Why buy an RV fridge?

Thanks to the evolution of solar panels and low-cost batteries available for campers and vans, more and more people are installing a compressor fridge in their mobile homes, gaining in safety and performance.
The manufacturers of refrigerators for campers are focusing on this technology, the most popular, given the performance, power and consumption much lower than other technologies. And here the customer wonders: but if it's a compressor fridge, why can't I use a domestic fridge in my van?
The owner of the camper does the math, sees that the domestic refrigerator costs less and installs it in place of the old one in his camper.

Well. But then, why are there compressor refrigerators specifically designed for motorhomes? There is a reason! Indeed, more than one. Let's discover them together.

REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGY
Both the home refrigerator and the RV refrigerator have a compressor to cool the interior, but what kind of compressor? From the website of one of the largest compressor manufacturers in the world, SECOP, you can immediately notice the huge variety of refrigerant compressors on the market.
There are compressors for stable refrigerators, for domestic refrigerators, for restaurants, ice cream parlors, compressors dedicated to the automotive industry, for portable refrigerators, medical refrigerators, condensing compressors, etc. Each has its own specific characteristics and are designed to be more efficient and longer lasting, considering the use that will be made of them.

PERFORMANCE
A domestic refrigerator will be less suitable for the high heat that can be created inside the camper or van, under the sun or simply with high outside temperatures, because it was designed to be in a domestic environment. Furthermore, the position and conformation of the compressor will not facilitate the exchange of air and it will be necessary to leave a greater space between the refrigerator and the wall, losing precious space, or to add cooling fans, also because, due to the way it is designed, a domestic compressor has need a lot more ventilation.

CONSUMPTION
Compressors for campers/vans are designed to consume as little consumption as possible and safeguard the energy independence of travellers.
The latest generation compressors are equipped with new electronics that allow the motor to operate at variable speed. Therefore, they are not only switched on or off, working at 0% or 100%, but thanks to an algorithm they can vary the power required to maintain the internal temperature and, usually working between 30 and 50% of their possibilities, consume a lot less energy.
For example, the new 70-litre SLIM 70 model by IndelB consumes just 0.290 kWh in 24h, with an absorption of 38 Watts.
Some latest generation domestic refrigerators could consume even less, but it must be considered that domestic ones are built without thinking about the space used; they can be equipped with thick layers of insulation, which save electricity, but which will take up precious space inside your camper without remorse.
Some travellers, wherever possible, subsequently install insulation boards around RV fridges, but be careful! Be very careful not to block the air recirculation (in the manual you will find all the information for correct installation). These stratagems are in our opinion now useless; the low consumption of the refrigerators and the high efficiency of solar panels and batteries make excessive energy saving measures superfluous.

SAFETY
Refrigerators used in campers must absorb shocks and vibrations; being designed for these accidents makes them last longer, without loss of performance or damage.
They are also equipped with small details that are usually not thought of during the purchase, such as the handle lock. During travel, the domestic refrigerator door may open unnecessarily because it is not designed to withstand the forces coming from bends or tilts of the motorhome.

COMFORT
Both types of refrigerators are equipped with a compressor and, during operation, a humming noise will inevitably be heard. However, travel refrigerators are designed and built to disturb as little as possible, bearing in mind that they will probably be located near the sleeping area.
Compressors for campers are internally equipped with micro silencers and the electronics work so that the compressor is active as little as possible. Furthermore, the refrigeration power can be adjusted and lowered before night time and the new models have the 'night' function: with a simple touch you will be able to sleep without buzzing and discomfort.