FRIDGE LOCATION: BACK? BY DOOR? BY BED? MID SHIPS? NOISE?

Bushtracker · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:25 pm Post subject:

Hello, Mad Scientist here again...

Fridge/Freezer locations.... You would not think it makes much difference would you.. Well it does and here is why.

On Noise: Our new fridge/freezer systems with the Danfoss Compressor drive, are pretty quiet. I have not noticed mine running in the past two vans. When it comes on, there is a soft click, and on a dead still night you might hear it faintly running but I have not noticed mine running in years in the past two vans. Mind you I would not put it up against the bed, but one locker away, at the foot of the bed, like mine is? And you cannot hear it run, or at least do not notice it... The 3 way fridges that have a real performance issue when the weather gets over 30 C, have a string of advertising as if the compressor drive units would keep you from sleeping. That is just grossly misleading. Enough said. Wink

On location: In the very back of the van, there is a bit too much vibration. The front of the van is dampened by the tow vehicle as the van skips down the corrugation. But out on the end of the line, the rear of the van vibrates ad bounces quite a bit. This can break shelves off, and in the extremes can break the high pressure gas lines and such. It is best not to put it in the very back of the van... Some do, but it is against my advice... Shocked

If it is a rear entry door into the van, with the door back of the suspension, some people have opted to put the fridge/freezer just forward of the door. Now, that is a good looking option... On paper.... But in the real world it really closes in the van as you walk in the door and cannot see up into the van until you get past the fridge/freezer.. And it is also a funny feeling, as you hear a noise and cannot see the door to the van hiding behind the fridge... I would not recommend it.

So, where does that leave us? Mid ships, softest place to ride for the fridge is over the suspension or just forward of the suspension. The food stuffs and shelves do not suffer as much, and that is what I would recommend.

And one more thing, in the extremes of travel on the corrugation, get in the habit of getting some of the heavy weight out of the shelves on the door... Leaving them loaded with water bottles and drinks is the best way to break them down in the rougher travel. Lighten tyre pressure, lower speed, and get there later; but that is far better than getting there and having to sort out things that are broken..

Kind Regards, stg

Ftroop · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 9:53 am Post subject:

Steve,
I just can not let this one go by,
I must be one of the few that have a rear fridge, with 165k under her wheeles I think I've got a little experience with a rear fridge.
Not One Problem !!!!
No great debate just no problems no broken eggs, no broken shelfs, no unscrewed jars,no closing in of the van.
Just great.

Graham

Thank you for your comments Graham... However we have had a few high pressure compressor lines breaking, shelves breaking, that sort of thing. It just shows what a good and sensible Driver you are.. 165,000 kms with the fridge at the back is certainly a record.!!! Congratulations... I just have to post the warning the way we see it in our experience. It does not mean that any of you cannot have it...

The closing in of the van is not a problem with the fridge at the back of the van, only when just forward of the door, AT the door. As you walk in you cannot see the rest of the van until you get around it..
But thank you again for your input.. stg