confused about fridges

i have a full width r&r bed and no furniture, which is how i like it
recently i have been thinking about getting / making a removable unit to house a gas hob and fridge with maybe a small cupboard to keep the gas in. this will be for when the bus is used for more than 1 night away. i would like to be able to take the whole unit out and leave it in the garage for the majority of the time as i seldom camp in it.
the problem is with the fridge. as they are gas, do they need to be vented to the outside? i dont want to cut holes in the floor or side to have a permanent install but i dont reall want to wake up dead either
any ideas / suggestions? has anyone got anything similar?

 

The gas camping fridges do need venting to the exterior of ther bus

A 12 volt compressor fridge would be suitable for what you want to do

 

compressor fridge? time for a google...
thanks para

 

Waeco compresssor fridge - expensive but it does the job - mines similar to this (but was cheaper) you need to shop around online to find someone doing a deal.

http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/waeco-coolfreeze-cdf-25-compressor-fridge-3431

A couple of summers ago (when we actually had hot weather) we had 3 days away with temps of 25+ degrees and the fridge kept everything cold enough to freeze things! I had to turn it down! Lasted 3 days no trouble from an 85AH leisure battery - that was without hardly any running the engine to charge the battery as well. 8)

 

we have a Waeco compresssor fridge, it's a great bit of kit and doesn't use much battery power

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Waeco-CR-50-CR50-Upright-Marine-Caravan-Camper-12v-Compressor-Fridge-Freezer-/190674873933?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item2c651bae4d

we paid about £200 as a out of season deal

 

I bought the Vitrifrigo 42L because of its external compressor and low power consumption.

 

thats a big chunk of cash for something that will not be used very often. i think i will get a 3 way for £40ish and just not use it on gas. if i go anywhere for more than 2 nights (very rare) i would have a hook up

 

A decent cool box and ice cubes stays cold for ages, ask Redarmy. A weekends worth easily.

Once the ice melts the water produced is still enough to keep the core temperature low. A few pence for a new bag of ice is nothing.

 

i have an electric cool box that works well but only when engine is running. i use this for up to 2 days and its fine. i was thinking of the fridge idea for longer jaunts

 

A 3 way fridge running on 12 volt will flatten your battery overnight and not chill all that low

If its only for occasional use and to keep stuff cold for a few days than a coolbox and ice packs will be fine

Word of warning though modern coolboxes seem to be rubbish

Over the last 3 years ive bought and returned over 5 modern coolboxes as they just didnt keep stuff cool for long enough

I know use an old tatty coolbox i found in a skip and it keeps stuff proper cool for 3 to four days

I could do with a larger one to be honest and im tempted to make a wood box with a seat on top and insulate it myself with kingspan or such like

 

I got a waeco compressor fridge, the largest one that still fits between the front seats. You have to use thick cable with them as there is a surge when the compressor first starts and on the cable I originally tried I was losing 1.5v down the wire so the fridge was cutting out. If you want things to be able to get really cold and not use too much electricity compressor fridges are the only way to go, but they are expensive. The insulating cover I bought to go with it wasn't cheap either.
I am planning to put it in the awning when camping, although the compressor is very quiet I am a light sleeper so I dont hear it.

 

I'm looking at getting a small fridge for the van as well. Looking at 12V compressor fridges and also electric cool boxes. The electric cool boxes are much cheaper and no compressor - so how do they work and are they any good?