12V/24V Caravan Fridge Freezers, Technical Overview and Buyer’s Guide
For serious caravan buyers and off-grid travellers in Australia, a reliable 12V/24V caravan fridge freezer is essential for keeping food fresh in remote locations. These units are designed to run on battery power (12-volt or 24-volt DC from your vehicle or solar system) and often also accept mains power, providing flexible cooling on the move.
In this blog, we break down how 12V and 24V compressor fridges work and why they’re ideal for caravans and off-grid travel. We compare compressor vs absorption cooling, explain key features like power draw and dual voltage, and highlight top fridge brands like Engel, Thetford and myCOOLMAN. Whether you’re looking to install a new fridge or upgrade your current setup, this guide helps you make an informed choice.
How Does a 12V/24V Caravan Fridge Work?
Compressor Cooling: A 12V/24V caravan fridge freezer works much like a household refrigerator: it uses a compressor cooling system driven by DC electricity. The compressor pumps refrigerant through a closed loop. As the refrigerant circulates, it undergoes pressure changes: in the evaporator inside the fridge, the refrigerant absorbs heat (cooling the fridge’s interior) and turns into a gas; then the compressor pressurizes this gas and pushes it to the condenser coils where it releases heat to the outside. In short, the evaporator pulls warm air out of the fridge interior, cooling it down efficiently while the condenser dumps that heat externally. This active cooling cycle allows compressor fridges to quickly reach and maintain cold temperatures.
12V/24V DC Power: The fridge’s compressor is powered by 12V or 24V DC, meaning it can run directly from a caravan’s battery system. Many models automatically detect the input voltage and adjust accordingly, so the same unit can be used in a 12V setup (common in most caravans and 4x4s) or 24V (common in trucks) without manual switching. Some caravan fridges also include a built-in AC transformer, allowing auto-switching between 12/24V DC and 240V AC mains power when available. This means you can plug the fridge into household power to pre-cool it or use it at a powered campsite, and it will automatically draw AC when available and revert to DC on the road.
Compressor vs Absorption: Unlike traditional 3-way absorption fridges that can run on gas or 240V/12V heat exchange, compressor fridges have moving parts (the compressor motor) and rely solely on electricity. The benefit is significantly faster and more efficient cooling. Compressor-based caravan fridges cool down in a couple of hours instead of needing overnight pre-chilling. As a general rule, they also perform better in hot ambient temperatures (often rated for 38 to 43 °C conditions) and aren’t as affected by vehicle tilt. There’s no gas flame or external ventilation required, so installation is simpler (no wall flue vents needed) and safety is improved. The trade-off is that they draw power from your batteries continuously, so you need a sufficient 12V power supply (battery capacity, possibly supplemented by solar) to run them off-grid. Overall, the compressor system gives reliable, “at-home” performance on 12V, which is why these fridges are also called 12V RV fridges.
Technical Features and User Benefits of 12V/24V Fridge Freezers
Modern 12V/24V caravan fridge freezers come packed with technical features that provide real benefits for users, especially those traveling off-grid:
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Efficient Cooling with Low Power Draw: Compressor fridges consume less power overall compared to absorption units, since they don’t need to burn gas or run a heating element continuously. Once at temperature, a quality 12V fridge will cycle on/off to maintain coolness, using only a few amps when the compressor runs. For example, a 21 L Engel portable fridge draws as little as 0.5 A under light load and up to ~3.0 A at max, thanks to an efficient swing-motor compressor design. Lower power consumption directly benefits users by extending how long you can run the fridge on a battery. Serious off-grid travellers often pair these fridges with solar panels and ample battery capacity so they can keep food cold for days without mains power.
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Fast Pull-Down and Consistent Cooling: A big benefit of compressor fridges is fast cooling performance. They can cool down to target temperature in just a couple of hours or less. This means you can stock your caravan fridge and be travel-ready the same day. They also hold internal temperatures more consistently, even when it’s 30 to 40 °C outside. High-quality units are rated to keep cooling in ambient heat up to around 43 °C , crucial for Australian summers. Your food and drinks stay reliably chilled or frozen, which is vital for food safety on remote trips.
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Dual Power (DC/AC) and Solar-Friendly: Most 12V/24V fridge freezers offer multi-voltage input. Dual voltage 12/24V DC is standard, and many models also accept 100,240V AC. For instance, Engel’s upright and chest fridges include auto-switching AC/DC electronics, seamlessly changing to 240V when plugged in at home or a caravan park. This gives users flexibility to pre-cool or use the fridge as a spare at home. Off-grid, users can run the fridge from the vehicle alternator while driving, then on a solar-charged battery bank at camp. No gas refills are needed , a benefit in remote regions where obtaining LPG can be difficult. With the right solar setup, you can essentially run a compressor fridge indefinitely in the bush.
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Robust Design for Travel: Portable 12V fridge/freezers are built to handle the vibrations and jostling of travel. Many have reinforced corners, heavy-duty hinges and latches, and steel or impact-resistant plastic bodies. For example, the myCOOLMAN range features tough corner protectors for off-road durability, and Engel’s chest fridges are often called “A Legend in Reliability” for their rugged steel construction. This durability benefits users by ensuring the fridge survives corrugated outback roads and years of use. The internal components (compressor, electronics) are typically designed to tolerate off-road angles and bumps as well, so they keep running smoothly on uneven terrain.
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Advanced Electronics and Convenience Features: Newer caravan fridges come with smart features for user convenience. Many have digital thermostats and displays for precise temperature control, interior LED lighting, and even Bluetooth connectivity for remote monitoring. For instance, myCOOLMAN fridges can be controlled via a smartphone app over Bluetooth , you can check and adjust the temperature from your camp chair. Some models include USB ports to charge devices (using the fridge’s power supply), which is handy in a pinch. Nearly all 12V fridges have built-in 3-stage battery protection, which means it monitors your battery voltage and will cut off the fridge if the battery is getting low, preventing a dead car battery. This feature gives peace of mind to users who might otherwise worry about over-discharging their starter battery overnight. Other conveniences include reversible doors on uprights (to suit your caravan layout), removable baskets and dividers to organize food, and extras like integrated bottle openers on some portable models.
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Ample Freezer Capability: Many 12V fridge freezers have true freezer functionality, reaching about -18 °C if needed. This lets travellers keep frozen goods or make ice even when living out of a caravan. Some units are dual zone, meaning they have two compartments that can be set to different temperatures (one as a freezer, one as a fridge). Others (called “combi” fridge/freezers) have a single cabinet split into a fridge section and a smaller freezer section. For example, an upright 80 L caravan fridge typically includes a separate freezer box of ~10,15 L within the unit. This gives you an ice compartment for frozen veggies, ice cream, or ice cubes, while the rest is refrigerator space. The benefit is having refrigeration and freezing in one appliance off-grid. And if you don’t need a freezer at certain times, some models allow you to turn off the freezer section to save energy.
- Food Safety and Comfort on the Road: All these technical features add up to the primary user benefit: you can travel further and for longer with fresh food, cold drinks, and minimized food spoilage. In the Australian context, this is a game-changer , you’re not forced to rely on esky ice or canned food when crossing the outback. A good 12V caravan fridge freezer keeps meat, dairy, fruit and veg safely chilled and gives you some of the comforts of home (like a cold beverage or frozen treats) even at a remote campsite. Serious off-grid travellers appreciate that modern compressor fridges remove the uncertainty of cooling , if you have battery power, the fridge will do its job regardless of outside conditions, which lets you focus on the journey.
CARAC’s Range of 12V/24V Fridge Freezers
CARAC offers a wide range of 12V/24V caravan fridges and freezers, including industry-leading brands Thetford, Engel and myCOOLMAN, known for their performance in Australian conditions.
Thetford: Best known for caravan appliances, Thetford produces a line of upright compressor fridges that are excellent for installing in caravans, camper trailers, and motorhomes. These DC fridges are designed to replace older 3-way fridges with a more efficient 12V solution. For example, the Thetford DE105 is a 105L upright compressor fridge (90L fridge + 15L freezer) that runs on 12/24 V DC power. It’s a flush-mount design with a reversible door and a black front panel for a modern look. One of its standout specs is energy efficiency , it consumes around 0.7 kWh per 24 h in 32 °C ambient conditions, which is very reasonable for a fridge of this size (by comparison, many absorption fridges would use significantly more gas or struggle to maintain temperature in that heat). Thetford fridges feature automatic temperature control, quiet operation, and strong door latches to keep everything secure in transit. They don’t require external ventilation like absorption fridges do, just some space for the compressor to breathe at the back, simplifying installation. CARAC can supply Thetford models ranging roughly from 40L to 174L (various sizes for different RV layouts). These are ideal for those refitting a caravan for better off-grid performance, as they eliminate the need for gas and deliver home-like cooling on battery power.
>> Shop All Thetford Fridges and Parts <<
Engel: A legendary name in Australia, Engel has been producing portable fridges for decades. Engel fridges are famed for their Sawafuji swing motor compressor, which is exceptionally robust and efficient. Their portable Chest Fridge/Freezers (15L, 21L, 32L, 39L up to 40L) are built with steel cases and are truly off-road capable , many outback travellers swear by Engel for its reliability. For example, the Engel 39L Combi (MT-V45FC) has a split fridge/freezer and boasts very low power draw (0.5,2.7 A DC) and a five-year warranty, indicating the confidence in its build quality. Engel also makes upright compressor fridges (e.g. 40L, 57L, 80 L models) which feature automatic 12/24V ↔ 240V switching, reversible doors, and fully flush mounting , ideal for caravan interiors. An Engel 80L upright draws only about 2.5 A at 12 V (30 W) when cooling, yet provides a separate freezer compartment for convenience. Overall, Engel’s focus is on rugged reliability and low power use, making them a top choice for remote Australian travel.
>> Shop all ENGEL Fridges and Parts <<
myCOOLMAN: An Australian brand that has recently grown in popularity, myCOOLMAN offers high-tech portable fridge/freezers. These fridges are known for combining toughness with modern features. The myCOOLMAN 20 “Recreational Series” is a great example , it has reinforced corners and integrated handles for durability, runs on 12 or 24 V DC and offers user-friendly touches. With a 19.3-litre capacity (holding up to 24 cans), this unit features a clear digital display, three-stage battery protection, and efficient DC power operation. Uniquely, myCOOLMAN fridges can be paired with an optional magnetically attached battery, allowing truly portable use away from your vehicle. Importantly, these fridges include a 3-level battery protection system to avoid draining your car battery. They also feature Bluetooth connectivity, so you can monitor and adjust the temperature via a smartphone app. myCOOLMAN backs their products with a 3-year full warranty, reflecting a high build quality.
>> Shop All myCOOLMAN Fridges and Parts <<
We are here to help!
At CARAC, we’ve been working with 12V and 24V fridges for decades, helping Australian travellers stay cool and self-sufficient on the road. Whether you're upgrading your caravan, planning an off-grid adventure, or replacing an old unit, our experienced team is here to help. We’re always happy to assist with selecting the right fridge for your setup, and we can advise on installation and long-term maintenance to ensure peak performance. Visit us in-store or online – we’re ready to help you find the perfect fit.