New onboard fridge compressor for EVs

German compressor manufacturer Secop has unveiled the BD Nano, a cutting-edge silent compressor designed for battery-driven applications such as motorhomes and electric vehicles.

Secop anticipates that the BD Nano will boost the performance of in-car compressor refrigerators, such as those found in electric vehicles like the Kia EV5, which has a four-litre capacity, and the Zeekr X, capable of maintaining temperatures as low as -15ºC.

Primarily designed to store drinks and small snacks, Secop expects the BD Nano will amplify the adoption of on-board refrigerators thanks to its increased space flexibility and powerful cooling capacity.

Secop says the BD Nano operates more quietly on the move, with a 6dB/A reduction compared to its predecessor, the BD Micro. It also includes additional filters to minimise electromagnetic interference and meets ISO 16750 equipment approval standards.

Weighing 1.5kg and with a height of just 9.3cm, the BD Nano is 40 per cent shorter, 67 per cent lighter, and consumes 20 per cent less power (at 5.26 amps) than Secop’s larger 4.5kg legacy BD35F/50F/35K compressors. 

Despite this, it maintains an equivalent capacity, effectively cooling nearly 150 litres of refrigerator space and standing out as the most powerful compressor in its class. Secop attributes the compact design of this compressor to innovative features, including a novel stability and lubrication concept, a smaller muffler, a miniaturised motor, and improved valves.

This new variable-speed compressor has a range of control options including adaptable AC/DC controllers that can intelligently recognise the incoming voltage, for seamless transitions between battery power, mains electricity or solar power where available.

A couple of variants are available; the standard model, ‘BD45F’, which utilises R1234yf or R134a refrigerant, commonly used in DC compressor refrigerators, and the ‘BD50K’ model, which employs R600a (isobutane). 

The BD Nano is available through three Australian wholesale suppliers: Beijer Ref, Actrol Parts and Airefrig.