How does a 12V compressor fridge work?
- Date Published: 16 June 2025
- Bushman
- DC-X Upright (50L, 65L, 85L, 130L), DC-L Upright (190L), Drawer (30L), Roadie (15L), OG Bushman (35L, 52L)
Main components that make up a 12V fridge
A 12V compressor fridge is similar to a normal fridge in your home but they are designed to use only 12 volts of power so they can run efficiently in your caravan, boat, RV or while camping. A compressor system circulates refrigerant through the fridge to cool it down, while the fridge also actively removes any heat.
A simple refrigeration system is made up of 6 main components that make it run efficiently.
1.Compressor (Pump)
The compressor’s job is to pump the refrigerant gas through the refrigeration system. It increases the pressure of the gas in order to change the temperature. The compressor does not run all the time, it only runs when the fridge needs to get colder. It is the job of the thermostat to monitor the fridge temperature and tell the compressor when to start and when to stop. The compressor is the most expensive component of a fridge. 12v fridges use a specialised low-power compressor, compared to a standard household fridge.
2. Thermostat
The thermostat measures the internal temperature of your 12v fridge. When the temperature gets too high, the thermostat tells the compressor to start. Once the thermostat detects that the temperature has reached the set level, it tells the compressor to stop.
3. Evaporator (Cooling element)
The evaporator, also known as a cooling element, is a metal plate which gets freezing cold as the compressor pumps the refrigerant through a series of coils inside it. You will find the evaporator inside the fridge.
4. Condenser (Heat exchanger)
The condenser is the part where all the heat goes. It sits on the outside of the fridge and transfers heat to the outside air. A condenser will often have a fan blowing over it to help the heat dissipate.
5. Expansion valve
The expansion valve simply changes the refrigerant pressure from high to low once it has been through the system.
6. Refrigerant
Refrigerant is the magic gas which is pumped around the cooling system. When it’s pumped by the compressor into the condenser it gets squashed, and all the heat builds up inside it. This heat is transferred to the outside air. From here the refrigerant travels through an Expansion Valve which lets it un-compress and expand. When it expands it loses heat, so as it travels from the expansion valve through the evaporator it gets colder and absorbs the heat from inside the fridge. This is the end of the journey as the refrigerant travels back to the compressor to start all over again.
Benefits of a 12V compressor fridge
Here are some benefits of a 12v compressor refrigerator
- Runs efficiently on only 12v of power.
- Very low power usage.
- Often come in smaller sizes (as well as some larger 12v fridges) so ideal for camping, caravans, boats, RVs etc.
- More stable than gas fridges that typically go in homes, which makes them a great choice for mobile homes.
- Cools down quickly.
Read more about the differences between gas fridges and 12v fridges.
Top Selling 12V Compressor Fridges
What Next?
-
Free Shipping -
3-5 Year Warranty
-
Easy Customer Service
-
Australian Owned & Operated
-
Free Shipping -
3-5 Year Warranty -
Easy Customer Service -
Australian Owned & Operated
