Absorber Refrigerators
Absorption refrigerator – for a restful night’s sleep and sweet dreams
It’s a dream come true for those seeking peace and quiet. Thanks to the absorption technology, absorption refrigerators run as quietly as a whisper, which is extremely advantageous in compact and cosy caravans and motorhomes. Especially when the sleeping area is right next to the kitchen. You can also confidently put aside unpleasant thoughts of energy source and energy consumption. After all, an absorption refrigerator is very efficient – especially in gas mode – and makes your RV battery last longer.
Only absorption refrigerators can do that – gas and electricity in one!
An absorption refrigerator is particularly worthwhile if you sometimes spend a long time in places where there is no power connection. Because then, you can confidently draw your energy from a gas cylinder. And when you’re back on the road, at least part of the power comes from the RV battery. But be careful: If you have installed a crash sensor, for example, it is better to run your refrigerator on gas. Or use a charging booster so that more current is conducted to the rear of the vehicle.
The modern hybrid models have a particularly useful feature – the so-called automatic energy selection (AES) – and always select the appropriate energy supply. All by themselves. For example, 12 V while driving, gas when stationary or 230 V when connected to the charging current. Incredibly convenient!
Absorption refrigerators – optimal performance in a horizontal position
An absorption refrigerator performs best when it is positioned as horizontally as possible. This is due to the absorption cooling technology. When parking your caravan or motorhome, you should therefore make sure that the ground is as level as possible or help out with levelling ramps or adjustable caravan supports. Your food and drinks will be thankful!
Clever ideas for using your absorption refrigerator
Thanks to their sophisticated technology, absorption refrigerators are absolute pros when it comes to cooling. We have a few tips for you so that you can use your cool companion for a long time:
- Pre-cool your absorption refrigerator before you put in your food and drinks.
- It is best to fill your refrigerator with food and drinks that have already been cooled.
- Make sure you have ventilation grilles when installing your absorption refrigerator on your own.
- Park your caravan with the side with the ventilation grilles in the shade or optionally install an additional fan that transports the heat outside via the ventilation grilles.
- Have your gas burner cleaned once a year.
- Park your camper as horizontally as possible for optimal performance of your absorption refrigerator.
- Only ever leave the fridge door open briefly when you fill your fridge or take something out.
Reliable technology makes your fridge last longer
Absorption refrigerators are more common for camping than models with compressor technology. One reason for this is certainly that absorption technology is considered to be very advanced and durable. On campsites or in older motorhomes, you will therefore find appliances that have been cooling for thirty years or even more. And they would certainly tell you a lot about their many journeys if they could talk …
Always well-ventilated
Absorption refrigerators require ventilation slots and grilles when installed so that the warm exhaust air can escape. Some manufacturers also discharge the exhaust air outdoors through the roof by means of an exhaust gas stack. Here, you should check which solution is best for you. And if your vents are equipped with mosquito nets, you should clean them regularly to ensure that the heat always dissipates perfectly.
Which absorption refrigerator size is the right one for you?
Absorption refrigerators come in many different sizes. From a capacity of approx. 60 l to 90 l up to approx. 175 l. If desired, you can also buy one with a handy freezer compartment.
Small but nice
The smaller models are ideal if you are travelling alone or as a couple. Or have a small child on board. They cover your needs for a tasty breakfast, some fresh fruit and vegetables and two bottles.
Medium-sized and convenient
For a family of four or if you are going on holiday with several friends, a 90-litre refrigerator is definitely worthwhile. This way, your vegetable and fruit supplies stay crisp and you always have enough chilled drinks.
Plenty of space
For a large family and plenty of space in the absorption refrigerator, there are, for example, our 153-litre models. In those, you can store ingredients for your breakfast, a home-made lunch and a cosy barbecue in the evening. If you want to add a freezer compartment, the capacity increases to 175 litres. And such a freezer compartment is a really cool idea: for freezing ice cubes or – if you need a quick meal – a frozen pizza.
Absorption refrigerators – perfect for moderate temperatures
Thanks to their technology, absorption refrigerators do particularly well in temperate climates. This is ideal if you like to travel in Central European regions. The reason: With an absorption appliance, you should avoid extreme temperatures as far as possible since otherwise the cooling capacity decreases.
The cooling capacity of an absorption refrigerator depends on the outside temperature. Therefore, you should first be clear about your travel preferences. After all, if you like to travel in particularly cold or very hot areas, a compressor refrigerator would be a better choice for you. They work only with electricity and have a consistently good cooling performance even in very hot or very cold regions.
Gas supply abroad
Before you travel, we recommend that you check where you can get gas if necessary. Aluminium gas cylinders, for example, can be refilled or exchanged for full cylinders. In some countries, you may need an adapter to refill your gas cylinders. And in other countries, gas cylinders can only be borrowed. But a good overview should be available on the internet or in your camping guide.
The path to your new absorption refrigerator – step by step
- Decide how big your refrigerator should be.
- Measure how much space you have available for the absorption refrigerator – in your caravan, motorhome or van.
- Now choose the right fridge from our range.
- Simply order your new absorption refrigerator.
- Have the refrigerator installed by a specialist workshop.
Technical terms simply explained
What is automatic energy selection (AES)?
An absorption refrigerator can be operated with electricity and gas. If your refrigerator is equipped with AES (Automatic Energy Selection), it switches automatically. While driving, you cool with 12 V. When parked, your unit is powered by gas. If you have access to a power connection at your campsite or parking space, you can also operate your refrigerator with 230 V when it is parked.
What is an absorption refrigerator?
Absorption technology uses an ammonia-water solution as a refrigerant. In the boiler, this solution is heated by a gas flame or an electric heating cartridge (12 V/230 V), whereby the ammonia is extracted and rises in the form of gas bubbles. The rising ammonia bubbles create a pump effect and end up in the condenser, where the ammonia vapour condenses. The resulting liquid flows into the evaporator in the refrigerator compartment and immediately becomes gaseous again. Heat is extracted from the interior of the refrigerator. The ammonia gas is fed back into the storage tank and absorbed by the weakly concentrated water-ammonia solution in the absorber. Then the cycle starts again.
What is a compressor refrigerator?
Compressor technology uses a gaseous refrigerant. This gas is compressed by a compressor and thus heated. There are cooling fins (condensers) on the back of the refrigerator that release the generated heat into the ambient air – the refrigerant liquefies. This liquid then flows to the evaporator in the refrigerator compartment, where it becomes gaseous again due to pressure reduction. This process removes heat from the inside of the refrigerator and your drinks stay cold. The gas then flows back to the compressor and the cycle starts again.