Many older campervans have a passive ice box (a well-insulated chest that keeps food cool with ice packs). You can convert it to a proper 12v compressor fridge.
The Conversion Kit
The Waeco/Vitrifrigo BD35 conversion kit contains: Danfoss BD35 compressor, condenser, evaporator plate, thermostat, and control unit. Cost: £250-350.
Installation
- Remove the ice box from the van
- Mount the compressor in a ventilated compartment (near the ice box or underneath)
- Fit the evaporator plate inside the ice box (stick to the back wall)
- Connect the condenser coil to the compressor (outside the box, behind a vent)
- Wire the control unit to 12v power (fused)
- Fill the insulation gaps with foam
- Test: should reach 5°C within 2 hours
Skills Required
This is an intermediate DIY job. You need basic refrigeration knowledge (gas charging) or pay a fridge engineer to gas the system. Many van builders install the kit and take it to a refrigeration engineer for the gas charge (£50-80).
Result
A 40-60L fridge that draws 1.5-2.5A running. Fairly efficient. Costs £300-400 total (kit + gas + labour) compared to £500-800 for a new built-in fridge.
Conclusion
Converting an ice box to a 12v fridge is cost-effective if you already have a well-insulated ice box and want more capacity than a standard under-counter fridge.
