Refrigerators for automobiles are a thing not yet highly appreciated by Russians, but extremely useful. In America, one family has 2-3 mobile units for different occasions. Such devices can be extremely convenient both when going to the country house and on a road trip.
Today, several varieties of such designs are produced.
Thermoelectric models
Car refrigerators of this type are absolutely not afraid of turns and bumps. Some models even function while lying on their side or back. Another undoubted advantage is that they can work both for cooling and for heating. The disadvantages include a high degree of energy consumption. Another disadvantage is their inertia. The chamber cools and heats up rather slowly.
Automobile refrigerators of this type work due to the passage of electric current through semiconductor wafers installed outside and inside the case. The principle of operation is quite simple. When the internal elements are heatedexternal ones are cooled and vice versa. As a result, an increased or decreased temperature is established inside the chamber. Typically, these models are chosen by truck drivers.
Absorption equipment
The main advantage of such structures is the ability to operate independently of the on-board network.
Such automobile refrigerators can operate on gas and liquid fuel. Of course, such equipment will be very useful in hiking, as well as in summer cottages. For example, if we talk about the average family, then a 5-liter gas bottle will be enough to use the refrigerator for a month.
The principle of operation of such models is also nothing complicated. Cooling occurs due to the absorption of ammonia by water and heating of this mixture. The disadvantages of refrigerators of this type include sensitivity to tilt. The equipment must be handled with care. However, for ordinary car enthusiasts, buying such a model is likely to be the best solution.
Compressor models
Such equipment works on the same principle as the usual stationary models. This car refrigerator, the price of which is quite high (700 - 2000 EUR), is the least used by car owners.
Such equipment is very sensitive to tilt and shock. When depressurization occurs, the refrigerant escapes to the outside. However, such models also have undoubted advantages. First of all, it is economical in terms of energy consumption. In addition, such designs cool products much more efficiently than any other types and are completely non-inertial.
Cost of equipment and its dimensions
As mentioned above, the most expensive today are compressor models. An absorption car refrigerator (reviews about this equipment are extremely positive) is somewhat cheaper (500 - 700 EUR). And the least amount of funds will have to be spent on the purchase of a thermoelectric model (100 - 300 EUR).
As for the dimensions, the compressor varieties are the most capacious. The chamber capacity of such models can range from 18 to 220 liters. Slightly smaller sizes have absorption structures (24 - 140 l). And the smallest chambers are equipped with thermoelectric refrigerators (0.5 - 49 l).
Thus, you should choose the most suitable model, taking into account, first of all, your own financial capabilities. Also important is the composition of the family and how much it may be necessary to operate the unit in an unplugged state.
