VW California Refrigerator Use in High Heat (Parked with Closed Windows/Roof)

[tadejs]

Hey everyone,

I'm hoping to get some insights from fellow VW California owners regarding refrigerator use, particularly when parked in high temperatures.

My main concern is whether it's okay to run the refrigerator when the outside temperature is high, and all windows and the pop-top roof are completely closed.

Has anyone had experience with this? Did you encounter any issues with the refrigerator's performance, efficiency, or perhaps more importantly, any concerns about the overall heat build-up inside the California itself when everything is sealed up?

I'm trying to figure out if this is a viable option for keeping things cool, or if it's something to avoid for safety/efficiency reasons.

Thanks in advance for your advice and experiences!

 

[colintfcolintf]

If you had wind deflectors on the front windows you could drop the windows a little

 

[dspuk]

Zero issues. It is designed to do this.

 

[Wish]

FYI Grumpygrandad gave me a "home made reflector" (attached with magnets) to place against the outside panel of the van - reduces the amount of work the refrigerator has to do to keep the food cool...

 

[WelshGas]

Hey everyone,

I'm hoping to get some insights from fellow VW California owners regarding refrigerator use, particularly when parked in high temperatures.

My main concern is whether it's okay to run the refrigerator when the outside temperature is high, and all windows and the pop-top roof are completely closed.

Has anyone had experience with this? Did you encounter any issues with the refrigerator's performance, efficiency, or perhaps more importantly, any concerns about the overall heat build-up inside the California itself when everything is sealed up?

I'm trying to figure out if this is a viable option for keeping things cool, or if it's something to avoid for safety/efficiency reasons.

Thanks in advance for your advice and experiences!

The amount of Heat extracted from the Fridge interior is minuscule compared to the amount of heat accumulated within the vehicle and the fridge is designed to cope with this heat imbalance.

 

[pchmlk]

I’ve got temp sensors in a few places in my van. I checked the other day and the interior was 49 degrees C….the fridge was a barmy 27. It hasn’t been on for weeks and shows the insulation it has.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

Hey everyone,

I'm hoping to get some insights from fellow VW California owners regarding refrigerator use, particularly when parked in high temperatures.

My main concern is whether it's okay to run the refrigerator when the outside temperature is high, and all windows and the pop-top roof are completely closed.

Has anyone had experience with this? Did you encounter any issues with the refrigerator's performance, efficiency, or perhaps more importantly, any concerns about the overall heat build-up inside the California itself when everything is sealed up?

I'm trying to figure out if this is a viable option for keeping things cool, or if it's something to avoid for safety/efficiency reasons.

Thanks in advance for your advice and experiences!

Hi, we’ve just had 4 nights in Bordeaux and 3 nights in Pauillac and we had 34 degree in the shade heat, 46 in the full sun for a lot of the time, only thing we noticed is the fridge used 3 amps quite regularly, internal temp in the fridge was as always around 5 degrees (loose thermometer in the basket at the top). Set on level 4. Rear wall is as usual freezing what we put next to it in the corner. I wouldn’t worry about the heat unless you’re short on power. We have two solar panels and we were on hook up in Bordeaux.

 

[ThomasHJ]

FYI Grumpygrandad gave me a "home made reflector" (attached with magnets) to place against the outside panel of the van - reduces the amount of work the refrigerator has to do to keep the food cool...

This is what Wish is referring to. I made one myself as well. Simple DIY with some reflecting material and a few magnets and a sewing machine. However, your profile shows T7 so this may not be a solution for you.

 

[WelshGas]

This is what Wish is referring to. I made one myself as well. Simple DIY with some reflecting material and a few magnets and a sewing machine. However, your profile shows T7 so this may not be a solution for you.

Not sure that would work for the OPs T7 California.

 

[Dodge1311]

I have a Bluetooth thermometer in mine and while it was parked on the drive this weekend fridge fluctuated from 1 Deg to 4.7 Deg through the day and night outside temp was 21-28Deg through the day. Defo worked harder to maintain temp as the battery dropped 31% versus the usual 20% per day.

 

[Corradobrit]

I have a Bluetooth thermometer in mine and while it was parked on the drive this weekend fridge fluctuated from 1 Deg to 4.7 Deg through the day and night outside temp was 21-28Deg through the day. Defo worked harder to maintain temp as the battery dropped 31% versus the usual 20% per day.

Yes, if the sun is beating down on that panel the battery usage will be significantly greater for the compressor to keep the fridge at its set temperature.

 

[temporarysecretary]

Ran it in Spain with 40+ outside temp. Single solar panel and ran continuously on 4 with zero issues.

 

[sticky1]

I am tracking about 0.7amps per hour, with the fridge in normal use.
It’s now on permanently with the solar topping up any loss during night time.

 

[sticky1]

Ran it in Spain with 40+ outside temp. Single solar panel and ran continuously on 4 with zero issues.

Do you know what temperature setting 4 achieves in 40 degree ambient, I’d be interested to know.

 

[temporarysecretary]

Do you know what temperature setting 4 achieves in 40 degree ambient, I’d be interested to know.

No idea of temp but I do remember having refreshing Fanta limon.