Putting Dometic / Waeco portable freezers on their side?

[BenDwel]

Hello,

I am looking to use a CF-18 for my camper. To save space I am thinking of putting it under my bed (will have enough air space for air to get to compressor). But in order to put it under my bed I would have to put it on it’s side. I couldn’t find much documentation on if I could or not. If I remember right you aren't supposed to run anything with freon in it on its side.

Does anyone have any anecdotal experience on using a Dometic compressor fridge on its side?

Thanks!

 

[LeeRevell]

I would really NOT want to put a compressor fridge on it's side. I have this same fridge, and it works well.

 

[Mobilesport]

I would think that if you could the company would tell you about it  to use it as a selling point.

 

[highdesertranger]

you cannot change the orientation of a compressor refer. that said some of the 12v models can run 30 degrees out of level. big plus for off road. highdesertranger

 

[Hippiechk]

I had that one in the next size up & no, you can't get it too far out of level before it screws up. I would have been happy to get mine even angled as where it was the lid was a menace. I tried propping it up on just a 2X4 & it got uppity.

 

[SternWake]

I think most 12v compressor  models are rate to operate at upto 30 degrees out of level. I know Danfoss/Secop and Sawafuji compressor models say this. Not sure about the others.

How well they run 30 degrees out of level is another story.  Perhaps they  are undamaged by trying to run this far out of level, but actually cool very badly as Hippiechk noted.

So Do NOT try and run a chest style 12v compressor fridge on its side.

They do sell fridge drawers:

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|2276204|2276226|2530781&id=333000

 

[highdesertranger]

hey stern that is pretty cool. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

...I am thinking of putting it under my bed (will have enough air space for air to get to compressor). 

Getting air in is only half of the equation. It also needs to exhaust the warm air coming off the compressor. In a semi-enclosed space, the ambient air surrounding the fridge gets warmer and warmer unless you have something like an external fan circulating air.

 

[MrNoodly]

The lid hinges on small Dometic fridges are pins in slots, making the lid easily removable. When the fridge is turned on its side, the lid would probably want to fall off when it's opened. Also, the latch is a couple of prongs that tend to break off over time. That's not a big problem when the fridge is upright, because gravity holds the lid closed. It would be a real problem if the fridge was on its side.

 

[ccbreder]

The compressors do not work on their side. Must be upright. I built a pull out platform using drawer slides.