I did ask myself why a Fridge would need a padded cover, if in fact it is designed for our climate.
Cheers all. KB
28 litre fridge per hour, ambient 35°C, fridge set at +2°C
0.0140 kW/h The uncovered fridge. 0.0132 kW/h Standard cover. 0.0116 kW/h 30mm XPS foam. 0.0082 kW/h 60mm XPS foam
Mike Harding said
06:35 AM Oct 20, 2019
Whenarewethere wrote:
28 litre fridge per hour, ambient 35°C, fridge set at +2°C
0.0140 kW/h The uncovered fridge. 0.0132 kW/h Standard cover. 0.0116 kW/h 30mm XPS foam. 0.0082 kW/h 60mm XPS foam
30mm only saves 3Ah per day over the standard cover and is hardly worth the trouble imo.
60mm however saves 10Ah and is certainly worthwhile - trouble is you now have a very large box to accommodate.
Whenarewethere said
08:27 AM Oct 20, 2019
At the time I was trying to work out how reduce energy as I have no room in the engine bay for an auxiliary battery. We sleep in the car so had to find somewhere for the battery.
It is easier to move a larger fridge than battery each night & back to the boot in the morning. So in the end I use a fridge cover with Velcro exhaust side & 20 to 30mm of foam which adds very little weight. Replaced fan with a much better quality fan.
For boats they go a lot further, 150mm to 200mm is their aim as they have more room.
We had previously insulated the home hot water system & energy loss scrapes in under 1kWh per 24 hours simply to keep the tank hot. It was about 1.8kWh per 24 hours.
So I thought if I can save energy heating I should be able to save energy cooling.
-- Edited by Whenarewethere on Sunday 20th of October 2019 08:44:54 AM
Direct light, esp behind glass, is the really heat generator. Cover your fridge and other items with a reflective material and create flow through ventilation for the area where your fridge is located. I use an old windshield sun screen and crack two windows on opposite sides when camped. A forward facing sliding window is always opened a tiny bit when travelling.
Whenarewethere said
04:12 PM Oct 20, 2019
I have cut out windscreen sun screens to fit every window, mostly for the night but also use them in day on the side the sun is hitting the car. (Double thickness for the windscreen)
As said above, ventilation, leaving windows open a touch with window wind/rain deflectors reduces heat build up in the car substantially.
Insulating the ceiling in the car, this also makes a big difference. I never thought that that much heat came through the ceiling until I insulated it.
When it is really hot we chuck a feather down sleeping bag over the fridge making sure it still has good air flow. It is surprising how much difference this makes.
Its all well and good to go chasing a bit of power saving but at what expense. Not talking money but time and effort some people put in to minor saving. Like chasing the sun with panels, buggar that, I have better things do with my time. Just put in an extra panel. My evacool would be 60mm thick standard I reckon. I just want to relax an not be troubled by any of it. We used to go for week with a swag and esky and a couple bags of ice, eat the things that go off quickest, first, beer in the creek was drinkable. Getting to complexed now
cheers
blaze
Whenarewethere said
06:46 PM Oct 20, 2019
We sleep in the car so things have to fit in the limited space. We can't get a bigger car as it won't fit in the garage & street parking was already a nightmare a decade ago & we don't want to move house.
The ice in our old custom made esky lasted 10 days but after that we were stuffed & bought ice doesn't work. So improving an off the shelf product was the next easiest solution.
I did look at refrigerator kits & Aerogel insulation, money is not an issue, but wasn't able to get it as compact as hacking a fridge. Now I've done one it's easy to do a replacement when required.
T1 Terry said
02:50 PM Oct 21, 2019
As a side note, reflecting insulation to keep heat out works best on the outside of the window. With the reflective insulation on the inside of the glass, it gets heated twice due to the reflection heating the inside while the sun heats the outside. This heat then auto syphons pulling colder air in under the insulation layer and pumps it out the top. Stop the glass getting hot by insulating on the outside will greatly improve the efficiency and keep the interior cooler.
'Naturally, the opposite is the case in winter unless frost/ice is expected, then it's better to stop the ice building up on the window by insulating the outside as well as the inside.
T1 Terry
montie said
08:19 PM Oct 24, 2019
PetenSue wrote:
Hi Darren, Engel is the only camping fridge I would consider. But I would shop around for pricing and dont rely on camping shops for the lowest prices. I see in your intro post you are from south east QLD. Ive bought several Engel fridges over the years from a truck dealership in Toowoomba. A lot cheaper than camping shops!!!! If you are near Toowoomba at least try Westco truck sales. You can haggle with them a bit more than a purely retail outlet like bcf. You could save a few pennies and buy a cheaper brand but what do you do when your fridge dies in the middle of nowhere?? Its all good to have a fantastic warranty, in the meantime you lose your food on your way back to a city to get a new one !! Regards Pete.
IMO the best camping electric fridge on the market is definitely an Engel. As the ad says (not sure about the tax) "unbreakable".
My 'ol mate Roger Browne from ARB donated an Engel for my Simpson Desert crossing in 1981 which was carried in the back of my BJ40 (no tax).
I cannot remember the number of times the old Engel exlted the rear door as I charged the sand dunes in a 4 cyl non turbo 4wd and rolled all the way down the dune...beer included...only to be rescued and firmly replaced in the back of th BJ.
That battered and bruised Engel now keeps my beer cold at my holiday house 38 years later.
Buy an Engel!
-- Edited by montie on Thursday 24th of October 2019 08:34:17 PM
Don't try that with a new Engel Monty, you won't have that sort of "never say die" performance from it. The old/early Engel's were worth their weight in silver, they were still heavy so gold was just a tad too much :lol: These days there are better, more reliable and more efficient on the market for less $$ that make less vibration noise and pull the temperature lower much faster. They might have been unbeatable once upon a time, but time has caught up and past them. If the technology remains the same it will be left behind by the innovators who develop better technology to catch and then pass the rivals.
Modern day fridge freezers are the same, once upon a time the 3 way ruled the bush, then the 12v compressor fridge, now the 240vac inverter fridge leaves them for dead in efficiency, ability to operate in extreme heat, long life and price. Times change and the manufacturers that attempt to rely on their former glory are left behind in the dust
T1 Terry
montie said
02:24 PM Oct 25, 2019
T1 Terry wrote:
Don't try that with a new Engel Monty, you won't have that sort of "never say die" performance from it. The old/early Engel's were worth their weight in silver, they were still heavy so gold was just a tad too much :lol: These days there are better, more reliable and more efficient on the market for less $$ that make less vibration noise and pull the temperature lower much faster. They might have been unbeatable once upon a time, but time has caught up and past them. If the technology remains the same it will be left behind by the innovators who develop better technology to catch and then pass the rivals. Modern day fridge freezers are the same, once upon a time the 3 way ruled the bush, then the 12v compressor fridge, now the 240vac inverter fridge leaves them for dead in efficiency, ability to operate in extreme heat, long life and price. Times change and the manufacturers that attempt to rely on their former glory are left behind in the dust
T1 Terry
I hear what you are saying Terry but I would still look at an engel.
I have a newer model at home as a beer fridge and never had an ounce of trouble with it in 10 years. As you pointed out the compressor is a tad noisy but it's away from the house so that doesn't bother me.
darjak said
05:50 PM Oct 25, 2019
Agree with T1 about the new engel's had the 80/l bought in '06.
Repaired it at 10 mths, broke down 2yrs later, cost $500 then
again 18 mths later thru it in the tip.
Replaced with Techniice 80/l duel zone, 6yrs australia wide part &
labour warranty full stainless and when I bought it was only $1k not $1.9k.
I now never have a cold beer and fridge cycles in 40+C temps doesn't
run 24/7 like the engel did.
Running temps -18 freezer, fridge 1.
Darjak
T1 Terry said
01:05 PM Oct 26, 2019
darjak wrote:
Agree with T1 about the new engel's had the 80/l bought in '06. Repaired it at 10 mths, broke down 2yrs later, cost $500 then again 18 mths later thru it in the tip. Replaced with Techniice 80/l duel zone, 6yrs australia wide part & labour warranty full stainless and when I bought it was only $1k not $1.9k. I now never have a cold beer and fridge cycles in 40+C temps doesn't run 24/7 like the engel did. Running temps -18 freezer, fridge 1.
Darjak
Is that because you can't afford to buy beer now after the $2,000 plus losses from the Engel :lol: Hopefully you mean the beer is always cold and that is the important part, making ice for the honey whiskey is a bonus and if the food can be packed in around the essentials even the boss is happy
T1 Terry
darjak said
11:55 AM Oct 27, 2019
T1 you're right I should proof read before submitting.
You don't need an education to put another brick in the wall.
Real cold beer is important.
Darjak
Warren-Pat_01 said
10:23 AM Oct 29, 2019
My 60L Trailblazer was 22 years old when the power unit failed (bought just after the Brisbane Expo in 1988). The new power unit draws a bit more power but still performs well in all external temperatures.
At the time Engels were lacking insulation, the eutectric Autofridge was more expensive & the TB was about the best of the "bunch".
vik351 said
03:24 PM Jun 20, 2022
So who is using a domestic fridge with inverter technology through their inverter these days ...???
Makes ya wonder,, 5 or 6 hundred bucks compared to 3k for a 12 /240 volt under bench job ...
And bold folk bin there done that , lookin at a Haier 198 ltr at the mo , but read a couple reviews ,not real flash ...???
LG's smallest I can find is a 254 ltr ,gettin a bit big for my LWB Sprinter ...???
Any ideas ...???
vik ...
KJB said
03:35 PM Jun 20, 2022
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
My 60L Trailblazer was 22 years old when the power unit failed (bought just after the Brisbane Expo in 1988). The new power unit draws a bit more power but still performs well in all external temperatures. At the time Engels were lacking insulation, the eutectric Autofridge was more expensive & the TB was about the best of the "bunch".
Our 80 litre TrailBlaza is still in use (as a freezer or fridge) at home .....bought new in 1988 also. Tough unit. Great "Backup Service " as well. KB
littledick said
05:45 PM Jun 20, 2022
I have had both an Engel and Waeco. I got rid of the Waeco as it did not compare to the Engel fridge or freezer settings.
Had the Engel about 15 years now and can't fault, however, if it carked it, I would look at the Brass Monkey. Friends have it and quite good plus it fits under the Wildtrak tray+ battery as well.
Dick.
vik351 said
07:09 PM Jun 20, 2022
littledick wrote:
I have had both an Engel and Waeco. I got rid of the Waeco as it did not compare to the Engel fridge or freezer settings.
Had the Engel about 15 years now and can't fault, however, if it carked it, I would look at the Brass Monkey. Friends have it and quite good plus it fits under the Wildtrak tray+ battery as well.
Dick.
Does it have a defrost function ....??? Heard some dripper stories that didnt sound too good
vik...
Whenarewethere said
08:10 PM Jun 20, 2022
vik351 wrote:
So who is using a domestic fridge with inverter technology through their inverter these days ...???
Makes ya wonder,, 5 or 6 hundred bucks compared to 3k for a 12 /240 volt under bench job ...
And bold folk bin there done that , lookin at a Haier 198 ltr at the mo , but read a couple reviews ,not real flash ...???
LG's smallest I can find is a 254 ltr ,gettin a bit big for my LWB Sprinter ...???
Any ideas ...???
vik ...
There are quite a few using domestic fridges with an inverter. It's been discussed recently, use a small dedicated inverter just for the fridge for efficiency. If you need a large inverter for cooking then get one for that task.
Gundog said
10:23 AM Jun 21, 2022
vik351 wrote:
So who is using a domestic fridge with inverter technology through their inverter these days ...???
Makes ya wonder,, 5 or 6 hundred bucks compared to 3k for a 12 /240 volt under bench job ...
And bold folk bin there done that , lookin at a Haier 198 ltr at the mo , but read a couple reviews ,not real flash ...???
LG's smallest I can find is a 254 ltr ,gettin a bit big for my LWB Sprinter ...???
Any ideas ...???
vik ...
Hi Vik,
Almost 7 years ago I chucked out my 90ltr 3 way and replaced it with a Samsung DI 228ltr domestic fridge.
Fridge cost $290 new, Vicron 350va Inverter new for about $100, 3x100watt solar panel, a Morningstar Solar controller, a 2nd 100ah battery along with meters of 6B&S cable and anderson plugs. I didnt add up the total cost but bit over a grand.
best mod i've done
vik351 said
12:53 PM Jun 21, 2022
" use a small dedicated inverter just for the fridge for efficiency "
Now thats an idea...??? I have a 2000 inverter now and will have an induction cook top and 12 /240 volt water heater ... Dont mind turning off the water heater when using the stove or micro, but the fridge must stay on , too easy to forget ya turned it off in my senior years ...
So gundog, is that fridge DI 228 job inverter tec, ? seems a bit old for that ??? So doesnt suck too much juice then it would seem ...
Yep, reckon I will go the domestic way , does the door open when ya drive ...??? not that would be a big deal to cure ...
vik...
Gundog said
01:59 PM Jun 21, 2022
vik351 wrote:
So gundog, is that fridge DI 228 job inverter tec, Yes its an Digital Inverter
? seems a bit old for that ??? They had been around for a couple of years before I got mine
So doesnt suck too much juice then it would seem ...I had meter on it for a week mid summer 65amps per 24hrs with solar recharge
Yep, reckon I will go the domestic way , does the door open when ya drive ...??? No 2 child proof locks from the big green shed
not that would be a big deal to cure ...
vik...
-- Edited by Gundog on Tuesday 21st of June 2022 02:02:05 PM
Sandyfreckle said
05:03 PM Jun 21, 2022
I'm looking to buy a 2 door fridge freezer combo unit..., something around 60 or 70 litres...., something that will handle corrugated back tracks.
Cant seem to decide on one...., YET.
oldbloke said
02:00 PM Jun 23, 2022
BCF have welcomed 40ltr atm for about $440 fir members.. just sight up when u buy it
Hylife said
08:39 PM Jun 26, 2022
Have an 8 year old 60L Chinese made Waeco clone (6th Gear). $400
Same Chinese made Danfoss compressor, same Chinese made electronics (probably from the same Waeco factory like diesel heaters).
Hasn't missed a beat. Has been in the back of the fourby over every one of the worst roads in Oz.
I've always run it as a freezer in the main compartment at minus 15C and the smaller fridge compartment just gets overflow cold at 4C.
Works a treat.
littledick said
08:24 AM Jun 30, 2022
PetenSue wrote:
Well Im sorry I recommended Engel fridges. Judging by the replies Im just lucky none of my four Engels has ever failed. One of them(in my work ute) rarely ever gets turned off. Cant see myself ever commenting on this type of thing ever again. And cant help but wonder what this Toyota tax bull**** is about. This is a thread about camping fridges. Anyhow you live and learn. Regards Pete.
I have had my Engel about 15 years, never let me down. Had the Waeco at the same time got rid of it, couldn't compare to the Engel.
I take no notice of threads that have nothing to do with the listed comment as should you Pete. Always happens.
Dick.
Gundog said
08:40 AM Jun 30, 2022
I have a Companion Mammoth 65ltr 2 separate lidded compartment, can be used as all fridge, freezer or one of each, it been running 24/7 for the last 3 years.
vik351 said
04:40 PM Jul 2, 2022
Hmm , by builder wants me to get a Dometic CRX 110 , 107 Ltr Coolmax 12 ,240 volt job ...
Any news on those from yoy learned folk ...???
Better fit fot the TV ...bla bla , well it is a Sprinter Van ... !!!
Wont be gold mining for 10 wees at a time , so size should be ok
Just the defrost reports from some , or lack there of , is a bit of a worry.
If they melt on their own , but lookin at 400 AH of Litho ,so should be ok ...
vik...
-- Edited by vik351 on Saturday 2nd of July 2022 11:07:14 PM
Keith P said
05:47 PM Jul 2, 2022
I have a XTM 75 ? Litre 2 door camping fridge from BCF. Made under licence (honkong??) by evakool australia....and it goes like a rocket. Was about 790 bux( not exactly sure now ) from BCF at member price. Always seems to sit within 1 degree of settings on either fridge or freezer. Early days yet I reckon ....no probs so far at only 2 years old. It replaced a 2004 Evacool ED 70 which is still going well....but just would not fit where I wanted it in our 2021 Pajero....still have it as a workshop fridge.
Also have an upright 60 litre engel which was in our Cub camper for a while years ago ...went well...but a bit noisy at night near bed. Still like new ...and on the market as just not needed.
Asking about fridges on here is like which is the best dog...car ...woman etc ....and there is no uniform answer....altho I do know from a few friends we travel and socialise with that the newer models of nearly all the brands available 10-15 years ago are no where near as good today...which is why I am just a little suss of any new ones now
28 litre fridge per hour, ambient 35°C, fridge set at +2°C
0.0140 kW/h The uncovered fridge.
0.0132 kW/h Standard cover.
0.0116 kW/h 30mm XPS foam.
0.0082 kW/h 60mm XPS foam
28 litre fridge per hour, ambient 35°C, fridge set at +2°C
30mm only saves 3Ah per day over the standard cover and is hardly worth the trouble imo.
60mm however saves 10Ah and is certainly worthwhile - trouble is you now have a very large box to accommodate.
At the time I was trying to work out how reduce energy as I have no room in the engine bay for an auxiliary battery. We sleep in the car so had to find somewhere for the battery.
It is easier to move a larger fridge than battery each night & back to the boot in the morning. So in the end I use a fridge cover with Velcro exhaust side & 20 to 30mm of foam which adds very little weight. Replaced fan with a much better quality fan.
For boats they go a lot further, 150mm to 200mm is their aim as they have more room.
We had previously insulated the home hot water system & energy loss scrapes in under 1kWh per 24 hours simply to keep the tank hot. It was about 1.8kWh per 24 hours.
So I thought if I can save energy heating I should be able to save energy cooling.
-- Edited by Whenarewethere on Sunday 20th of October 2019 08:44:54 AM
I have cut out windscreen sun screens to fit every window, mostly for the night but also use them in day on the side the sun is hitting the car. (Double thickness for the windscreen)
As said above, ventilation, leaving windows open a touch with window wind/rain deflectors reduces heat build up in the car substantially.
Insulating the ceiling in the car, this also makes a big difference. I never thought that that much heat came through the ceiling until I insulated it.
When it is really hot we chuck a feather down sleeping bag over the fridge making sure it still has good air flow. It is surprising how much difference this makes.
cheers
blaze
We sleep in the car so things have to fit in the limited space. We can't get a bigger car as it won't fit in the garage & street parking was already a nightmare a decade ago & we don't want to move house.
The ice in our old custom made esky lasted 10 days but after that we were stuffed & bought ice doesn't work. So improving an off the shelf product was the next easiest solution.
I did look at refrigerator kits & Aerogel insulation, money is not an issue, but wasn't able to get it as compact as hacking a fridge. Now I've done one it's easy to do a replacement when required.
'Naturally, the opposite is the case in winter unless frost/ice is expected, then it's better to stop the ice building up on the window by insulating the outside as well as the inside.
T1 Terry
IMO the best camping electric fridge on the market is definitely an Engel. As the ad says (not sure about the tax) "unbreakable".
My 'ol mate Roger Browne from ARB donated an Engel for my Simpson Desert crossing in 1981 which was carried in the back of my BJ40 (no tax).
I cannot remember the number of times the old Engel exlted the rear door as I charged the sand dunes in a 4 cyl non turbo 4wd and rolled all the way down the dune...beer included...only to be rescued and firmly replaced in the back of th BJ.
That battered and bruised Engel now keeps my beer cold at my holiday house 38 years later.
Buy an Engel!
-- Edited by montie on Thursday 24th of October 2019 08:34:17 PM
Modern day fridge freezers are the same, once upon a time the 3 way ruled the bush, then the 12v compressor fridge, now the 240vac inverter fridge leaves them for dead in efficiency, ability to operate in extreme heat, long life and price. Times change and the manufacturers that attempt to rely on their former glory are left behind in the dust
T1 Terry
I hear what you are saying Terry but I would still look at an engel.
I have a newer model at home as a beer fridge and never had an ounce of trouble with it in 10 years. As you pointed out the compressor is a tad noisy but it's away from the house so that doesn't bother me.
Repaired it at 10 mths, broke down 2yrs later, cost $500 then
again 18 mths later thru it in the tip.
Replaced with Techniice 80/l duel zone, 6yrs australia wide part &
labour warranty full stainless and when I bought it was only $1k not $1.9k.
I now never have a cold beer and fridge cycles in 40+C temps doesn't
run 24/7 like the engel did.
Running temps -18 freezer, fridge 1.
Darjak
Is that because you can't afford to buy beer now after the $2,000 plus losses from the Engel :lol: Hopefully you mean the beer is always cold and that is the important part, making ice for the honey whiskey is a bonus and if the food can be packed in around the essentials even the boss is happy
T1 Terry
You don't need an education to put another brick in the wall.
Real cold beer is important.
Darjak
Makes ya wonder,, 5 or 6 hundred bucks compared to 3k for a 12 /240 volt under bench job ...
And bold folk bin there done that , lookin at a Haier 198 ltr at the mo , but read a couple reviews ,not real flash ...???
LG's smallest I can find is a 254 ltr ,gettin a bit big for my LWB Sprinter ...???
Any ideas ...???
vik ...
Our 80 litre TrailBlaza is still in use (as a freezer or fridge) at home .....bought new in 1988 also. Tough unit. Great "Backup Service " as well. KB
I have had both an Engel and Waeco. I got rid of the Waeco as it did not compare to the Engel fridge or freezer settings.
Had the Engel about 15 years now and can't fault, however, if it carked it, I would look at the Brass Monkey. Friends have it and quite good plus it fits under the Wildtrak tray+ battery as well.
Dick.
Does it have a defrost function ....??? Heard some dripper stories that didnt sound too good
vik...
There are quite a few using domestic fridges with an inverter. It's been discussed recently, use a small dedicated inverter just for the fridge for efficiency. If you need a large inverter for cooking then get one for that task.
Hi Vik,
Almost 7 years ago I chucked out my 90ltr 3 way and replaced it with a Samsung DI 228ltr domestic fridge.
Fridge cost $290 new, Vicron 350va Inverter new for about $100, 3x100watt solar panel, a Morningstar Solar controller, a 2nd 100ah battery along with meters of 6B&S cable and anderson plugs. I didnt add up the total cost but bit over a grand.
best mod i've done
Now thats an idea...??? I have a 2000 inverter now and will have an induction cook top and 12 /240 volt water heater ... Dont mind turning off the water heater when using the stove or micro, but the fridge must stay on , too easy to forget ya turned it off in my senior years ...
So gundog, is that fridge DI 228 job inverter tec, ? seems a bit old for that ??? So doesnt suck too much juice then it would seem ...
Yep, reckon I will go the domestic way , does the door open when ya drive ...??? not that would be a big deal to cure ...
vik...
-- Edited by Gundog on Tuesday 21st of June 2022 02:02:05 PM
Cant seem to decide on one...., YET.
Same Chinese made Danfoss compressor, same Chinese made electronics (probably from the same Waeco factory like diesel heaters).
Hasn't missed a beat. Has been in the back of the fourby over every one of the worst roads in Oz.
I've always run it as a freezer in the main compartment at minus 15C and the smaller fridge compartment just gets overflow cold at 4C.
Works a treat.
I have had my Engel about 15 years, never let me down. Had the Waeco at the same time got rid of it, couldn't compare to the Engel.
I take no notice of threads that have nothing to do with the listed comment as should you Pete. Always happens.
Dick.
I have a Companion Mammoth 65ltr 2 separate lidded compartment, can be used as all fridge, freezer or one of each, it been running 24/7 for the last 3 years.
Hmm , by builder wants me to get a Dometic CRX 110 , 107 Ltr Coolmax 12 ,240 volt job ...
Any news on those from yoy learned folk ...???
Better fit fot the TV ...bla bla , well it is a Sprinter Van ... !!!
Wont be gold mining for 10 wees at a time , so size should be ok
Just the defrost reports from some , or lack there of , is a bit of a worry.
If they melt on their own , but lookin at 400 AH of Litho ,so should be ok ...
vik...
-- Edited by vik351 on Saturday 2nd of July 2022 11:07:14 PM
Also have an upright 60 litre engel which was in our Cub camper for a while years ago ...went well...but a bit noisy at night near bed. Still like new ...and on the market as just not needed.
Asking about fridges on here is like which is the best dog...car ...woman etc ....and there is no uniform answer....altho I do know from a few friends we travel and socialise with that the newer models of nearly all the brands available 10-15 years ago are no where near as good today...which is why I am just a little suss of any new ones now
Cheers Keith