Camper Fridges

Which fridge to buy for a camper

When buying a camper fridge it is essential to make a prior search to choose the model that best suits your needs. The size of the camper fridge is one of the most important things to take into account as space is a limiting factor in campers or caravans. You have to find the exact size, you may need a small cooler or you may need larger models.

You may need a camper fridge, or a portable car fridge, integrated or portable camper compressor fridge, thermoelectric camper fridge, with or without freezer, ... In short, the best camper fridge is the one that best suits your needs.

A 12v camper fridge uses power from the vehicle's main battery or auxiliary battery, which is why all camper fridges operate on a minimum of 12V. A 12V cooler is intended and designed to be installed in vehicles or boats. In addition, almost all types of 12v camper fridges can also operate on 220 - 230V if connected to an inverter or electrical outlet.

Compressor camper coolers are also available in 24V models, as this is the most common voltage used by truck batteries.

Types of 12v camper fridge

A 12V camper fridge can be of various types:

• Portable fridge with freezer: These 12v camper fridges have a separate compartment for freezing food and drinks.
• Thermoelectric camper fridge: It uses thermoelectric technology to cool and maintain the temperature.
  • They are the cheapest and lightest.
  • They are connected to the vehicle's cigarette lighter. Therefore, they only work when the vehicle is started.
  • They can operate at 220V.
  • They have a higher consumption and a limited cooling capacity, only cooling up to 20ºC below the ambient temperature. In summer or in very hot climates, they do not cool sufficiently and also consume a lot.
• 12v camper absorption or trivalent fridge: These coolers use 3 power sources. They can operate on 12V when connected to the vehicle's cigarette lighter or directly to the vehicle's battery when the vehicle is running, on 220V when connected to an inverter and on gas when the vehicle is not running.
  • These are the coolers for camper vans that offer the greatest autonomy and are the best option if you do not have solar panels or a battery.
  • They are very quiet.
  • These camper fridges are the best option if we do not have a solar panel installation in our vehicle.
  • In warm areas, they have limited cooling power.
  • They cool down to 25-30°C below room temperature, in cold temperature environments this is sufficient but in summer or hot climates it may not be.
    • In addition, when the car is running, they can only be connected to 12V or 220V, so they cool even less, as in this case they work in the same way as a thermoelectric cooler.
  • Electricity consumption is considerably higher than that of a camper fridge with compressor. They have an approximate consumption between 70 and 100W per hour when running at 12 or 230V.
  • When the vehicle is stationary, it is recommended to use gas as an energy source. A 40L fridge consumes on average between 11 and 15 g/hour; this translates into a cost of €100 per month of fridge use.
  • They require approval for installation. They are larger and cannot be used outside the vehicle as they are usually flush-mounted for fixed installation.
• 12v camper compressor fridge (fixed compressor or portable compressor): This type of camper van fridge uses a compressor to cool and maintain the temperature of food and drinks.

Each electric cooler has its advantages and disadvantages, the main thing is to choose the one that best suits your particular needs and preferences.

Compressor camper fridge

A 12v camper compressor fridge is the coolest type of fridge. This type of fridge is powered by a mechanical compressor that compresses and decompresses refrigerant, thus transferring heat and keeping the interior temperature cool.

They work both at 12V and 230V and there are even 24V models. They are the camper fridges with the highest freezing capacity, the fastest cooling speed and the lowest consumption.

This is the most common type of camper fridge for domestic and commercial use. They are the most expensive because they are the best performing and most powerful; they have the same cooling capacity all year round, unaffected by the seasons and ambient temperature.

Thermoelectric and trivalent coolers are considerably cheaper than a compressor camper fridge, but the performance they offer is not as good.

Due to the large variety of 12V compressor coolers, prices are dropping and are now almost at the same price as trivalent camper coolers.

Advantages 

• They can freeze regardless of the ambient temperature. They reach up to -20ºC.
• They are equally efficient in any type of climate or season. Cold, warm or hot weather, summer or winter. Because this type of camper fridge is not affected by the ambient temperature.
• There are many brands available on the market and at prices that are on a downward trend.
• They can be flush-mounted for fixed or portable installation, with or without wheels, some with internal battery.
• Wide range of capacities for all needs, from 10 Litres to 150 Litres.
• Minimum consumption between 0.6 and 1.0 Ah / Hour (depending on external temperature).
• They are the best option if we have an installation of solar panels and auxiliary battery in our vehicle.
• In addition, no approval is required for installation, unlike the trivalent ones.

Vitrifrigo 12V refrigerator

The new 12v camper fridge models from Vitrifrigo have a lighter and more robust door that can be easily customised. This camper van cooler is available in matt black anti-fingerprint and scratch-resistant finish or in glossy grey laminate with pearl effect.

Vitrifrigo, the 12v camper fridge brand, aims to design and produce refrigerators with the following characteristics:

• Energy and environmental savings.
• Application of new technologies.
• Efficiency, safety and durability.
• Aesthetic and functional design.
• Use of innovative materials.

Advantages of a 12v camper fridge

These electric coolers cool quickly, in less than 2 hours; they perform well at high ambient temperatures (16º - 38 ˚C and 16º - 43 ˚C) and consume very little energy.

The vehicle's 12V battery is its power source, for 12V camper fridges it is advisable to look for power options with additional batteries and to have a photovoltaic installation on the vehicle. No vents are required as the camper fridge has its own internal ventilation.

In areas where the climate is hot, the use of trivalent coolers is not recommended in summer due to the high temperatures. In this case, a 12v camper compressor fridge is perfect and if it is also accompanied by an installation of solar panels, all the better, as all those hours of sunshine in summer will be used. In addition, a compressor camper fridge does not require gas, unlike the trivalent camper fridges; all the energy needed is provided by the sun.

In case you have not yet decided where to buy a cooler, in FVComponentes.com we have coolers of the brand Vitrifrigo. We always go for the best brands, in this case of camper fridge, and at the best price.

The best camper fridge

Knowing the characteristics of each type of camper fridge and depending on your vehicle, you will already have an idea of which one is best suited to your needs.

If you're on a budget and you're on a weekend trip of one or two nights and in campsites or areas with access to 220V electricity, a thermoelectric camper fridge may be sufficient. But if you want to enjoy the camper lifestyle, these coolers will fall short, especially if you are travelling in summer.

For lovers of camper life the best option is a 12V camper fridge with compressor or a trivalent camper fridge. If you have an installation of solar panels in your vehicle, don't even think about it, choose a fridge with compressor as they are also smaller in size. Trivalent coolers are the best or only option if you do not have an auxiliary battery in the vehicle.

If you travel in warm areas, choose a camper compressor cooler; if you like to explore cold or temperate areas, a trivalent cooler may be more than sufficient.

We hope that after reading this you now have all the information you need to choose the best 12V camper fridge.