Hi I was thinking of removing the 3 way fridge in our caravan and replacing it with a std 240v fridge. Has anyone done this before and is it difficult,
Well someone has managed it with ours. When we bought it 3 years ago it was one of the first things we noticed. As we rarely go to sites without EHU it has never been a problem for us. It works great and is a bit bigger inside than the usual 3 way type. Fits so well you'd think it had always been there.
Doubt you will get appliances in or out of door, mines only 47cm wide, and not far off of typical!
In van manufacture, I believe the appliances are fitted in situ before caravan walls are affixed.
Have seen somewhere on UKCampsite forum post fairly recently, that large appliances may be removed/installed through large front window, but no indication whether window needed removing first, or just opened (and propped open) after removal of stays (which limit opening distance).
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 07/7/2020
Doubt you will get appliances in or out of door, mines only 47cm wide, and not far off of typical!
In van manufacture, I believe the appliances are fitted in situ before caravan walls are affixed.
Have seen somewhere on UKCampsite forum post fairly recently, that large appliances may be removed/installed through large front window, but no indication whether window needed removing first, or just opened (and propped open) after removal of stays (which limit opening distance).
I must admit I have never given a thought to how they got our fridge in, I just know that it is a domestic 240 volt one. I might just have to go outside after lunch and take a look. I'll take a tape measure with me.
Out / in through front window after removal, which is an easy job.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Well I did just go out to my caravan and the door is 19.5 in (495mm) wide and the fridge is just under 19in (480mm) so it probably did come in through the door. If not it would have fitted very easily through the front window, which is much larger. It would have had to have been on its side though. I imagine it came in through the door.
The fridge is a Matsui, but I couldn't see a model number on it.
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
thanks for help everyone I will be honest I hadn't thought about the whole in and out carry on, I'll have to get my tape out this evening, and perhaps look about a strong man or 2 lol
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 07/7/2020
Matsui, now that's a brand from the past.
I don't think I've ever heard of it before, and I didn't actually know what brand mine was until I went and had a look this afternoon. All I knew is that it looks and works fine. I also have no idea when it was fitted. Any idea how old it's likely to be? The caravan itself is 28 years old but doesn't look like it's actually had all that much use. I have a feeling the first owner may have had it most of its life, but I don't know for certain. It does us nicely anyway.
Matsui was a 'made up' in house marketing brand of Currys electrical stores.
Quote ripped from Wikipedia:
"Matsui – Introduced in the 1980s by Currys as a brand for its consumer electronics goods assembled in the United Kingdom, using imported components. Products in the Matsui line involved neither Japanese parts nor Japanese labour, but were branded with a Japanese sounding name, a rising sun symbol and the motto "Japanese Technology Made Perfect" "
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 07/7/2020
Matsui was a 'made up' in house marketing brand of Currys electrical stores.
Quote ripped from Wikipedia:
"Matsui – Introduced in the 1980s by Currys as a brand for its consumer electronics goods assembled in the United Kingdom, using imported components. Products in the Matsui line involved neither Japanese parts nor Japanese labour, but were branded with a Japanese sounding name, a rising sun symbol and the motto "Japanese Technology Made Perfect" "
Cheers Monty, well we can all learn something every day. I certainly never knew that. It could be then that our fridge is nearly as old as the caravan. I wonder why it was changed. I had always assumed that the original one had packed up due to old age but that may not be so.
I disposed of a defective microwave last year made by Matsui which we probably bought about 10 years ago from Currys for £24.95. I have to admit that I haven't seen the brand name around for a few years now and the one we have now has no brand name on it at all which we purchased as a new replacement from Sainsbury's for just under 40 quid. That was the cheapest on the market as we only use it occasionally but it shows just how much they have increased in price over the years, quite different to washing machines and fridge freezers etc. which have remained about the same.
My 1988 van has had the 3 way fridge removed and one of those small 240v fridges fitted. I like the look of yours better Colin21 (and your van looks a lot like mine on the inside!) as it fits the whole space however, it does mean there is a handy space above the fridge to store the pots, frying pan and wok. We are new to caravanning and have opted for a seasonal pitch with electric included this year so it is ideal for us ... but I guess having the option of gas and 12v is better if you are touring.
Quote: Originally posted by katymg on 08/7/2020
My 1988 van has had the 3 way fridge removed and one of those small 240v fridges fitted. I like the look of yours better Colin21 (and your van looks a lot like mine on the inside!) as it fits the whole space however, it does mean there is a handy space above the fridge to store the pots, frying pan and wok. We are new to caravanning and have opted for a seasonal pitch with electric included this year so it is ideal for us ... but I guess having the option of gas and 12v is better if you are touring.
Yes, 3 way fridges are better for touring if you are in the habit of going off-grid or on sites without EHU. This doesn't normally apply to us so having a 240 volt fridge isn't a problem. Ours is a full-size fridge that was fitted at some time before we bought it. Even with our previous caravan which had a 3 way fridge, we always ran it on mains electric on site because we were paying through the nose for it anyway. The premium most sites charge per night for an electric pitch is more than we pay at home for all our gas and electricity, even with our gas central heating running.
This is our 4th caravan, but there was a gap of many years between numbers 2 and 3. We like these older caravans as they have a lot of character but still have most of the modern conveniences. The only things ours doesn't have that some modern ones do are a microwave and air-con.
Well the update is I removed the 3 way fridge and realised that the wheel arch was behind it so my under counter fridge wasn't going to fit sooooo I have bought a 43thr fridge which will fit and in turn this will allow me to create extra storage under it for pots and pans. I will upload a pic when all is finished