61CT » Sun Dec 17, 2017 9:59 am

3-way fridges are for powered campsites, the 12V side is only for use while driving, too horribly inefficient for use off batteries.
John61CT
1000 Club
1000 Club
 
Posts: 1958
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2016 4:36 pm
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby Esteban » Sun Dec 17, 2017 3:29 pm

John61CT wrote:3-way fridges are for powered campsites, the 12V side is only for use while driving, too horribly inefficient for use off batteries.

:thumbsup: Solar power, stored in a battery to use when needed, can be sufficient to power an AC/DC fridge/freezer.

My teardrop will have a 160 watt 12 volt solar panel installed on the roof, a mppt solar charger, a group 31 AGM battery, and an AC/DC fridge/freezer. Most likely I'll buy a Dometic CFX-50US CoolFreeze or a Domeic CFX-40US CoolFreeze. The teardrop will also have a 30 amp shore power inlet, a PD4045 power center, all LED lighting, and a 7-way trailer connector so the tow vehicle can provide DC power to charge the teardrop's battery while driving.

It's kind of a belt and suspenders electrical set-up that should work under almost any foreseeable conditions, other than a Zombie Apocalypse.

:thumbdown: I do not plan to use or buy a generator.
Steve - SLO, CA
Esteban
Donating Member
 
Posts: 1684
Images: 15
Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:39 pm
Location: California, San Luis Obispo
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby MtnDon » Sun Dec 17, 2017 7:01 pm

We have the 4.something cu ft truckfridge. Works well.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
User avatar
MtnDon
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2199
Images: 24
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:57 pm
Location: New Mexico
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby MtnDon » Sun Dec 17, 2017 7:03 pm

John61CT wrote:3-way fridges are for powered campsites, the 12V side is only for use while driving, too horribly inefficient for use off batteries.


The last full size RV we had with a Norcold 3 way used 10 amps when the fridge ran on 12 VDC.
Our 6x12 deep vee nose cargo trailer camper conversion... viewtopic.php?f=42&t=58336

We have a small off grid cabin we built ourselves in the NM mountains; small PV solar system; 624 watts PV, Outback CC & inverter/charger ... http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=2335.0
User avatar
MtnDon
2000 Club
2000 Club
 
Posts: 2199
Images: 24
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:57 pm
Location: New Mexico
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby CanuckShooter » Sun Dec 17, 2017 10:10 pm

John61CT wrote:3-way fridges are for powered campsites, the 12V side is only for use while driving, too horribly inefficient for use off batteries.


I use propane on extended hunting trips, and the 12v while travelling, the 110 is for when we have the camper unit parked in the driveway prior to heading out.
User avatar
CanuckShooter
Teardrop Master
 
Posts: 101
Images: 109
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:05 pm
Location: British Columbia
Top

Re: RV fridge as freezer?

Postby John61CT » Sun Dec 17, 2017 11:34 pm

MtnDon wrote:The last full size RV we had with a Norcold 3 way used 10 amps when the fridge ran on 12 VDC.
yes that's huge for solar, an efficient compressor type uses a small fraction of that even when set as a freezer in sweltering conditions.
John61CT
1000 Club
1000 Club
 
Posts: 1958
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2016 4:36 pm
Top

Next

Return to Plumbing & Propane Secrets

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests