Hi folks,
After some months of looking I've picked up my first motorhome. I got myself a rather nice Autosleeper Harmony, based on the SWB Boxer it's handy for in town but big enough for me. So looking forward to some adventures in it (once my exams are over :-)
One question I have is what to do about food in the fridge when not on the campsite. I know the fridge will run on 12v with the engine going but what is usually done when sitting in a car park? I don't know that leaving the gas running is a good idea. Would icepacks be enough to keep the fridge cold for a few hours?
We usually load up a couple of freezer blocks,(which we've frozen at home) and that has always seemed to keep everything chilled well enough.Although we don't tend to take much stuff that can easily "spoil"..
Also if I remember correctly,the thermostat is either over-ridden or operates differently whilst on 12v,so it ends up getting chilled down further anyhow..we've arrived on sites a few times,after a long journey and found we'd frozen the marg' & cheese!..
We hope you enjoy it as much as the rest of us on here do!!!
Kernow Camper
------------- Need more holidays!!
2024:
Feb Baltic Wharf, Bristol
Mar/April (Easter) - Somerset
May - Wales & Dulverton
June - Lake District
July - Dorset
August - Glastonbury
September - Snowdonia
October - Carnon Downs and ?? (for hab check)
November - Baltic Wharf, Bristol
Christmas - Cotswolds
If you plug into the mains at home, overnight is best, the fridge will stay cold & frozen stuff frozen until you get onto any site. we regularly travel for upto 6 hrs without using the 12v system with no problems, just dont keep opening the fridge door
Hi Smirky- I see no reason why you cannot use your fridge on gas when parked up in a car park for the day, just shut it off gas when travelling. You will of course have to be on reasonable level ground for it to work correctly. Have fun I am sure you will but dont forget to look out for the dreaded height barriers to car parks.
We have a harmony and while we don't generally use the freezer compartment, we find the rest of the fridge stays pretty cold, so I don't think you would need to worry about it warming up when in a carpark for a few hours.
Interesting question. I usually only have minimum stuff in fridge but I do buy food like ham for sandwiches. I am a bit dubious if it has been left in fridge in car park all day on the second day.
I bought one of those insulated lunch bags from Wilkinsons - flat square shape - and have one of those ice blocks which I shall freeze overnight and put perishable food in the bag if necessary for the day.
I reckon it will take quite a lot of food and it fits on a shelf in fridge so only need to pop the block on top on arrival at car park.
We generally just leave stuff in the fridge it will remain cold if you are just out for the day, as someone else said don't keep opening the door. If it was a really hot day you could pop the gas on to keep it cold, otherwise don't worry too much.
Quote: Originally posted by Magpieman on 27/3/2009
We generally just leave stuff in the fridge it will remain cold if you are just out for the day, as someone else said don't keep opening the door. If it was a really hot day you could pop the gas on to keep it cold, otherwise don't worry too much.
'Really hot day', hope we get loads this year and never mind the food.
Seriously I think you are right, food should be fine for a day.