Getting a van refrigerated

[LeeDowner]

I'm looking to buy something like a transit connect, Renault kangoo or similar and then get it refrigerated.

What would the cost of this be? I had a quote of £3,500+ VAT but this is a lot more than I expected.

 

[Mursal]

Yes it all adds up, you might get one already converted in the classifieds, try Gumtree.co.uk.
just pop in make and your post code, see whats about, in your area.

 

[Burnerman]

In this case I think I'd be going down the lease / PCP or second hand route, Lee - maybe a Berlingo for less than £200 per month sounds typical. I'd doubt if you would recuperate the cost of a conversion package.
John

 

[LeeDowner]

Why is it so expensive? I expected around £1,000 tops for the compressor, condenser and fan unit, probably a new battery and wiring and then some insulation.

It's for carrying fresh food I think I'll buy a few cooler boxes and ice packs!

 

[Burnerman]

I would imagine that any refrigeration plant would be purpose built to fit the van in question - compressor on the roof or whatever. No real idea though!
John

 

[Peter.N.]

Apart from being specially built it would need to be fairly hefty needing a pretty large compressor. If you don't need to refrigerate the whole of the inside how about installing a standard large freezer running from a 240v inverter, or two even. You could probably pick up a couple of secondhand large chest freezers for not a lot of money.

Peter

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...&LH_ItemCondition=3000&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

 

[Burnerman]

Morning Peter!
Just wondering what the start current of a domestic freezer could be - which would require quite a substantial inverter, no doubt?
I've never had anything to do with these devices, but I'd guess the continuous rating is significantly less than the stated output.
Regards
John

 

[LeeDowner]

For vans as common as a transit connect I would've thought the fridge units would be mass produced, there must be thousands on the road.

Thanks for the replies, I'll get some cooler boxes and ice packs though, most food I carry are non perishable or drinks.

 

[Peter.N.]

Hi John

I would guess about three or four times its running current although I believe I have had a 150w inverter with a good surge rating start one. I would think 500w would be adequate to run two as they are not both likely to fire up at the same time. I use secondhand hand computer UPS's for inverters, they give a very good sine wave and are pretty cheap to buy but most of them seem to need 24v which could be a problem. You would of course need a standby battery to power them when the van wasn't being driven and a mains point to plug them into at night.

I would think that a couple of decent size freezers and a 100ah deep cycle battery and inverter could be done for about £750.

Refrigeration units are a lot more efficient than they used to be so about about 100 watts per freezer should be enough, although that would equate to about 20 amps at 12v so you would need a good battery if it was going to stand for long.

Peter

 

[Peter.N.]

For vans as common as a transit connect I would've thought the fridge units would be mass produced, there must be thousands on the road.

Thanks for the replies, I'll get some cooler boxes and ice packs though, most food I carry are non perishable or drinks.

Why not then just fit a cheap secondhand freezer and just plug it in at night, put plenty of ice bags in then it will probably stay cool all day.

Peter