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Larger fridge in a duetto

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Post by jennyandpeter Thu Mar 02, 2017 12:01 pm

One of the things we would like in the duetto is a larger fridge, so I have had a look at getting as 12v/ 240v one as the new ones use less than 40w. Getting rid of the gas system means it could be deeper and removing the cupboard underneath means it could be taller. Does anyone use that cupboard? Fridge plus a solar panel system would cost about £800 . Has anyone done this or is it worth keeping original?
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Post by dbroada Thu Mar 02, 2017 12:37 pm

How long do you intend to use the fridge on 12v? Even 40W is over 3A/hr. Admittedly you can replenish on solar but using a "rule of thumb" of 50% use out of a leisure battery that only gives you about 16 hours from a 110 AHr battery. I wouldn't want to use the fridge for more than one day only on 12v.

edit----------------

if you are considering a compressor fridge they don't have a constant duty cycle so ignore the above.

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Post by Gromit Thu Mar 02, 2017 1:31 pm

My immediate reaction is, "Save your money and eat out more often. biggrin  " which has some merit, particularly when abroad as foreign cuisine is a good part of the holiday enjoyment.

If you have room for it a Peltier Effect cool box would be a fraction of the cost, has more or less the same power consumption, and can also be used as a hot box if required. They don't get as cold as a fridge, but the salad stuff and similar bulky items could go in there, releasing space in your existing fridge. Further advantage is it's easily transportable and can be used in the car when you go to the takeway at home, so your "Chinese" stays nice and hot, or for carrying home the frozen stuff from Tesco's..
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Just a thought.
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Post by roger7webster Thu Mar 02, 2017 1:50 pm

I have replaced my 3 way fridge with a Waeco 110 litre compressor fridge. Unit runs for 10 mins every hour on setting No 6 of 7. Freezer temp approx -18c.
Big improvement on the absorbtion unit as the vents were obstucted by the side door when open on warm days say +25c.( poor design really)
I have also fitted a second 110 amp hab battery, 100watt solar panel and a 50amp bat to bat charger.
12volt capacity has not been a problem so far
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Post by Peter Brown Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:07 pm

jennyandpeter wrote:One of the things we would like in the duetto is a larger fridge, so I have had a look at getting as 12v/ 240v one as the new ones use less than 40w. Getting rid of the gas system means it could be deeper and removing the cupboard underneath means it could be taller. Does anyone use that cupboard? Fridge plus a solar panel system would cost about £800 . Has anyone done this or is it worth keeping original?

AS tried a compressor fridge in the Stratford/Dorset models, it was the Achilles heel of a nice little van. In practice you had to have a hook up although I know one van that was given 3 batteries and a 100W panel and would last a couple of days with careful on/off management.

If you add a large compressor fridge and all the hardware needed to operate it for a couple of days, you will have a greatly reduced payload and you will kill any re-sale value of the van.

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Post by roger7webster Thu Mar 02, 2017 5:59 pm

Compressor fridges are now a standard fit in Adria, Dethleff, Rapido and Autocruise panel van conversions.
There may be others.
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Post by biffobear Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:34 am

I have a Weaco cool/freeze box. I think it's the 1800 but not sure basically it's a 12v compressor fridge. I have only used it in hot countries where a trip to the supermarket was out of the question. (About a days drive!) unless you are going to be a long way from civilisation I should try to put off chopping your 'van about and I would certainly keep the a gas option. PS. I have a Battery to Battery charger in my Hymer (hope it's ok to mention Hymers on here:biggrin:) a good bit of kit. (The charger.....the Hymer is ok as well smile! )They do tend to put a bit of a strain on the fan/alternator belt when you first start the engine and the leisure batteries are a bit low so I tend to let the engine idle for 5 mins. before moving off. Anyway, again do think hard about it and what you are trying to achieve.
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Post by jennyandpeter Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:49 am

There is another way of getting a bigger fridge...

 We are looking at Nimbus's Warwick Duo tomorrow.

Thanks for the advice
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Post by Peter Brown Fri Mar 03, 2017 4:15 pm

It looks a nice van

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Post by nimbus Fri Mar 03, 2017 6:29 pm

Thanks Peter. It's is a very nice van, even though I say it myself! In fact the interior is in much the same condition as the day we picked it up in April 2009. I'm looking forward to meeting Jenny and Peter when they come to view tomorrow, and hope that they'll be suitably impressed.

I'll be sorry to leave the motorhoming community, particularly this forum which as provided us with a wealth of information, but age and medical conditions dictates.

We've certainly enjoyed the last 10 years, firstly with our Duetto and then progressing to the Warwick Duo. We've visited places from the extreme SW France, Dordogne, Andorra, Spain and Portugese Algarve that we we wouldn't otherwise have done.

I'm sure that, whoever buys our van, will continue its enjoyment.

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Post by jennyandpeter Sun Mar 05, 2017 5:51 pm

We have purchased a larger fridge, attached to a Warwick duo. more news to follow.
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Post by dbroada Sun Mar 05, 2017 9:16 pm

jennyandpeter wrote:We have purchased a larger fridge, attached to a Warwick duo. more news to follow.
allthumbz hugegrins

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Post by jennyandpeter Sun Mar 12, 2017 8:43 pm

here is the bigger fridge...
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