Hi, I've recently purchased a bongo - loving it so far, but the cupboard where the fridge / cool box should live (with 12v hook up to leisure battery) is currently empty.
The space in the cupboard is fairly small - 30cm length, 36cm width, 51cm height.
Really struggling to find anything decent that will fit. Does anyone have any ideas?
Ideally would like it to run off 12v when on the road and 240v when at a hookup.
Cool box / Fridge help
Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior
-
- Apprentice Bongonaut
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:03 pm
- g8dhe
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 10266
- Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:06 pm
- Location: Worthing, West Sussex.
- Contact:
Re: Cool box / Fridge help
Welcome aboard!
Its normal to just install a 12v compressor fridge running off the 12v system then if you have EHU as well then that normally includes a charger for running the 12v system and charging the LB when static and connected to EHU.
Be aware the coolboxes are NOT the way to go if your planning more than day trips! Dometic or Vitrifrigo fridges whilst much more expensive will run from the leisure battery for several days or if you have a solar panel / EHU then continuously. See places like https://penguinfrigo.co.uk/ for maintenance and products etc.
I like the Vitrifrigo C42L https://www.vitrifrigo.com/ww/en/c42l-e ... ing-unit_3 as you can put the compressor on a "shelf" above the rear aircon and retain maximum space for the fridge. Otherwise the C39i https://www.vitrifrigo.com/ww/en/c39i-i ... ing-unit_3 but you loose space due to the compressor being within the box.
Its normal to just install a 12v compressor fridge running off the 12v system then if you have EHU as well then that normally includes a charger for running the 12v system and charging the LB when static and connected to EHU.
Be aware the coolboxes are NOT the way to go if your planning more than day trips! Dometic or Vitrifrigo fridges whilst much more expensive will run from the leisure battery for several days or if you have a solar panel / EHU then continuously. See places like https://penguinfrigo.co.uk/ for maintenance and products etc.
I like the Vitrifrigo C42L https://www.vitrifrigo.com/ww/en/c42l-e ... ing-unit_3 as you can put the compressor on a "shelf" above the rear aircon and retain maximum space for the fridge. Otherwise the C39i https://www.vitrifrigo.com/ww/en/c39i-i ... ing-unit_3 but you loose space due to the compressor being within the box.
-
- Bongonaut
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 3:08 pm
- Location: Horfield, Bristol
Re: Cool box / Fridge help
Hi. Sorry, butting in slightly.
Will those 12v fridges run until they drain the leisure battery, or do they usually include some sort of intelligent shut down to protect it? ie switch off when leisure battery down to 50%?
Obviously not an issue if driving or hooked up to AC.
Will those 12v fridges run until they drain the leisure battery, or do they usually include some sort of intelligent shut down to protect it? ie switch off when leisure battery down to 50%?
Obviously not an issue if driving or hooked up to AC.
- g8dhe
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 10266
- Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:06 pm
- Location: Worthing, West Sussex.
- Contact:
Re: Cool box / Fridge help
Yes the fridges have a cut-off voltage that preserves the battery, if you look at the right spec sheets its even configurable if you wish;
https://www.secop.com/fileadmin/user_up ... 01e502.pdf
https://www.secop.com/fileadmin/user_up ... 01e502.pdf
-
- Bongonaut
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2009 3:08 pm
- Location: Horfield, Bristol
Re: Cool box / Fridge help
Thanks Geoff. I'd never have guessed it was possible to connect my fridge to a laptop by usb!
What's a sensible cut off to avoid damaging a leisure battery (standard lead, not lithium)?
What's a sensible cut off to avoid damaging a leisure battery (standard lead, not lithium)?
- g8dhe
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 10266
- Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:06 pm
- Location: Worthing, West Sussex.
- Contact:
Re: Cool box / Fridge help
I would leave it at the default settings unless you have special reasons to change it.