I recently bought a vw westfalia and the stove/fridge/sink unit were all taken out.. I was wondering how to go about putting in a small camper fridge/ how to power it??? Anyone got any ideas? I can live w/o the stove/running water but coolers are really a pain in the ass, I'd much rather have a lil' fridge. Also while we're on the subject does anyone know of any resources for finding cheap used mini-fridges in good condition?
I had a 71 Westy that I lived in for a while that was pretty decked out. The previous owner built a cutom cabinet in it that had a Dometic 3 way (Propane, 12 volt, 110 volt) fridge out of an R.V. in it, along with a propane stove above it that slid out on a drawer kind of thing, then a sink with an electric pump on top of the cabinet. I'm trying to find a pic. That fridge was nice, it would even make ice.
Zoomie is giving away one of the Dometic's that hayduke mentions above- http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=334923&f=56 See if he still has it. KevinH They are nice units.
I do in fact, still have it. But it's a little large for a Westy. Really large. You could hide a body in it. Not that I would, or would suggest that you or anyone should. Just sayin... Amber, you're looking for a Dometic model 182B. There are some on eBay and elsewhere on the web used, but Dometic discontinued that model some years ago. Sorry. Also be aware that one of the reasons that VW discontinued using the 182B is that there were fires. So I would recommend that you get a 12V model, a heavier alternator and upgrade to a two battery system. Maybe a 150w solar panel. That way you always have a charged battery to run small appliances. Dometic and Norcold both make small models that work on 12VDC or 110VAC. Or look for one of these! http://www.target.com/Coleman-Power...31-8377521?ie=UTF8&rh=k:coleman cooler&page=1
Plugs in to a 12v socket, like a cigarette lighter. Been thinking about getting one for my RV. Would leave me space for toaster oven. All I need is something to keep a little beer cold
i was reading yesterday after seeing this thread,they are extremely inefficient with power..i think i would look at setting up a secondary battery for it if i was going to use one..
You never know what you can do until you try. I rebuilt an engine once using handtools and a Chilton's manual. Nothing makes a better confidence booster than completing a job you had no prior experience with.
You can find the parts to make the solar panels on eBay and in most peoples' garages, instructions free on the web, the actual wires are not expensive and the batteries from electric forklifts you can get free if you know someone who works in a warehouse using them. They won't hold enough charge to power a forklift but you can get years out of them in an RV or van. And giving them to someone is free. Recycling them safely is not. And you'd rather the acid and lead they contain weren't dumped in a landfill, right?
