viola
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Post by viola on Jul 3, 2015 9:09:52 GMT -8
Hi! First time poster here! I am redoing my 1970 Kit Companion trailer and I have no idea if this fridge is propane or electric. There are no manufacturer markings so I don't know what kind it is. If it is propane, does anyone know the steps to making it work?  This is the tubing connecting to the bottom of the fridge  Here you can see a break in the plastic tubing that there is hard metal underneath  Inside of fridge  Here's the outside incase you were curious :-) Thank you for your help! |
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azshastanut
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1957 Kenskill 16T
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Post by azshastanut on Jul 3, 2015 11:38:06 GMT -8
Looks to me like what you have is a good old fashioned ice box. The block of ice goes on the top shelf and the tube is the drain for the water as it melts. They are just like any portable ice chest, not very cold and not very efficient. Some folks just use them for dry storage and have a more efficient ice chest that keeps ice for 7 days or longer. Others step up to a real electric refrigerator or a combination electric/propane which is a little more expensive. If you are going to be camping where you have electrical hook-ups then I would go with electric. Dometic makes a very nice unit that will fit where your ice box is and they will keep ice cream frozen. The propane ones don't seem to operate as efficiently. Nice clean little trailer project. Any more pictures of the inside?
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azshastanut
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1957 Kenskill 16T
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Post by azshastanut on Jul 3, 2015 11:39:54 GMT -8
Forgot the most important thing. Welcome to the forum!
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Post by vikx on Jul 3, 2015 21:29:25 GMT -8
Welcome Viola!
I agree it's an icebox. If you use two blocks of ice, they work OK for 2-3 days, depending on outside temps. If you add insulation to the outside of the "box", they work better. It looks to be in nice shape; I'd keep it if you can.
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Post by vintagebruce on Jul 4, 2015 5:43:05 GMT -8
 to VTT. It is a nice clean ice box. If you decide to "upgrade?" to a propane or electric, you also have the option, if you have the disposable income, you can actually purchase a conversion kit to make that a 12v/110V electric fridge. For the price I'd shop long and hard and buy a clean used Dometic, and save the original ice box in case you decide to sell your Kit. Always best to have as many of the original appliances as possible when it is time to sell. Here is a thread to the pricey conversion kit... www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Ice_Box_to_12VDC_110VAC_Conversion_Kit_p/vts-2057.htmI believe that break in the rubber tubing/drain line that you mention shows metal inside is probably there as a convenience. From time to time depending on the quality of ice and frequency of use and what is placed in the ice holding tray besides ice, the drain line can require cleaning. That is a long drop to outside the camper, and a cut was made with a metal sleeved insert, so you can clear the line of debris from inside the camper (up or down) at the break, eliminating crawling under the camper and trying to clean the lower section from underneath.
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viola
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Post by viola on Jul 5, 2015 8:33:07 GMT -8
WOW! Thank you all so much for the diagnosis of the fridge! I cannot believe that the ice box concept didn't even cross my mind!!!! I like the idea of buying the Dometic fridge because it looks like they are the same price as the conversion kit. I will probably wait for a few years to see if it is really necessary since we will mostly use a cooler and I've never been camping in a trailer so I don't know if where we go will typically have hookups. I will post more pictures of the inside once photobucket uploads the rest of my photos lol! Thank you all SO MUCH for the advice, I am very green to this whole thing (I learned how to use a drill when I removed my first window) and this forum is my saving grace.
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to VTT. It is a nice clean ice box. If you decide to "upgrade?" to a propane or electric, you also have the option, if you have the disposable income, you can actually purchase a conversion kit to make that a 12v/110V electric fridge. For the price I'd shop long and hard and buy a clean used Dometic, and save the original ice box in case you decide to sell your Kit. Always best to have as many of the original appliances as possible when it is time to sell.