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rfuerst911sc's avatar
rfuerst911sc
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013

12 volt compressor fridge- any reason not to buy this one ?

http://www.adventurerv.net/waeco-dometic-refrigerator-volt-rsd110-rsd0110e-rsd0110u-p-29317.html?utm_campaign=partsfeed_ppc&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=Froogle&gclid=CJ-p4qWbproCFapAMgodNQIAfQ

I have been searching for a while for a 12 volt compressor fridge for my Avion truck camper. Based on internet feedback this one seems to be good quality and good value. Anyone have one ? Anyone have any feedback ?
Truck Campers

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  • sabconsulting's avatar
    sabconsulting
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2013
    DWeikert wrote:
    sabconsulting: I'm not sure the wiring is that critical. #14 wire should be sufficient even if the batteries are on the opposite side of the camper from the fridge. Average current draw on my model is under 4 amps. I can't imagine the startup surge being enough to need more than 14 gauge.


    When I fitted my CR140 I wired it into the same wiring that had been running my absorption fridge - on turning on the power nothing happened - no lights inside, nothing. Went through a couple of control units until their support engineer suggested trying thicker cable. As an ultimate test I used a jump start cable direct to the battery to see if it worked and it did. It actually sparks when you connect it up due to the current draw as the capacitor charges.

    Turned out that the fridge power was not running directly from the battery, but was going via the 7-way connector at the back, so probably nearly 20ft of cable between the two. I replaced it with a thicker gauge of cable directly from the battery and it then worked fine.

    The issue is not the average current draw, but the instantaneous current draw when first powered up, combined with the unit's battery protection circuitry. Charging that capacitor via a long cable causes a voltage drop to under 11.5 volts for a few milliseconds, enough for its battery protection circuitry to shut the whole thing down.

    Not sure what gauge of cable I used in the end, but it was just a bit thicker than the cable Shadow Cruiser originally used (they seemed to use the same cable size for everything).

    My report on installing a Waeco CR140

    Steve.
  • Steve_in_29's avatar
    Steve_in_29
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2013
    The heart of a compressor fridge is the "compressor" and this one utilizes the well proven Danfoss design. So I don't see why it shouldn't work for you.

    We have had a Tundra (now owned by Dometic) compressor fridge in both our Outfitters and have been VERY pleased with them. I once ran the fridge in my previous camper for a year straight powered only by my solar panels.
  • c_traveler2's avatar
    c_traveler2
    Nomad
    Oct 22, 2013
    DWeikert wrote:
    I can't speak for that specific model, but the Dometic CR-1110 in my Northstar has run at temps down to 19*F/-7*C. Northstar uses the same exterior venting for either compressor or absorption refrigerators so the cooling unit should've thought the temperature was well below 16*C.

    sabconsulting: I'm not sure the wiring is that critical. #14 wire should be sufficient even if the batteries are on the opposite side of the camper from the fridge. Average current draw on my model is under 4 amps. I can't imagine the startup surge being enough to need more than 14 gauge.
    .
    How long have had your cr1110 ? I installed mine a short time ago,fit right in the same space that my old Norcold 300.3 was in.
  • popeyemth's avatar
    popeyemth
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2013
    rfuerst911sc wrote:
    popeyemth wrote:
    For a tenth of the price we have a dorm fridge and an inverter.


    Have not ruled this out how is your battery life with this setup ? What size inverter are you using ?


    700 watt continuous Harbor Freight inverter
    12 hours with furnace running some using one group 27 Battery
    Setup in pic is just a temp
  • DWeikert's avatar
    DWeikert
    Explorer II
    Oct 21, 2013
    I can't speak for that specific model, but the Dometic CR-1110 in my Northstar has run at temps down to 19*F/-7*C. Northstar uses the same exterior venting for either compressor or absorption refrigerators so the cooling unit should've thought the temperature was well below 16*C.

    sabconsulting: I'm not sure the wiring is that critical. #14 wire should be sufficient even if the batteries are on the opposite side of the camper from the fridge. Average current draw on my model is under 4 amps. I can't imagine the startup surge being enough to need more than 14 gauge.
  • sabconsulting's avatar
    sabconsulting
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2013
    Oh, I forgot to say, you need good thick cable to connect it to the battery, and keep the cable run short. When first powered up they have a sudden current draw (I think they charge a capacitor which then has enough grunt to fire up the compressor). This sudden current draw can cause a voltage drop if the cable to the battery isn't a generous enough gauge or is too long, and that causes its automatic circuitry to assume it is about to kill your battery so it shuts itself down - I got fooled by this problem when I first installed mine.

    Steve.
  • sabconsulting's avatar
    sabconsulting
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2013
    I don't recognise that model of Waeco. I have a Waeco CR140 - 140 litres. Works very well. We've used it from -10c to +40c, but that said I don't know what the difference between a 'CR' model and the one you are talking about is.

    It gets cold fast, maintains temperature, isn't too noisy. However I wouldn't boondock with one without solar panels. The CR140 takes both 12v DC and 110v or 240v AC input, and will automatically switch over once it sees shore power is available, but of course there is no option for running from LPG. It will also run happily at up to 30 degrees from flat and had no problem being shaken by corrugated African roads.

    Steve.
  • rfuerst911sc's avatar
    rfuerst911sc
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2013
    popeyemth wrote:
    For a tenth of the price we have a dorm fridge and an inverter.


    Have not ruled this out how is your battery life with this setup ? What size inverter are you using ?
  • Bleugoat's avatar
    Bleugoat
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2013
    RE: Waeco Model RSD-0110U Fridge

    I went to my storage shed and checked the Serial Number Label inside the fridge and among other things it clearly states: Climatic Class N.

    The operating range for climatic class N is +16C to +32C.

    The Serial Number Label and the warning in the owner's manual indicates that operating temperature range could be a problem with this model.

    I am not saying that all Waeco models have these parameters, but this model does.

    Most of the time the interior of my camper will be within this operating range, so I am hoping it will work OK for me - even if I decide to take it to the UK :).
  • sundowners's avatar
    sundowners
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2013
    Bleugoat wrote:


    Possible cause: The compressor only starts up at an ambient temprature of more than +16 degrees C.

    Remedy: Only switch on the refrigerator at an ambient temperature of more than +16 degrees C.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    16 degrees C is equal to 60 degrees F. This fridge is built to European standards which includes a climate class which is described here:

    Climate Class


    Come on guys-----it rarely gets to 61F in UK:S:( ----if this were the case the 'fridge would be totally useless here-----but they have a VERY good name in Europe:)-------I reckon that is a miss-print
    Nigel & Pamala------soggy UK
    AdventureRV tells me this is non-returnable, so I am going to try to make it work. Will it work at temps below 60 degrees? I don't know, but when the manufacturer says it will not work I am assuming they know what they are talking about.

    There is more discussion at this Australian blog:
    Caravaners Forum

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