When exciting technical innovations come onto the market, we are usually looking forward to the opportunity to test these new products. We were particularly pleased that we were able to test Secop’s brand new BD Nano DC compressor in an IndelB refrigerator because this advanced technology massively reduces the noise in recreational vehicles and is intended to ensure significantly more comfort. This is why we tested the compressor intensively.
The test fridge IndelB Slim 70
For our test we received an IndelB Slim 70L refrigerator. The IndelB Slim 70L is a compressor fridge with a capacity of 70 liters, specially developed for space-saving installation in vehicles with limited interiors. Its design allows for use in space, which is comparable to that of a household refrigerator. With a height of 822 mm, a width of 420 mm and a depth of 469 mm, it offers a compact design with a weight of 20 kilograms. The refrigerator operates with a voltage of 12 or 24 volts of direct current, consumes an average of 0.29 kWh in 24 hours and uses the environmentally friendly refrigerant R600a.
Good technical equipment
The features of the refrigerator include an LED display, which offers energy-saving modes and the so-called “Silent Night” function in addition to the temperature display. The latter is intended to reduce operating noise and ensure low-noise operation at night. The door design is customizable and the opening direction can be changed depending on the location. In addition, the refrigerator is equipped with a special handle, which allows a ventilation lock to ensure sufficient ventilation when the device is switched off. Thanks to the Easy-Fix system, the installation is uncomplicated and fast.
Especially the possibility of low-noise operation and the space-saving design make it a practical solution for mobile applications such as campers, vans or other RVs with limited space. Accordingly, this refrigerator is the perfect test refrigerator. It is compact, lightweight and can be easily replaced compared to already built-in refrigerators.
Core element of refrigerator: the BD Nano AC air compressor from Secop
The advantages offered by the refrigerator in terms of operating noise and energy efficiency are achieved through the use of the new BD Nano DC compressor from Secop. This completely newly developed compressor was developed especially for mobile use, with a large focus on noise development. More precisely, the lack of noise. The BD Nano should become significantly quieter than comparable systems. For this purpose, its construction was redesigned and various technical changes, such as dampers and suspensions on relevant components, ensure a reduction in noise generation.
At the same time he became extremely small. It is not larger than an apple, which is new sizes for e.g. Refrigerators allowed themselves. Its weight is only 1.5 kilograms! Exciting detail: The BD Nano uses the climate-friendly R600a coolant in a few versions. It isobutane, which has a much lower global warming potential than other coolants. The use in household appliances is also due to an initiative of Greenpeace.
By the way, a brushless motor is used in the compressor itself. All these technical features should make the compressor very energy-efficient. We have taken a close look at this point, because it stands and falls with it in a mobile solution in RVs.
The BD Nano is the heart of the new IndelB Slim 70. The small compressor, it is only as large as an apple, makes the cooling performance of the refrigerator possible.
Our test setting
The refrigerator should be tested realistically to check the noise, but also to realistically recognize the energy consumption. In this sense, it was exposed to a test environment that was consistently warm 31C to 32C. This simulated the use on holiday, for example in Portugal or Tuscany. The interior temperature was set at the third level of the refrigerator. We have written down at what temperatures the refrigerator reached. We use a total of four Bluetooth thermometers to validate the temperature in the refrigerator and the constant outside temperature. The data of these sensors were logged. Empty and temperature were up to -20C degrees in the frozen area and 6.8C degrees on average in the conventional cooling range in the third setting. These are good values for everyday holiday life. You can safely accommodate in the large cooler, and we find it really quite large, ice and other frozen.
Test of energy consumption
In addition, we measured the energy consumption. We were able to measure the maximum electricity, but also the average fuel consumption. We tested a total of two weeks. During these two weeks the refrigerator ran permanently in the mentioned environment. The aim of the test was to test the usual use of the refrigerator by a family on a camping holiday in a warm environment. We opened the refrigerator for breakfast, lunch and dinner twice to remove the food and insert it again. In addition, the refrigerator was opened four more times. The time in which the door was each open was almost 20 seconds. After our own years of camping experience, this is a very realistic test picture.
In another test, it was checked how long the refrigerator takes to cool food. We started from the following scenario: The foods were purchased, cheese, sausage and yogurt were chilled and warmed up to almost 15 to 19 degrees during transport. Water in a 1.5L bottle was 30C warm. We could measure how long it takes for all food to cool to 6 degrees. Of course, we also measured the peak currents.
Test results of energy tests
As a maximum current we have measured 2.56 amps. This is extremely little and can therefore be considered a very good value, which means that even smaller electrical systems in self-expands or other campervans are by no means overloaded. This value is not exceeded even when the compressor starts. In general, we realize that the refrigerator is very energy-efficient.
To enable a reference value, we specify our measured values in amp hours. This can be compared with your own battery capacity in the camper. Anyone who operates the refrigerator with shore power will find these values rather less interesting, but all those who are self-sufficient will see at first glance how long their supply battery would be.
Results (24 hours, refrigerator permanently closed)
Cooling stage 1 – 32.64 Ah (8-9 degrees Celsius in the cooling range, -12 to -14 degrees in the freezer)
Cooling stage 2 – 35,40 Ah (7-8 degrees Celsius in the cooling range, -14 to -17 degrees in the deep nose)
Cooling level 3 – 38.40 Ah (5-6 degrees Celsius in the cooling area; – 18 to – 20 degrees in the deep ching range)
Cooling stage 4 – 53.40 Ah (3-4 degrees Celsius in the cooling area, up to – 25 degrees in the deep-freeze area)
Result (24 hours, open 10 times and closed, each open 20 seconds)
Cooling stage 3 – 47,52 Ah
You can see that in level 3, with normal use in everyday life, you can stand completely self-sufficiently for a little more than two days if you operate the refrigerator with a 100 amp hour LiFePo4 battery. If you also load additionally by solar system, it is probably possible to easily spend five to six days.
Cooling food
The fridge relaxes to cool all the food to 6C to 8C degrees in under two hours. Here lies the huge advantage over absorber cooling cabinets. These need significantly longer and sometimes even fail completely. This happens when the temperature difference is too large. But a compressor refrigerator like the IndelB Slim 70 does not know this problem. It simply runs through and its own sensor technology detects when the interior has the right temperature.
Test results in terms of noise development
Due to its design and the use of the new BD Nano compressor, the IndelB Slim 70 is significantly quieter than you are used to from other refrigerators. So really quieter! When the compressor starts, there is no snap, almost popping noise. You can hear something, but this sound is softer, much more normal than the violent starting sound of old refrigerators. Started, the compressor continues to work almost inaudibly. But only almost. The IndelB Slim 70 does not work quite silently with the BD Nano. However, at a small distance of perhaps one and a half meters, the operating noise is only perceptible with pointed ears. This is a terrific success of the engineers, since every source of noise is annoying, especially in small RVs.
Of course, it should be noted that absorber refrigerators work completely silently, but for a long time do not achieve the power of compressor refrigerators such as the IndelB Slim 70. Since such a quiet system is available with this new compressor refrigerator, our eyes eliminate the existence of electric absorber refrigerators. Also because the above-mentioned energy tests have yielded such low values. Because: Absorbers consume significantly more.
Test results in night mode
We also take a close look at the night mode. If you activate this mode, the performance of the refrigerator is reduced. The basic consideration is that it should become cooler outside on the one hand and the refrigerator remains permanently closed. Then it takes less use of the cooling system, which further reduces the runtimes of the compressor. You really notice that. However, since the basic volume is already so low, the difference is small—nevertheless you like to use the night mode.
We have measured precisely in terms of the energy consumed. Basically, it is shown that the values are decreasing. Only: several factors seem to have an effect here. In fact, energy saving varied from the test cycle in terms of altitude. Not a problem for us, because a saving was always measurable.
What happens if the electricity is short?
In some places you’ll know the problem quickly—the battery has been drained and all devices are therefore out. We simulated this power failure with the IndelB and noticed that it automatically jumps back and uses the previously selected settings.
Our Conclusion of the Test IndelB Slim 70
In fact, the IndelB Slim 70 convinced in our test completely. The performance of the BD Nano compressor is very good. Even in as warm as our test environment, it can keep the temperatures inside the refrigerator safe. It does not consume too much, does not overload the network in the camper and remains decently quiet. The IndelB Slim 70 with the new BD Nano compressor from Secop is a great refrigerator, which we can recommend without limitation. The refrigerator costs around 1,000 euros and is available from all major retailers.
This article first appeared in Van Life Magazine, a German publication, in December 2024 and is published here in North America with permission.
Sounds promising. Mike, did you use AI to compose this article? The writing style is not your normal. Just some little things.
No, I didn’t write it. It’s a republication of an article published in Europe. See the postscript.