A Delma! Diesel heater or 175L Compressor Fridge ?

[aussichef]

As you know I have posted about a diesel heater in the last week or so.
But I am now weighing up the pro and cons of getting. Diesel heater or getting a compressor 175L fridge. Remembering I live on the road full time. And free camp 95% of the time
I currently have a 150L Dometic AES 3 way. That has a flu fan and a smaller fan in the fridge cabinet itself. And having said that, in hot weather it still doesn't perform as well as I like . In 36C+ temps the fridge temp can be up to 8C and higher. Plus 14L of freezer isn't a great deal of space
I have had my heart (and bones) set on a diesel heater since last winter. Which we spent around Lightning Ridge to Tamworth/Baraba/Manila area of New England N.S.W.
So I've had a price quoted to me for a 175L 12/240v fridge installed for $2200. So do I get the fridge and just go further north? Lol
I'm looking at it in the way, that I have plenty of solar to run a compressor fridge.
I'll be using the fridge 12 months a years. Where the diesel heater will be used only part of the year.
Not sure if I can swing $2200 yet. As only really have enough for the diesel heater and instilation of the heater. But thought I'd get opinions either way.
I haven't spoken to the bride of my thoughts yet. As wanted a good argument to put to her lol
Warren aka aussichef

[ucdailoi]

In winter you will be wishing you had installed the heater...

In summer you will be wishing you had a better fridge.

I think most of us have gone through that process and not come up with an answer...

I installed a heater and keep trying to improve the ventilation and insulation for my fridge...

I suppose what may swing it for you is...

The heater will work with 100% guarantee..... You will love winter camping... Whereas the fridge may disappoint you regardless of what the salesmen say and promise...

[BruceS]

I don't like saying this and I don't wish to name makes of fridges and leave myself open to ..........

The number of people with fridges that just don't seem to cope with the temperature above 35 degrees is a big concern to me. Several have bought brand new ones or good second hand ones (checked over) and still have problems.
One I know of definately is "T" rated. (tropical) and it still suffers in hot conditions.
Surely if they are designed and made to cater for those conditions the should not have to have extra fans, extra insulation & other modification done to ensure they work properly?

Perhaps we can have people submit the name and model of their fridges that do NOT have any problem coping with 42 degrees? (or hot weather in general)

[Chuck]

I'll swing the other way Warren,

The fridge is something you'll need all year round & certainly an effective & efficient one in summer... get the new fridge & just make sure it's installed with sufficient insulation. During the colder months you can still do whatever you have been doing & maybe add another layer of clothing when required - or, as you indicated... head a little further north for those few months.

Beer simply must be cold!

[Wilbor]

Beer simply must be cold!

Yep, enough said

[Swisslulu]

We have a 230L Vitrifrigo compressor fridge that is 7 years old and works a treat. It was 40 degress when we were in Longreach, Windorah etc and we noticed no difference in fridge temperature.

[aussichef]

My 150L . AES Dometic RM 2555 3 way is T rated.
I don't want to start or have the thread go into a 12V verses 3 way fridge debate
( there's enough threads about that as it is lol)
Just wondering which, in my situation you would prefer to get first ?
Warren

[Wilbor]

Fridge

[Craig]

Why don't you have a good look at how you 3 way fridge has been installed. I would have a guess and say it has not been installed IAW the manufacturers instructions. Any slight deviation from those instructions will result in the fridge under performing. It will not achieve the temps you require and it will use more gas trying to bring the temp down.
I have been very happy with our 3 way fridge performance (it is now 12 years old). Most of it's use was in FNQ with high temps. Having said that I will go on to say that over the last two summers here in the West the fridge has struggled. With temps in the mid to high 40's the fridge has worked hard to maintain 6 - 7 degrees. It just won't pull it down any further in temps like that. My choices are heading further south or fitting a compressor fridge. I have looked into fitting a domestic fridge the same as Terry and others are currently running from an inverter. I will have to shift the switchboard in the MH to allow for the height of the fridge but it is half the cost (including the price of a suitable inverter) of a 12 or 24 volt converted fridge (as you have quoted). If you look at doing this you may be able to have both (fridge and heater)? Just a thought.

Craig

[T1 Terry]

I'll throw another spanner in the works. Spend $600 and buy a Fisher & Paykel E249T and you will have a bigger fridge and a bigger freezer that was designed, built and tested to meet Aust Standards testing in 42degC heat soak conditions. My unit a few weeks back worked perfectly with the 2way thermometer reading 46degc sitting on top of the fridge, actually on top of the gap between the 2 fridges, the freezer temp was minus 18degC and the fridge cabinet was 1.5 degC, all running off solar, batteries and a 1000w PSW inverter. The bonus is auto cyclic defrost and frost free freezer. Quite a few of us using 240vac household fridges as motorhome fridges.
You still might be able to afford the heater as well if you buy the fridge on evilbay, my one cost $120 from memory, a quick clean and it's been going 24/7 for around 3 yrs now. The other one, a Fisher & Paykel C250T cost $100 from an auction, it's still going 8 yrs later but it did require a new compressor after spike on the mains destroyed it, it never comes off the inverter now, an expensive lesson learnt.

T1 Terry