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Ice box vs 3-way fridge?

Four wheel camper Ice box conversion 3-way refrigerator

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#1 WanderingSoul

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Posted 22 June 2019 - 09:44 PM

We just bought a 2003 Four Wheel Hawk and are considering converting the ice box to a three way fridge. We've never used an ice box before, nor have we ever contemplated a conversion like this. Is this project a good idea? We'd appreciate any knowledge or insights y'all might have!
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#2 longhorn1

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Posted 22 June 2019 - 10:16 PM

We just bought a 2003 Four Wheel Hawk and are considering converting the ice box to a three way fridge. We've never used an ice box before, nor have we ever contemplated a conversion like this. Is this project a good idea? We'd appreciate any knowledge or insights y'all might have!

2 batteries, solar, and a compressor fridge. I wouldn't consider a 3-way fridge. Depends on where you live and where you go camping. My 2-cents

Edited by longhorn1, 22 June 2019 - 10:17 PM.

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#3 billharr

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Posted 22 June 2019 - 10:28 PM

2 batteries, solar, and a compressor fridge. I wouldn't consider a 3-way fridge. Depends on where you live and where you go camping. My 2-cents

+1  Love my Compressor fridge. 


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#4 larryqp

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Posted 22 June 2019 - 11:59 PM

I would camp with the ice box a few times, research the threads on this forum regarding compressor refrigerators vs compressor refrigerators.

 

But as the two previous posts stated. I have a Dometic 65 refrigerator / freezer compressor cooler style unit, with 175 watts of solar, 2 x 100 amp Hr AGM 12 v batteries and I am a happy camper.

 

If you only camp 2 or 3 days at a time, the ice box may work.

 

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#5 BillTheHiker

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Posted 23 June 2019 - 12:41 AM

When I was only doing short trips I used a Coleman ice chest because I have the shell model without even a built-in ice box. That was OK until I did long trips and found it too  much of a hassle. And it was difficult finding  block ice so that made it worse. I got the smallest compressor type I could find, an 18 litre Indel B[sold in US by TruckFridge] and a 100 watt solar panel. I have a single 75 AH  AGM battery and this system can run the fridge for three days,without driving to charge the battery, in warm, but not hot weather. I feel it is the best camping gear I ever purchased, other than the beer.


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#6 Espresso

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Posted 23 June 2019 - 12:50 AM

My propane fridge runs forever with no concerns about battery life or camping in a spot with enough sun on the solar panels.  I run on 110v at home before I leave, 12v when I'm driving and propane when I arrive at the campsite.  I don't camp in extremely hot weather; most of my trips are to the California coast or the Sierra. 

 

That said, I know very little about the compressor refrigerators other than the people who have them tend to like them.


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#7 Backroad Joe

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Posted 23 June 2019 - 02:37 AM

Yup, 3-way is great. When boondocking the propane heat source is not much bigger than a pilot light. Likely go a month or two on a propane tank. And it makes ice for my cocktails!


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#8 Argonaut20

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Posted 23 June 2019 - 03:52 AM

You may find that the Hawk has the wiring and plugged gas line for a 3 way fridge. You have to vent them in the side of the camper which is pretty easy using a multi tool to cut the side of the camper for the vent install (upper and lower vents). Dometic has a size chart which allows you to pick the fridge that will fit your camper. Shop around for the fridge (I've had good luck with Adventure RV as a source) including ebay.

 

If you decide to go the compressor route, if there is wiring for a fridge already installed, it will likely serve for a compressor fridge as well. I don't know that you would have to vent a compressor fridge, but they do produce heat.

 

I have used 3 way fridges for years and like them. I chose to put one in my 2002 Eagle when I renovated it. The only thing you have to watch is leaving them on 12V when you are on battery  power. It can suck the battery to zero power pretty quickly.


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#9 Andy Douglass

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Posted 23 June 2019 - 04:01 AM

We have the big Isotherm 130 compressor fridge, 160 watt roof panel (Overland Solar) and dual 6 volt batteries, and a 220 amp alternator in the truck. We don't sit in one place for more than a few days, but we never have any issues with power. I've always heard the 3 ways don't like to run unless level. We went camping with some friends who had a new travel trailer (they were the original buyers, and it was a few years old but had barely been used). They could not get their fridge running on propane.

 

Growing up, we lived in a remote cabin for a while that had no power. We relied on two old Servel propane fridges, and they were great. I like the idea of propane, but we got nervous about all the complaints so we went with the compressor fridge in our Hawk.


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#10 cwdtmmrs

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Posted 23 June 2019 - 06:41 AM

2 batteries, solar and battery monitors, controllers, etc. for a compressor fridge. Not worth it to me. I wouldn't trade my 3 way fridge. There are things you must do to make them work correctly. The installations from the factory are horrible.


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