FWC 3 way refrigerator upgrade to compressor refrigerator.

[kmcintyre]

Who's swapped out the 3 way refrigerator for a 2 way compressor refrigerator? How difficult is it and what'd brand, etc. did you get? Thanks for any info. Just toying with the idea now that I upgraded my 120Ah Lifepo with a 314Ah. I don't have roof solar but do have the "suit case" solar panels.

I've read the postings via the "search" engine but looking for advice and power consumption numbers (real, not manufacturer numbers).

 

[Jon R]

My 130 liter Isotherm that came in my 2021 Grandby draws about 3 amps when it is running on 12 VDC. In 50 to 70F weather I would say it runs about 25 percent of the time. In hotter weather 80 to 90F it runs about 35 to 40 percent of the time. I don’t have experience with it above 95F. I have not paid attention to parking the fridge side away from the sun, but others say that makes a big difference in hot weather.

It is very quiet when running. However, the first couple of nights on each trip the “ting” of the temperature switch or relay turning it on wakes me up.

I like having a fairly large front loading fridge for fresh food and drinks, but wish for a larger freezer compartment that also could make ice. I would carry more home-precooked frozen food if I could. As it is I carry a big ziplock full of ice cubes for drinks and a few popsicles for my granddaughter, and that’s about all that fits. Someday I may add a portable chest fridge/freezer in the back seat of the truck.

 

[Occidental]

I have not made a switch, but have owned a 3 way (older last camper) and a compressor fridge (latest camper). The old 3 way would never keep up during hot weather, often seeing temps in the 50s on hot days, not safe. The new compressor is much preferred, keeps a good temp and the freezer keeps things frozen. It works best in the 70s or low 80s, too cold and it won't run and the freezer doesn't freeze, too hot and it runs all the time, we park in the shade and no solar wipes out the battery in a couple days. If we drive somewhere theres plenty of juice.

With experience with both I'd never want another 3 way. I've thought a lot about converting the fridge space to a cabinet and using a more efficient 12 V fridge freezer in the truck cab when our fridge gives out.

Interested in what others have to say.

 

[kmcintyre]

I'm trying to also figure out how FWC installs the larger refrig as it looks like there's a cabinet below the refrig, but I don't have that and I think I have the 2.7L (76L) version of the 3-way. I'm going to measure tomorrow and see the dimensions but I'd prefer to have an exact fit in that space (not my luck probably). Also, any downside to adding more insulation if there's room?

 

[FAW3]

Basis: 2018 Hawk with the 130 Isotherm, OEM solar with one 100ah li-ion battery.

Our Isotherm cools well generally, is quiet, and seems to have reasonable efficiency. We can make ice and enjoy ice cream when set to 6 out of 7 on the thermostat dial. Normal setting is 5-5.5. We are satisfied with its performance. In high temperatures and direct sun (over 90+F) I do think it benefits from being "shaded".

The freezer space is smaller than we like. Love to see it doubled in size.

The 130L size is bigger than we need for much of our travels. The 85L would have worked for us 95% of the time.

We typically pre-load the unit a day in advance of departure and use shore power. We try to fill the box at least 70% to reduce empty air space as much as possible.

I have added closed cell 1/2" foam insulation to the entire rear panel with adhesive, leaving the upper corner compressor area open. This seems to help on those very hot days. A good installation I think benefits from good ventilation for the compressor area and additional insulation for the body of the unit.

The primary door latch is ok. The latch strike plate on the body of the unit slides...one position is normal, the other is vent - for storage. The little safety latch is a bit cheesy IMO. Some folks add a "child lock" to the door. Traveling off pavement will teach you how to load and "block" your refrigerated stuff properly so it stays reasonably in place and also remind you to secure the secondary door latch.

 

[Taku]

We use a 65L Truckfridge which is as large as we need to go. Don't know the exact numbers but the draw is low. I installed two footman loops and use a cam strap to keep the door from being stressed when on rough roads. Have heard many stories of fridge doors being forced open and latches broken. I built out our camper and put 1" of foam insulation around the fridge but also made an access panel across the top so I could open it up to clean the cooling unit. After three years and lot's of dusty travel I have yet to see much dust buildup on the fins, but clean out what is there. I also installed an extra vent to the side of the cooling unit (internal to the camper) which likely helps.

 

[Vic Harder]

130 Truckfridge in the last two campers. We added 1/2" rigid insulation around the sides/back of the fridge, both for insulation and also we cut/carved air paths into the foam to guide the air directly onto the very small condenser coils. Power use is consistent with others have said. The temperature is NOT a set and forget though, we monitor both the fridge and freezer temps and adjust as needed. I added a small squirrel fan that lives next to the freezer compartment and blows whenever the compressor is on. A larger (noisy) 75CFM squirrel fan sucks air out of the cooling fins and blows into the camper. I had that noisy fan on a temp sensor stuck to the compressor itself, but it almost always turned on so took the sensor circuit out to keep things simpler. Might add a manual switch.

 

[Conestoga]

We switched to the Isotherm 130 5-6 years ago. It was one of the best things we did. We do have rooftop solar and tend to move every 3-4 days so haven't had a problem with it draining the battery. We do have a portable temperature sensor in the fridge and freezer with the digital reader easy to read from the back door. The temperature stays relatively even, but when traveling in different weather temperatures, it is peace of mind and easy to maintain. Last year we took a 5000 mile, 6 week road trip. Very few days were under 100 degrees and the fridge worked flawlessly. The last few days were spent traveling through the desert in over 100 degree days. Finally resorted to putting a few containers in the fridge with ice cubes to keep temperature down, but considering the weather, we were more than satisfied. The freezer is basically useless except for popsicles or small ice cream bars, but we always keep something in it as it keeps to help level out the temperature of the entire unit.

 

[Taku]

Oh forgot to add that I installed a small computer fan for extra cooling also, but have only used it a few times. Cheap and easy to install though.

 

[craig333]

I'm not convinced insulation is a good thing. Need to get the heat out of that thing. Before I added the upper vent and fan I could feel the heat coming in through the top inside the camper. Insulating the top would have just kept that heat in the fridge. Need to make sure you can let in air too, not just exhaust it. I don't ever change the temp on my Truckfridge. I set it on 3 and the temp never budges.

 

[Smokecreek1]

Yep-=best thing I ever did was make the switch! I was a little tight in the left rear position (view from rear of camper), hard to mount things on the outside left rear, but it worked out; no new isolation, I wanted to keep the air flow open and push power cords under it and to the outside.
Smoke