The Fridge
After the failure that was the Electrolux 3-way fridge (TL;DR - they suck on battery) we decided to bite the bullet and go for a compressor type - specifically the popular Waeco CRX50 (we wanted CRX65 but no-one had any and Waeco's computer system was in meltdown). We stumped up the extra for the new CRX over the last-generation CR as they are more efficient, and that knocks on to the battery & charging requirements… much like lightening your race car, savings lead to more savings which lead to more savings.
We calculated that, with a modest solar panel & our existing modest 100Ah battery we should be able to keep the beers cold and the lights on for a week, give or take. This was our “worst case”, as usually driving around will replenish the battery daily. However, at events like LeMans, you're parked up unable to drive for days at a time.
The Waeco does make noise (a low hum / vibration) but not too bad, we relocated it to the “foot” end of the bed so it's not right next to our heads when sleeping. That also gave us a new, more spacious cupboard under the sink.
Original and new improved:
Beer cupboard created for easy access and to stop things rolling around:
We then created a cooker-shelf above the fridge:
The Waeco is narrower than the Electrolux but its extra internal depth actually makes it more practical, and it holds a surprising amount of stuff. Being able to lay bottles front-to-rear in it definitely helps.
The Science Part
Waeco specify the fridge will use ~0.25kWh/day (actually 0.26784kWh, roughly 22.5 Ah/day) at 25degC ambient / 5DegC inside the fridge.
Typing in progress!
