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Quote: Originally posted by NdBuk on 28/3/2019

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Hi

We have a 3 way fridge and probably wouldn't go back to coolboxes.

Didn't fancy an electric compressor fridge as we prefer not to be tied to electric pitches. That's just a personal preference though - and also the reason why we're now in a bell tent with a stove...

The other advantage of a 3 way fridge over a compressor one is that it's silent.


In terms of space, we used to take 2 coolboxes with the things that need to be kept cold in there (i.e. because of food safety, so not beers). We figure that the fridge takes the same space in the car, has a much larger capacity than the coolboxes as you're not taking up space with ice packs, and cools much better. This means that we can happily keep it loaded up with drinks too... I guess the same would be true regardless of condensing or compression fridges.

We got ours from www.mgdonine.co.uk a couple of years ago after camping with friends that have a similar one. We're on the Dometic Combicool RC 1700.

Thinks to note and check when comparing:
-Capacity. These things aren't cheap (ours was about £200 when we got it) but it's only a small amount extra for a larger capacity (or at least it was when we looked, couldn't find the smaller version to compare this morning)
-Cooling 'power' or operating external temperature range - again a small amount for more cooling 'power'. As an example here, the RC1200 and the RC 1700 are the same size internally and externally, but the 1200 can keep your food cool at up to 30 degrees, whereas the 1700 will chill at up to 36 degrees, but the price difference at current prices on that site is only £5

Bear in mind that these only work as a proper fridge giving full cooling when on 240v or gas, in fact we're generally amazed by how much cooling the gas provides. We often pull out a drink that has been sat against the cooling elements and has started to freeze.

When on 12v they're generally about the same your 12v coolbox in that if something is already cold it'll keep it cold, and ideal for the car journey, but you wouldn't want to use it on 12v for a few days of camping - especially if you wanted to chill drinks and restock with food that hasn't come straight from another fridge.

But yeah - we love ours. We often camp with another family who also have a Dometic Combicool (slightly smaller version). They've had theirs for years and have had absolutely no problems with it.

As for location, it generally goes in our friend's event shelter (which we use as a mess tent when camping together) right next to theirs. One for food, one for beverages, both fridges and the gas cooker running off the same bottle. When not with them, we have it outside the tent under the tarp and haven't had any issues with it blowing out (we try to pitch with the tent door facing away from the prevailing wind anyway).

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Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 31/3/2019

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Beg to differ there NdBuk, the RC1200/1700 works exactly the same regardless of power source, just as efficient on 12v as 240v with near identical performance figures

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