Fridge Performance

[cpaharley2008]

So, is there any recent, definitive news from Reace on improving the existing refrigerators? While I realize that summer is a ways off, it seems like considerable time has passed since this issue was acknowledged. Just wondering ...

Now that we have trashed the king's english, can we get back on topic, hopefully someone from Escape Inc will respond soon........Zardoz and inquiring minds want to know.....

 

[Jubal]

Back to the top and hopefully for some sense of recourse.

 

[Oregonian-ESC]

The dormant entrepreneur in me is screaming that there is big money to be made by providing the RV community with a fridge that actually works!

 

[J Mac]

The dormant entrepreneur in me is screaming that there is big money to be made by providing the RV community with a fridge that actually works!

Well then, there you go! You've got something to do today. Let us know when we can drop by and pick one up!!

 

[Oregonian-ESC]

I'll get right on it, I've got one kiddo home sick today so at least I'll have help!

 

[JPCAR-ESC]

The dormant entrepreneur in me is screaming that there is big money to be made by providing the RV community with a fridge that actually works!

Historically, absorptive type refrigerators have been standard in RVs. While this technology is widely used, RV blogs/forums are filled with threads complaining about problems. If your RV objectives are a large fridge and freezer size, low energy consumption, reliable performance, quick cool down, with consistent temperature while being safer to operate, more RVers are installing a compressor cooling design with a seperate lower freezer door. Additionally, they aren't so sensitive to the angle of the RV when parked.

 

[rbryan4]

Historically, absorptive type refrigerators have been standard in RVs. While this technology is widely used, RV blogs/forums are filled with threads complaining about problems. If your RV objectives are a large fridge and freezer size, low energy consumption, reliable performance, quick cool down, with consistent temperature while being safer to operate, more RVers are installing a compressor cooling design with a seperate lower freezer door. Additionally, they aren't so sensitive to the angle of the RV when parked.

Only caveat: lots of solar. Absorption isn't used in RVs because it's the best. It's used because of propane.

If you want a pretty comprehensive thread on what it takes to switch to a compressor based fridge, and the solar needed to make it practical, I'd suggest checking out Steve's thread on his NovaKool installation.

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8/nova-kool-rfu-8320-refrigerator-installation-4741.html

This subject has been analyzed and re-analyzed, but the bottom line is that with the technology that is currently available and practical, you need to produce adequate electrical power and go to substantial expense to switch to compressor refrigeration.

 

[jamie beers]

Spoke with Reace yesterday. He's still waiting to receive the newly designed door for testing.

 

[JPCAR-ESC]

Only caveat: lots of solar. Absorption isn't used in RVs because it's the best. It's used because of propane.
...you need to produce adequate electrical power and go to substantial expense to switch to compressor refrigeration.

Asolutely true, however the cost to design it into the initial build while still more expensive than a propane design/build is not that substantial when you consider all the systems on board that may also be redesigned in the process...And you not only end up with something that works, but is also less expensive and safer to operate.

 

[rbryan4]

Asolutely true, however the cost to design it into the initial build while still more expensive than a propane design/build is not that substantial when you consider all the systems on board that may also be redesigned in the process...And you not only end up with something that works, but is also less expensive and safer to operate.

True enough. But, a compressor fridge as part of the initial build is not done by Escape.

 

[JPCAR-ESC]

True enough. But, a compressor fridge as part of the initial build is not done by Escape.

Unfortunately true...

 

[Jubal]

Spoke with Reace yesterday. He's still waiting to receive the newly designed door for testing.

It is going to take more than a insulated door to solve the insufficient cooling problem. The absorption heat exchange cooling unit capacity is inadequate. Also,the heat exchanger that generates heat (LP, 12V, 120V) for the refrigerant phase change is directly below the heat exchanger that dissipates heat that is absorbed in the refer. Heat rises and decreases the exchange capacity.

 

[singletracker]

The dormant entrepreneur in me is screaming that there is big money to be made by providing the RV community with a fridge that actually works!

In my researching RV's over the last year, I've come to the conclusion that absorption refrigerators are far from universally used. Some RV manufacturers actually recommend compressor refrigerators over absorption types. Sportsmobile, a very well known van conversion company, is but one of those I ran across that takes this approach. Basically, they claim their customers are more satisfied with the performance of the compressor fridges.

Some of the better compressor units appear to be quite frugal with power usage. However, they may require some adjustments (solar) when used off the grid for long periods of time. For many, those adjustments and maybe even a little extra setup cost are well worth the potentially better and more consistent performance.

 

[Rossue2]

Met a camper in Tucson recently who had a newer Hallmark truck camper who swore by his 3.0 cu.ft. compressor refer for performance. On their options list they show them from $400-$1800. They also show battery upgrades from $150-$1,000. Hoping for a magic door at this point as am not keen on toting around 4 6V and two more solar panels.

 

[padlin]

Spoke with Reace yesterday. He's still waiting to receive the newly designed door for testing.

Thanks for passing it along.

 

[gbaglo]

I would not be happy downgrading to a 3 cu.ft. fridge, nor with the extra expense of solar and the batteries to run it. My last choice for a camp spot is an RV parking lot with hookups.

 

[cpaharley2008]

Having owned 2 trailers with 12v compressor refers I do not like them. They are noisy and because they are attached to the trailer once can feel and hear while it is operating. The absorption refer is silent.

 

[singletracker]

Having owned 2 trailers with 12v compressor refers I do not like them. They are noisy and because they are attached to the trailer once can feel and hear while it is operating. The absorption refer is silent.

The reason the absorption refer is silent is that it's not working. Just kidding

 

[gbaglo]

Having owned 2 trailers with 12v compressor refers I do not like them. They are noisy and because they are attached to the trailer once can feel and hear while it is operating. The absorption refer is silent.

I suspect in most RVs that have them, they can't hear or feel the fridge because the generator is running.

 

[Zardoz-ESC]

Spoke with Reace yesterday. He's still waiting to receive the newly designed door for testing.

I must have missed something. Is the door now considered to be the cause of the refrigerator's failure to adequately cool in warm weather?