How to Power Your Domestic Caravan Fridge

When choosing the right generator for your caravan, you need to think about the appliances that will need it to run. One of the most important appliances you should consider is the domestic caravan fridge. The bigger the fridge, the more energy it will require to run and keep your food and beverages cold. However, power requirement is not always proportional to the size. Where feasible, one large caravan fridge will be more efficient than having two small fridges. Apart from those points, here other things to consider when powering your domestic caravan fridge:

• Consider an inverter generator – High-end recreational generators are already powered by the latest inverter technology. Hence, they are surprisingly lightweight, easy to carry, and will not become a burden on your caravan’s fuel efficiency. Inverter generators produce pure power with their state-of-the art control system to maintain extremely accurate voltage levels. Hence, they are ideal for powering sensitive electronics like laptops and computers, as well as small domestic appliances. Moreover, they operate quietly with their acoustic panelling and noise-reducing casings.

• Determine the amount of power required to start and run the fridge and other appliances – Some people make the mistake of choosing an insufficiently powered generator, and they only realise that when they turn on certain appliances. Determine the starting output required by your domestic caravan fridge and other appliances such as your air conditioner. It can be three to four times (or higher, in some cases) greater compared to the continuous running power. Remember to check the wattage requirement of the domestic caravan fridge, and take note of the appliances that will have to run at the same time as your fridge.

• Refer to the user manual – Your caravan fridge should come with a user manual where you can find the wattage and amperage draw and other important information for determining the right amount of power for it. If you cannot find that manual, look it up online. Most caravans should do well with an inverter generator around 2000w to 3000w of output. You can also run your caravan fridge from your RV batteries; just be sure you have a means to top up your batteries by either solar panels or a generator. 

Fitting A Domestic Fridge in Your Caravan or Campervan

It is essential for a domestic fridge to fit properly into your caravan or campervan to prevent flue problems and cold draughts, which can go to your living areas. Likewise, it will ensure efficient refrigeration, while preventing rain from entering through vents. Here are a few pointers to help ensure a properly fitted domestic fridge in your campervan or caravan:

• The recess – Make sure that the fridge is standing on its feet and that it is secured firmly in a durable housing. If it needs to be serviced, the fridge must come out seamlessly from its location. Make sure there is at least a10 to 20mm gap behind the domestic fridge, and that the door is easy to open to at least 105 degrees without any obstructions when you need to remove the interior fittings.

• Ventilation – This factor is essential for efficient performance. To allow the caravan fridge to run efficiently, provide at least 240 square centimetres of free effective area for every vent. A fridge with over 60L of capacity must have at least 300 square centimetres of free effective area. Keep the upper vent relative to the fridge’s rear to enable the vent’s top edge to be at least 55mm above the top of your fridge. You may have to use an additional ventilation system designed specifically for campervan and caravan refrigerators to prevent water from entering through the vents. 

• Remember to seal the cooling unit from the caravan’s interior at the back of the fridge for optimum performance and to avoid cold draughts. Make sure the fridge doors will not obstruct the cooling vents when fully opened.

• Ensure proper flue installation – Only use an approved flue kit for your gas fridge. The top must be properly screwed in place to prevent restriction. Allow around 5mm of clearance between combustible material in the wall of your caravan and flue pipe to lower the risk of fire. There should be a minimum of 10mm space between the flue top and the end of the flue pipe to prevent distorting the flue cover.

• Pointers for connecting the gas – Use a copper pipe to prevent gas leaks, and use an approved and high-quality union gas cock in the supply line, while making sure that it is still accessible to you. That way, the refrigerator can be isolated.

Confused in Choosing the Right Trash Pump?

There are many different kinds of pumps for different applications, making the process of selecting the right trash pump confusing and overwhelming. The right pump should help ensure an easy and efficient job, while the wrong pump could mean a waste of resources and a lot of downtime. To save you from the trouble of choosing the wrong trash pump, take a look at the following factors to make sure that you can buy the right product that fits your needs:

• Repriming and priming capabilities – A trash pump may lose its prime due to several factors, like when water level drops in and causes the strainer and suction hose to be exposed to let air enter. This can cause the pump to stop pumping. Improper installation, tears, and holes may cause loss of prime, too, and if the trash pump cannot regain prime, the application can become unsafe and cause harm to you and to the equipment. Hence, consider a wet-priming or self-priming pump that has a unique pump casing, which will automatically prime and reprime, even without an auxiliary primer. 

• Explore the range of trash pumps - Wet prime trash pumps can handle around 29cfm of air. Some manufacturers design their equipment to be compatible with a compressor or vacuum pump to make it capable of handling additional air for quick priming and repriming.

• End-suction centrifugal pumps cannot handle air alone, so they rely on auxiliary priming equipment like a compressor or vacuum pump, or a hand-held device to maintain and achieve prime. Dry-pumping pumps use a web prime and a self-priming centrifugal trash pump, and they do not require water in the pump casing, making them ideal for use in applications where temperatures could cause water to freeze and make the volute break.

• Check the operating range – An excavation’s flow rate may vary, but the right trash pump should be able to handle maximum pumping capacity to reduce groundwater table and be able to operate well at reduced flow rates. That way, groundwater table is maintained at a reasonable sub-grade.

• Capability to handle trash – Different kinds of debris may mix into the water, including sticks, sand, and rocks. Hence, make sure the pump can let them pass without binding or causing damage. Moreover, make sure the pump has a high suction lift capacity.