Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way May 02, 2019, 11:53:25 am Wondering whether the current mid-bath fridge is 2-way 110v/propane or 3-way 110v/propane/dc?
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #2 – May 02, 2019, 01:52:51 pm It's on the LD website spec sheet under Interior Coach Features:http://www.lazydaze.com/FEATURES.PDF
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #3 – May 02, 2019, 06:18:06 pm Wonder why LD went with a 2-way fridge, rather than a 3-way fridge?Is there a technical reason?
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #4 – May 02, 2019, 06:32:22 pm I don't see many 3 way 'fridges available. The power requirements to run on 12 VDC requires large gauge wiring, and from what I've heard, doesn't work very well. Propane is still the best choice IMO for underway cooling. Small lightweight inverters can be installed aftermarket to run the refrigerator on 110 VAC. if so desired. There are many threads on this topic if you do a search. RonB
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #5 – May 03, 2019, 08:50:20 am Kit, from reading old posts on this forum...With the 3 way people didn't realize they were on 12v and ran down the batteries too fast.Could have been a combination of things:-- Most people don't have the better battery monitors that tell you % still available and how long you could last at the current usage (still not standard from what I understand),-- Could have been the refrigerator on 12v was a hog (but then people also discuss the furnace being a hog, but maybe both together...),-- Could have been with the standard batteries and standard one solar panel, the battery could not keep up (with fridge or fridge & furnace) in typical conditions,or something else.
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #6 – May 03, 2019, 08:50:58 am PS, from what I have read in other forums, a board has been available to change your 2 way to 3 way if you wanted to do this.
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #7 – May 03, 2019, 12:07:57 pm Our '83 LD had a 3-way. It also had a relay to prevent draining the batteries when the engine was off. The relay contacts fused due to high current, and the batteries drained. Once that was repaired, the alternator belt would slip from the high current needed, particularly at night with lights on too, and that would overheat the alternator and caused multiple failures and replacements over the years. Still, kept addressing and solving these issues, because it was nice to have the fridge cold for day-long drives without the propane on. Most folks would not have put up with the hassle.Now, with our '04, I have a dedicated 850-Watt inverter and transfer switch doing the job, which works well with the beefy alternator. A lot of trouble to do the custom design and installation, but we like the saving in propane on those long drives...Steve
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #8 – May 03, 2019, 02:14:30 pm Absorption refrigerators are not terribly efficient, especially when running on electricity. The standard 6 cu. ft. fridge in most Lazy Dazes draws about 350 watts when running on 120 VAC. Use an inverter to power it from your batteries, and you're drawing 30 amps of 12 VDC. That'll drain your batteries pretty darn quick. The 3-way fridges that used to be installed back in the Eighties were also power hogs when running directly on 12 VDC, as Steve and others have pointed out--and even so, they reportedly did a poor job of cooling in that mode.There is an alternative, although it has its own limitations: a modern 12 VDC compressor refrigerator from a manufacturer such as Vitrifrigo and Novakool typically uses only 4-6 amps of DC power. It doesn't care about being level, and it won't (as far as I know) catch fire, because there are no flammable coolants inside. And I can tell you from experience that propane usage is dramatically reduced when the fridge isn't using any. Considering the nuisance of bringing your rig to a propane dealer for a refill, that's a significant advantage.The minuses are the cost (typically more than an absorption refrigerator) and the power consumption.Yes, 4.6 amps isn't much compared to 30 A for an absorption fridge, but it still adds up in the course of 24 hours. You'll need a decent set of solar panels and batteries to keep one of these going.Compressor fridges aren't for everybody. But the advantages of having what is effectively a solar-powered refrigerator are pretty compelling for somebody like me. I've had these in two rigs now, and I'd never go back to the propane-fired type. (I also have a solar/battery/small fridge setup in my truck, and love having a 24/7 fridge/freezer there.) 1 Likes
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #9 – May 03, 2019, 03:55:21 pm Joan, I think it was her, posted something in the last couple years about the Energy Efficient Refrigerators, Freezers, and Sustainable Living Products -... refrigerators, saying she wanted that for her next refrigerator. It had me drooling (and yup I bookmarked it for our forever rig). They come much bigger (cabinet modifications needed) but use significantly less amps then the models Andy mentioned (which I also just bookmarked).
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #10 – May 03, 2019, 04:35:41 pm I don't recall posting that site; another refrigerator seeker, I think!
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #11 – May 03, 2019, 06:09:23 pm Sorry, that was Judie Ashford who posted about the SunFrost fridge.Though Sue Wilson posted about one back in 2015.Joan - your reputation is so golden you just get credit for all kinds of things - like a magnet you pull credit towards you - lol.
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #12 – May 03, 2019, 06:18:06 pm For an extra $100 LD put in a 3-way for me in 2006 (RM2663). For another $100 they ran a wire from the engine compartment to the refrigerator compartment which I used to run a relay in the 12V heater line. Engine off, heater no work. Fridge on DC when moving.It works perfectly. Even with a dual battery system including lithium I still don't want to handle the power draw of a compressor fridge even tho I'd really like to have one. It is a better system.I could add a third lithium battery but then I'd have to charge it.
Re: Mid-Bath Fridge 2-Way or 3-Way Reply #13 – May 03, 2019, 07:58:39 pm I'm constantly impressed by the depth and breadth of knowledge and wisdom here!