Campervan newbie
Discussion
richardxjr said:
We use one of those for transporting stuff in the car (on 12v) whilst the caravan 3-way fridge starts thinking about getting cold (it takes a good whole day and we can't pre-cool it as van sits in a storage barn away from home).
Then it serves as auxiliary beer fridge on mains on site. Works alright in the shade in (most) UK temps ... BUT it is noisy so no use in a van you are trying to sleep in.
We've got the very same and concur 100%Then it serves as auxiliary beer fridge on mains on site. Works alright in the shade in (most) UK temps ... BUT it is noisy so no use in a van you are trying to sleep in.
It serves as an outdoor beer fridge in our awning, but the fan is far too noisy to sleep through inside a van.
ATM said:
Similar to what everyone else has said really. It's a peltier system which is pretty inefficient and noisy. I note that the blurb says it only cools to 16C below ambient so it's not a particularly good one; I've seen some cool to 22C below ambient. But with anything in this club, you need to compromise. Just know what you're compromising on. For example, I used one of those in France at 42C and had 20C beer! If you're not using it in the heat and it makes your battery last longer then go for it but know it's anywhere near as good as a compressor but the compressor will be £300. 
sebdangerfield said:
Similar to what everyone else has said really. It's a peltier system which is pretty inefficient and noisy. I note that the blurb says it only cools to 16C below ambient so it's not a particularly good one; I've seen some cool to 22C below ambient. But with anything in this club, you need to compromise. Just know what you're compromising on. For example, I used one of those in France at 42C and had 20C beer! If you're not using it in the heat and it makes your battery last longer then go for it but know it's anywhere near as good as a compressor but the compressor will be £300.
So how do I find a compressor fridge - I just search for compressor I guess?Are these quiet, cooler and use less leccy?
Alex@POD said:
ATM said:
So how do I find a compressor fridge - I just search for compressor I guess?
Are these quiet, cooler and use less leccy?
Yes, all of the above Are these quiet, cooler and use less leccy?
12v compressor fridge is what you want.
ATM said:
sebdangerfield said:
Similar to what everyone else has said really. It's a peltier system which is pretty inefficient and noisy. I note that the blurb says it only cools to 16C below ambient so it's not a particularly good one; I've seen some cool to 22C below ambient. But with anything in this club, you need to compromise. Just know what you're compromising on. For example, I used one of those in France at 42C and had 20C beer! If you're not using it in the heat and it makes your battery last longer then go for it but know it's anywhere near as good as a compressor but the compressor will be £300.
So how do I find a compressor fridge - I just search for compressor I guess?Are these quiet, cooler and use less leccy?
https://www.justkampers.com/webasto-cruise-eleganc...
I think the problem is that the OP's campervan-not-campervan is a half and half; the above fridge is great but requires it to be permanently sited in the van, with ventilation.
The OP wants to have removeable fixtures and fittings in his (camper)van, so he can easily transform it back to being a (van)van.
The two things are largely incompatible.
He could power the fridge he already has via a tent camping EHU lead, but that would require some way of getting the cable into the van.
Something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eurohike-Mobile-Mains-Gre...
These are intended for tent camping, but I suppose you could dangle one through the driver/passenger window and leave that slightly ajar (which may not be suitable in cold/wet weather), site regulations permitting.
Otherwise I don't think there is a way of getting mains electric into the van without a proper, permanent EHU socket on it, but I get the impression that the OP doesn't want to go down that route.
The OP wants to have removeable fixtures and fittings in his (camper)van, so he can easily transform it back to being a (van)van.
The two things are largely incompatible.
He could power the fridge he already has via a tent camping EHU lead, but that would require some way of getting the cable into the van.
Something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eurohike-Mobile-Mains-Gre...
These are intended for tent camping, but I suppose you could dangle one through the driver/passenger window and leave that slightly ajar (which may not be suitable in cold/wet weather), site regulations permitting.
Otherwise I don't think there is a way of getting mains electric into the van without a proper, permanent EHU socket on it, but I get the impression that the OP doesn't want to go down that route.
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Tuesday 27th September 17:54
PurpleTurtle said:
These are intended for tent camping, but I suppose you could dangle one through the driver/passenger window and leave that slightly ajar (which may not be suitable in cold/wet
I'm happy to pass cables through and I've done this already when charging the batteries. I don't need a window ajar as I can just trap the cord in a closed door seal. So yes I will get one of these round plug mains leads. Not sure I need one with a Fuse Box or consumer board but I guess it can't hurt. Thought about one of these?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dometic-RC1200EGP-Portabl...
We have one for camping that is tee'd off the gas bottle for the cooker.
Uses 12v whilst transporting, use gas when pitched up. We get weeks out of our gas bottle and it really is a very effective cooler, even getting a bit of ice from the sit on ice cube tray thingy
Has been problem free for the last 7 years and wouldn't go anywhere without one now.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dometic-RC1200EGP-Portabl...
We have one for camping that is tee'd off the gas bottle for the cooker.
Uses 12v whilst transporting, use gas when pitched up. We get weeks out of our gas bottle and it really is a very effective cooler, even getting a bit of ice from the sit on ice cube tray thingy
Has been problem free for the last 7 years and wouldn't go anywhere without one now.
Uggers said:
Thought about one of these?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dometic-RC1200EGP-Portabl...
We have one for camping that is tee'd off the gas bottle for the cooker.
Uses 12v whilst transporting, use gas when pitched up. We get weeks out of our gas bottle and it really is a very effective cooler, even getting a bit of ice from the sit on ice cube tray thingy
Has been problem free for the last 7 years and wouldn't go anywhere without one now.
Stalkerhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Dometic-RC1200EGP-Portabl...
We have one for camping that is tee'd off the gas bottle for the cooker.
Uses 12v whilst transporting, use gas when pitched up. We get weeks out of our gas bottle and it really is a very effective cooler, even getting a bit of ice from the sit on ice cube tray thingy
Has been problem free for the last 7 years and wouldn't go anywhere without one now.
That's the exact fridge I have
Currently trying to avoid creating a full on Camper and dont particularly like the idea of having a gas system running in the van. So the only gas might be a little campergaz cooker - for use outside - with a tiny canister.
ATM said:
I'm happy to pass cables through and I've done this already when charging the batteries. I don't need a window ajar as I can just trap the cord in a closed door seal. So yes I will get one of these round plug mains leads. Not sure I need one with a Fuse Box or consumer board but I guess it can't hurt.
On my old GMC day van, I fitted a mains hookup under the rear bumper with a consumer unit and double socket in the van. Simple enough to fit, it didn't cost much and took virtually no space up. Came in very handy for plugging the TV in (had no leisure battery) and for the wife to dry her hair etc. 
Did about 500 miles in the Van last couple days. I'm starting to think its got a sort of misfire. Most noticeable in 4th at around 1600 revs on WOT where it starts to vibrate the whole van. I'm thinking about having it checked by a professional but no idea where to take it. Is it just any mechanic will do or is there such a thing as a Sprinter specialist?
As per previous posts, '3-way' (absorption) fridges/coolers are simply not viable on 12v, they run constantly and only manage a 20° chill below ambient.
12v compressor fridges have come down in price thanks to (presumably Chinese) newcomers to the market. No longer do you have to pay eg 'Dometic' sums in excess of £600 to get one. We bought a 'Dellonda' chest style 50l. dual zone (each zone can be set between +20°C to -20°C independently), it's absolutely brilliant and generally averages 1.5A draw. And it cost around the same as that antiquated old '3-way' in the link above, under £300.
For the record, my only connection to Dellonda is as a delighted customer.
12v compressor fridges have come down in price thanks to (presumably Chinese) newcomers to the market. No longer do you have to pay eg 'Dometic' sums in excess of £600 to get one. We bought a 'Dellonda' chest style 50l. dual zone (each zone can be set between +20°C to -20°C independently), it's absolutely brilliant and generally averages 1.5A draw. And it cost around the same as that antiquated old '3-way' in the link above, under £300.
For the record, my only connection to Dellonda is as a delighted customer.
Edited by TwinKam on Saturday 8th October 23:43
ATM said:
Did about 500 miles in the Van last couple days. I'm starting to think its got a sort of misfire. Most noticeable in 4th at around 1600 revs on WOT where it starts to vibrate the whole van. I'm thinking about having it checked by a professional but no idea where to take it. Is it just any mechanic will do or is there such a thing as a Sprinter specialist?
So I've discussed this problem with a few people in the know and most or all seem to be highlighting the prop as the area for concern. Apparently the bushing can tire and also the UV joint itself which results in the prop flapping around and vibrating the whole van which does make sense. I might try and see if this is a DIY job before wheeling in the professionals. In other news I'm starting to wander if I bought the wrong Van. This was meant to be a working trial which it is but so far I'm beginning to think that my SWB low roof Sprinter is a bit small. I'm not sure how much bigger a MWB would be but I find myself looking at these on ebay and dreaming of a world filled with rainbows and wonderful camping experiences facilitated by having that extra few inches of space. Which does beg the question should I just get a LWB. I'm trying to be sensible for now and stick with the Van I have.
ATM said:
300+ thousand on the clock, bit scary. 
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