VANCOOL 85L Compression Refrigerator — The large compact 12V/24V fridge for panel van conversions and Motorhomes
The 85-liter Refrigerator that combines true residential living capacity with a reasonable footprint in a conversion. 78 L usable (70 L refrigeration + 8 L freezing), low consumption compressor at only 48 W, silent night mode at 35 dB, electronic 5-level thermostat. Compliant with ECE R10, VASP homologation compatible.
Why choose the VANCOOL 85L
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78 L usable — real capacity to live several days without restocking (two people, 4-5 days of food autonomy depending on your routine).
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48 W compressor — controlled consumption, one of the best capacity/Watt ratios in its category.
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Night Mode 35 dB — almost inaudible operation when you sleep nearby.
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Electronic 5-level thermostat — fine temperature adjustment without imprecise mechanical buttons.
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Removable freezer compartment — removable to regain full capacity if you don’t use freezing.
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Native 12V / 24V — direct battery power without transformer, or 230V via dedicated voltage adapter.
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ECE R10 compliant — vehicle approved, VASP compatible.
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Internal furniture mounting — screwed from inside the fridge, no visible screws.
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2-year warranty.
📐 Technical specifications
Capacities and temperatures
- Total usable capacity: 78 L (refrigeration 70 L + freezing 8 L)
- Refrigerator temperature range: +5 °C to +15 °C
- Freezer temperature: −18 °C
- Defrost: manual
- Thermostat: electronic 5 levels
Power supply and performance
- Power supply: 12V or 24V (230V via dedicated inverter)
- Power consumption: 48 W
- Noise level in Night Mode: 35 dB
Dimensions and weight
- Dimensions (L × H × D): 475 × 630 × 545 mm
- Weight: 19.7 kg
- Packaging: 61 × 56 × 68 cm — 25 kg
Equipment
- Removable freezer compartment
- Internal fixing to furniture (screws from the inside)
Approval and documentation
For which fit-out
The VANCOOL 85L is the fridge for van and Motorhome residential use: large enough to store several days of food for two people, yet still reasonable in footprint (47.5 × 54.5 cm on the floor). It naturally fits into:
- L2H2 and L3H2 panel van conversions where a real living fridge is sought
- Standard Motorhomes on 12V/24V configuration
- Full-time Campervans with significant food storage needs
- Inhabited boats on service battery
For a short panel van or a compact kitchenette, consider our VanCool DCR50 (50 L). For a large family residential fit-out, look at the 90 L to 105 L models.
Consumption and battery autonomy
With a consumption of 48 W at nominal operation and a compressor that does not run continuously (cycles about 30-50% of the time depending on outside temperature), expect on average 15-25 Ah per 24 h on a 12 V battery.
With a LiFePO4 100 Ah battery (1280 Wh usable at 95% discharge), you get about 3 to 5 days of autonomy with the fridge alone, without solar input or alternator. With a 200 Ah, expect 6 to 10 days under the same conditions. The Night Mode further reduces consumption during the longest period without solar input.
The removable freezer compartment
You don’t use freezing daily? The freezer compartment is physically removable — you then recover the full refrigeration capacity over the entire usable volume. Reversible at any time according to your needs (holidays with ice and frozen goods, return home without freezing).
Installation
The VANCOOL 85L can be installed recessed or placed in a dedicated cabinet. Three points to respect:
Ventilation — leave at least 5 cm of space behind the condenser and 2-3 cm on the sides for heat dissipation. Without this, the compressor runs more, consumes more, and the device ages prematurely.
Power supply — 12V/24V cable from the leisure battery with a proper fuse (see the manual). Sufficient cable gauge to limit voltage drops, especially if the installation is far from the battery.
Mounting — screwing from inside the fridge into the furniture, which avoids visible screws on the sides. Important on rough roads to prevent the unit from moving.
⁉️ Frequently asked questions
Q: What’s the difference with the VanCool DCR50 (50 L)? A: The DCR50 is more compact (50 L) with automatic defrost and a latest generation GMCC compressor. The SVR 85L is larger (85 L) with manual defrost and lower consumption (48 W vs 65 W). The choice depends on the capacity you need and user comfort.
Q: Is manual defrosting inconvenient? A: Expect a defrost every 2-3 months with normal use. The procedure takes 1-2 hours (empty the fridge, unplug, let it defrost, wipe, plug back in). It’s less automatic than cyclic defrosting but avoids associated electronic failures.
Q: Is it compatible with 230V? A: Yes, via our dedicated 230V-12V voltage adapter (180 W) — useful for campsite hookups or testing the fridge at home before installation.
Q: Is it compatible with VASP registration? A: Yes. The provided ECE R10 certificate covers the vehicle approval requirement for electrical equipment in French VASP.
Q: What does the 35 dB Quiet Night Mode mean? A: It is quieter than a whisper (40 dB) and comparable to the noise of a quiet library. Next to the bed in a van, you won’t hear it.
The fridge that truly equips your van
If you are looking for the right balance between usable capacity, controlled consumption, and a reasonable footprint, the VANCOOL 85L is the direct option. 78 L of storage, 48 W compressor, Quiet Night Mode, R10 compliant — everything you need to turn your conversion into a self-sufficient living space for several days.
