2nd 12v volt fridge choice ... ??

[Fluids]

I'm looking for a second fridge ... will put the ARB 47L that's in the KK back into the D2 on its DS40 drop slide. The ARB has been good, but was replaced under warranty with the thermistor issue 2 weeks before the warranty ran out. No quibbles, excellent service, new fridge + cover, been 2yrs since and its running like a swiss watch ... powered on all the time (on 240v) as a drink fridge in the KK when we're not touring ... and it's really good on power consumption. Very happy with the ARB.

I was leaning towards a 60L ARB as the second fridge to put into the KK. Helps that it's an end opening fridge (like the 47L) so it only needs to be slid out a bit to lift the lid and get into it ... or remove the lid making access very easy ... side opening fridges have the lid strike the underside of the gull wing box requiring the fridge be slid out 100% before being able to be opened ... and then the fridge is alongside the stove slide on the left, and the slide out kitchen bench on the right, making access difficult. The 60L ARB ticks all the boxes and is virtually the same stated power consumption as the 47L. (0.89A/Hr vs 0.87A/Hr average).

Curve ball ... son works for Drifta ... they do Evakool fridges (and Engel - not interested). The Evakool RF60 (white fibreglass model) they can do me in an end opening custom order for around $180 less than I can get the ARB (with cover and tie down kit). The RF60 doesn't need a cover but has an external 240-12v power supply (the ARB has 12v/240v always connected and auto-switches as required - The RF needs to be unplugged from 12v and plugged into the 240v power supply). The RF60 can run in a combi config' (22L feezer/38L fridge) or as a 60L fridge but if we have a 60L fridge the 47L could be run as a freezer if needed ... but to date we've never wanted for or needed a freezer (vacum seal all our meat and other stuff) ... and freezers hit the power useage up to maybe double what the fridge would be.

This is to support two people the majority of the time.

The RF60 seems to get good reports from all the research I've done, but maybe bad customer service reports where service or warranty is concerned. It's power useage as a fridge is comparable to the ARB and it appears to be a quality unit.

Any reason I should seriously pass-over the ARB 60L and consider the RF60 Evakool instead ?? The end open is no longer an issue with the custom build so the only other is the external 240v-12v power supply which is a bit of a put off ...

Any RF60 Evakool / 60L ARB users around with an opinion/real word experience ?? I know Evakool make excellent ice boxes. The RF60 weighs about 4kg less than the ARB.

I'm leaning towards the 60L ARB due to my own experience with the 47L unit but I'm asking in case I'm maybe selling the RF60 Evakool short. Have no experience with Evakool at all.

btw ... a National Luna 52L weekender was on the short list, and can be reconfigured to end open, but the bloody compressor is at the wrong end (the front end of the fridge slid) meaning a bit of a reach to the back of the fridge ... but it has excellent low power useage .... for nearly $500 more than the ARB offering, (It would fit the DS40 drop slide though meaning it can be used in the D2 or the KK).

Shopping for fridges is a bloody minefield !! :bat:

Thanks !

[101RRS]

Hmmm what is a KK?

[Fluids]

Hmmm what is a KK?


Kimberley Kamper ... made in Ballina NSW

Best Australian Off-Road Camper Trailer | Kimberleykampers (http://www.kimberleykampers.com/)

[AllTerr]

I'm guessing a Kimberley Kamper

[AllTerr]

I feel your pain. I went through the same thing when shopping a month or so back and went with the waeco CF50. Got a deal on it I couldn't refuse! 😁

[rick130]

Any idea who builds the ARB fridge Kev ?

Sorry I can't help, I have no experience with small portable frdges, although i do have an old EngelI was given a few years ago.

I do have an Evakool esky, love how thick the inso is. It's the reason I bought it.

[Fluids]

I feel your pain. I went through the same thing when shopping a month or so back and went with the waeco CF50. Got a deal on it I couldn't refuse! 😁

Ooohhhh the pain ... [bawl]

Thanks Railey. Found the CF50 for $675 ... but it's a side opening fridge with the compressor at the wrong end. Same compressor as the ARB (Danfoss) though ... but the electronics are possibly its weak point. Pretty good on power ....

[Fluids]

Any idea who builds the ARB fridge Kev ?

Sorry I can't help, I have no experience with small portable frdges, although i do have an old EngelI was given a few years ago.

I do have an Evakool esky, love how thick the inso is. It's the reason I bought it.


G'day Rick.

I believe from my research it's built by Dometic to ARB's spec's with a Danfoss/Secop compressor (not the Dometic compressor) and ARB's own electronics.

Yep, the icebox reputation that Evakool have is why the RF60 got on my short list ... and at 21kg is a light 60L fridge ! Gotta carry that weight on the drawbar of the kamper ... bigger fridge ... more beer ... more weight ! [bigwhistle]

[DiscoMick]

We have a 35 litre Evakool mounted in the Defender which has been faultless in the two years since we bought it. Their reputation is good.

[Fluids]

We have a 35 litre Evakool mounted in the Defender which has been faultless in the two years since we bought it. Their reputation is good.

Thanks Mick ... but that's not one of the white RF fibreglass models is it ??

[AllTerr]

The Evakool was to be my 2nd choice had I not got the bargain on the Waeco.

[DiscoMick]

Thanks Mick ... but that's not one of the white RF fibreglass models is it ??
No it's not fiberglass, I think aluminum. It was a show special with scratches, but new warranty.

[DeanoH]

I'm looking for a second fridge ... The ARB has been good, but was replaced under warranty with the thermistor issue 2 weeks before the warranty ran out. Very happy with the ARB.
..................... I'm leaning towards the 60L ARB due to my own experience with the 47L unit .........


Failing thermistors used to be the Achilles heel of Waeco fridges (and may still be I don't know). Bloody $2 component would fail but couldn't be replaced as it was built into the case so throw away otherwise perfectly good fridge .
For this reason I've never bought a Waeco (but have had 2 Engels for over 10 years with no problems at all).

How would you have felt if the 60L ARB failed 2 weeks [B]after the warranty and you were left holding the bag ? I'd reckon this would be a good reason to question the ARB's longevity and consider an alternative (as you are doing now). [bigsmile1]




The 60L ARB ticks all the boxes and is virtually the same stated power consumption as the 47L. (0.89A/Hr vs 0.87A/Hr average).


As a technician (retired) I'm pretty conversant with electrical units and their meanings and I can tell you that there is no such unit as A/Hr. This is just meaningless drivel, complete and utter bull **** :exclam: , though it is regularly used by some 12 volt fridge manufacturers to 'promote' their products. I tend to steer clear of these products as the company either have no idea what they are talking about or are trying to baffle a prospective buyer with seemingly plausible bull ****. Both good reasons to look elsewhere. [bigsmile1]

Meaningful power usage can be expressed in watts or as an 'average' current draw in Amps.




.... Engel - not interested).


Why not ? I'm not trying to get into a Waeco/Engel type argument here but Engel make a very good product IMO superior to many of their competitors and have the 'runs on the board' to prove it.




... but to date we've never wanted for or needed a freezer (vacum seal all our meat and other stuff) ... and freezers hit the power useage up to maybe double what the fridge would be.


So install another battery [bigsmile1]. Not an issue whilst traveling as the alternator is doing all the work but can be a problem if immobile for a while. Depends on what sort of traveling you do. On extended trips vacuum sealing may not be an option though there's nothing like pulling up to a campsite when it's stinking hot and removing the 'Glad' iceblock bag from the freezer and 'clinking' a couple of ice blocks into the Chardonay to SWMBO's pleasure and the envy of surrounding campers. [smilebigeye][smilebigeye]






............The end open is no longer an issue with the custom build so the only other is the external 240v-12v power supply which is a bit of a put off ...


Don't worry about it, leave the 240volt adapter at home (or don't buy it in the first place) and connect a 240volt battery charger to your 'house battery' instead and run the fridge(s) off 12volt all the time. Achieves the same end with the added advantage of having a battery charger if needed.





Shopping for fridges is a bloody minefield !! :bat:



X2


Deano :)

[DiscoMick]

Ditto re Engel. Our 15 year old Engel in the camper was still within manufacturer's specifications when I had it serviced last year.
We added the Evakool in the Defender because it means we have the choice of two fridges or a fridge and freezer. They run off separate batteries and both can be solar charged. We ran both in summer heat on Straddy at Christmas with no problems.

[weeds]

I recently brought a RF60 as I was chasing the low profile, my Engel is just to high for the new application.....haven't used it a lot but a mate uses his heaps in a boat and cannot fault it.

I too see no reason to run freezer while touring

I find I have had to run it at zero instead of 2 degrees like the engel.

Even though it comes with a 240v adaptor you won't need it....I'm surprised how quickly it pulls down to temp.

Plus I like to support Aussie manufactured. Oh and I brought a seconds, just need to swap the hinges to the other side.

[Fluids]

Thank you Deano ..... if I may ...

1 - "How would you have felt if the 60L ARB failed 2 weeks after the warranty and you were left holding the bag ? I'd reckon this would be a good reason to question the ARB's longevity and consider an alternative (as you are doing now). "

[B]My 47L ARB was a version 1 unit. The replacement was a version 2 unit. Version 2 units had replaceable thermistors. ARB replaced many version 1 units outside warranty as it became known as a genuine manufacturing fault/issue and they did the right thing by their customers. I give them brownie points for that. [bigsmile1] Haven't really heard any bad rap about ARB fridges, a bit about Evakool (customer service/warranty related - not the actual fridges operation) ... and a few family members who have bad runs out of _newer_ Engels ... older Engels appear to be way more reliable (read bullet proof!) ... plenty of evidence to back that up!


2 - "Meaningful power usage can be expressed in watts or as an 'average' current draw in Amps."

Yeah I know. I'm a techie too ... 0.87A/Hr ... meaning the fridge draws an AVERAGE current of 0.87amps per hour every hour per every 24Hr period. Running can be anywhere from 3.5Amps to 5.2Amps whilst running ... but it doesn't run non-stop for 24Hrs, does it ?. I should have qualified my statement by saying "per 24Hrs" ... my bad [bigsmile1]

I've actually logged my 47L's performance ... Fridge 3/4 full of drinks. Set at 3deg (measured with a separate fridge thermometer) Battery starting voltage of 12.99v. Temperature logged as a min' of 21degC and a max' of 28degC over 5 days test period. Battery capacity of 210A/Hrs. Temperature and voltage checked same time each day. Test ceased at 12.35v (with fridge not run for 2hrs). 12.35v on my battery bank is approx' 65% state of charge. 35% used is approx' 73.5A/Hr. Divided by 5 days = 14.7A/Hrs per day average (that's 0.6125 A/Hr average over 24Hrs without the fridge being opened). When travelling I allow for 1-1.5A/Hr per day (24-36A/Hrs useage per day) and the kamper is not parked under cover, but outside in the sun. 12.2 volts on my setup is 50% state of charge. 5 days parked under cover in a garage. 3 days whilst outdoors for my battery capacity with some breathing space.

3 - "Why not Engel ... ???"

Costs too much! For the price of a 60L Engel I'd buy the 52L National Luna. The ARB lists for $426 less than the Engel, the Evakool would cost me $606 less than the Engel ... 60L Engel fridge opens the wrong way! Weighs too much (7.5kg more than the ARB/11kg more than the Evakool)! Never said there was anything wrong with Engel ... but "not interested" as for my application there's better choices ... hence my question. [bigsmile1]... Waeco got off the short list pretty much early in my research. I think the ARB has superior insulation to the Engel though. Just my opinion!

4 - "So install another battery"

Really ? ... 210 in kamper / 135 in D2 ... and can be bridged ... think I have enough, and the extra weight is something I'm trying to avoid! [bigsmile1] ... and we carry 320w of solar which can be run as 200w on the kamper and 120w on the D2 (or as 320w on the kamper) so, so far power's never been an issue. We're either touring day by day with the odd 2 day stop over OR a week in one spot. The 47L could be run as a freezer if we really needed, but we don't drink Chardonnay [bigwhistle] Vac' sealing & refrigeration covers us for the longest we've ever been off the grid so far (and taking more than 3 weeks or so off work is almost an impossible task) hence the "don't _need_ a freezer" comment ... but could if we wanted when using 2x fridges. Hence the Evakool question as it can be run as a combi fridge & freezer whilst still leaving the 47L as a fridge.


5 - "... leave the 240volt adapter at home (or don't buy it in the first place) and connect a 240volt battery charger to your 'house battery' instead and run the fridge(s) off 12volt all the time. Achieves the same end with the added advantage of having a battery charger if needed.

ARB gets points for having 240v built-in. No external adapter needed. Kamper already has a battery charger on board. Moot point. Plug in 240v, ARB automatically switches to 240v operation .... gotta plug in 240v at home to look after the batteries anyway. Fridge in the D2 wouldn't be in use when at home so no issue ... Evakool would need to be changed over manually IF wanting to run it on 240v.


Like I said ... done plenty of research. narrowed down my choices, and have good reasons why I've ended up where I have with my short list.


And ... Not having a shot, just addressing the points you raised. :bat: LOL! [bigsmile1]

Have done plenty of research ( as I did when shopping for the 47L which had to fit end on into the back of the D2 ... again, side opening wouldn't work for that application either) and asked about the Evakool as I have nil experience with that brand, and was hoping for some collective wisdom from the forum ... because $180 saved is $180 saved ! [bigsmile1] ... IF it's a wise saving, NOT just a saving for savings sake.


Thank you for your input ! Appreciate it [thumbsupbig]

[scarry]

Just go the Engle then forget about it,all done.

Mine has done 35yrs,one of my brothers 38,both never missed a beat.

I ran into a Truckie last week that was on his third Waeco in 5 yrs.[bigsad]

Edit,didn't see the above post...LOL

[Fluids]

I recently brought a RF60 as I was chasing the low profile, my Engel is just to high for the new application.....haven't used it a lot but a mate uses his heaps in a boat and cannot fault it.

I too see no reason to run freezer while touring

I find I have had to run it at zero instead of 2 degrees like the engel.

Even though it comes with a 240v adaptor you won't need it....I'm surprised how quickly it pulls down to temp.

Plus I like to support Aussie manufactured. Oh and I brought a seconds, just need to swap the hinges to the other side.


Thanks Weeds !

The ARB 47L temp display _may_ be out by 4degC ... says -1 on display, fridge thermometer sat in middle of cabinet says 3degC. Set displayed temp accordingly. The profile height wasn't too much of an issue (the 47L is higher ... as high as the 78L ARB with the 60L footprint, so it would also fit, but it uses 25% more _average_ power and 78L + 47L might be a bit overkill for 2x people ... smaller fridge kept full is more efficient than a larger fridge partially empty.

How does the RF60 appear to be on battery usage ?? Plenty of good stuff on forums about how well the RF series work ... still unsure about battery usage and after sales ...

Like to support Aussie as well ... when viable ... and the "seconds" version would cost me $80 + freight more than a new one WITH the lid set to hinge at the compressor end and the 240v power supply included ... I'll take a new for less than a second any day[bigsmile1]!


Thanks !

[bblaze]

we have a 60l evacool, just resting in the shed ATM but has run for 7 years continues. It run 5 years while in WA including a couple of years in Broome as a fridge freezer sitting in the back of my d1 or later d2. It did have a dry joint in the first month of owner. tech support was brilliant, while in Perth I thought the power pac had failed and rung tech support (fridge at the time was maybe 6 years old), the problem turned out to be the socket (replaced by me for Anderson plugs), they didn't charge for the service (checking power supply and fridge)
cheers
blaze

[weeds]

Re: power usage, the longest I have done to date is four days. It sat on the ground inside the camper trailer. Was also running a 32L engel and a couple of LED light strips. Had three 105amp/hr batteries hooked to two 80w solar panels. Battery was at 100% before lunch. I didn't really watch power consumption.

They appear to be good value for money.

[123rover50]

If I remember on another thread people were praising Bushman now its not getting a mention.
Any reason for this as I was nearly convinced to get one for my current build project.

Keith

[Fluids]

we have a 60l evacool, just resting in the shed ATM but has run for 7 years continues. It run 5 years while in WA including a couple of years in Broome as a fridge freezer sitting in the back of my d1 or later d2. It did have a dry joint in the first month of owner. tech support was brilliant, while in Perth I thought the power pac had failed and rung tech support (fridge at the time was maybe 6 years old), the problem turned out to be the socket (replaced by me for Anderson plugs), they didn't charge for the service (checking power supply and fridge)
cheers
blaze


Thanks blaze ! That's good to hear. Good run with the fridge and good backup service (from their service agent I assume).

Cheers [thumbsupbig]

[Fluids]

Re: power usage, the longest I have done to date is four days. It sat on the ground inside the camper trailer. Was also running a 32L engel and a couple of LED light strips. Had three 105amp/hr batteries hooked to two 80w solar panels. Battery was at 100% before lunch. I didn't really watch power consumption.

They appear to be good value for money.


Thanks again weeds. 160w of solar for 4-5hrs at say 8A/Hr charge rate is 32-40amps .... for 2x fridges (LED's draw bugger all) is pretty good.

[bigsmile1]

I think the RF60 is value for money ... it's why it made my short list.

[Fluids]

If I remember on another thread people were praising Bushman now its not getting a mention.
Any reason for this as I was nearly convinced to get one for my current build project.

Keith


Looked at the Bushman ... probably the best / on par with the National Luna fridges for power use. A highly overlooked fridge imho .... but it's a side opening fridge (with an external 240v power supply). Only read positive stuff about the Bushman during my research. The risers and lids are a clever way to fit the fridge to your application (like an Engel Two-Zone).

It really all gets down to the way the lid opens / footprint / power usage .... and imho the list of worthy fridges (depending on wether they fit the lid/footprint/power criteria) would be ARB, Engel, Evakol, Bushman & National Luna ... but that is just my opinion. (Trailblazer & Autofridge are probably better again but are no longer made)

The only end opening fridges in the 60L area are the ARB, Luna 52L (with a lid relocation) and the Evakool RF60 (custom order with lid hinged at the compressor end). Which is why they were my final 3 choices.

Cheers

[weeds]

Thanks again weeds. 160w of solar for 4-5hrs at say 8A/Hr charge rate is 32-40amps .... for 2x fridges (LED's draw bugger all) is pretty good.

[bigsmile1]

I think the RF60 is value for money ... it's why it made my short list.

Hang on....I still had my 60w panel as well for that trip so 220w....

[Judo]

This reminded me of a long term thread on my fridge.... For some context and comparison of cheap fridges:

Ebay Fridges (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/camping-tucker-and-bush-basics/93731-ebay-fridges.html)

[Fluids]

Hang on....I still had my 60w panel as well for that trip so 220w....


... grabs jewish piano .... punch punch punch ... 4-5Hrs @ 11A/Hr is 44-55Amps ... say 50A/Hrs .... 1A/Hr per fridge per 24Hrs .... sounds about average expected.

Still good !

[thumbsupbig]

[Fluids]

This reminded me of a long term thread on my fridge.... For some context and comparison of cheap fridges:

Ebay Fridges (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/camping-tucker-and-bush-basics/93731-ebay-fridges.html)


Thanks Justin. An interesting read ... looked at the ebay offerings early in my research ... pity they are all so tall, and are side opening. Don't have the headroom.

Thanks

[101RRS]

My 55 litre ebay fridgy is still running very well - over 7 years later - I would never buy a overpriced brand name. Oh I did buy a 25litre Everkool (aluminium body) for weekend use and it is crap - hi power use - poor temp control, noisey and cost the same as the ebay jobby.

[DiscoMick]

BTW from what I can tell all fridge temperature displays are only approximate so expect variations.

[Fluids]

Yeah Mick, seems to be the norm ... I've tested my 47L ARB numerous time with a separate thermometer and tried various positions in the cabinet and pretty much reads 4degC lower than the actual cabinet temperature ... so I just set it 4degC lower than what I want ... -1 gets me 3degC.

[DiscoMick]

Our old Engel doesn't even have a digital gauge, so I just run it on 1 (out of 5) all the time. Must buy a proper gauge for it.

[weeds]

Our old Engel doesn't even have a digital gauge, so I just run it on 1 (out of 5) all the time. Must buy a proper gauge for it.

Or convert to thermostat controlled....best thing I did to my 32L. Set temp and forget no need to adjust the dial between hottest part of the day and the cool night.

[Fluids]

Well, after much deliberation I pulled the pin on the 60L ARB fridge/freezer (not the new bomb proof one).

Ticked all the right boxes.

Thanks for everyones input !! [thumbsupbig]

[DiscoMick]

Or convert to thermostat controlled....best thing I did to my 32L. Set temp and forget no need to adjust the dial between hottest part of the day and the cool night.
Is the conversion expensive?

[weeds]

Is the conversion expensive?

The controller was very cheap.....

Taking a punt $20 + a bit of cable.....mine just controls the +pos coming into the fridge.

Others tapped into the control circuit but that was too complicated for me although I think other have to do it when some thing has fail...mine was still functioning so I just use the +pos coming in...set temp and it hovers 1-2 degrees either side, best thing is it doesn't destroy the salad stuff.

Welcome to have a look....I will take some pics when I get home.

[DiscoMick]

Thanks.
I just have mine fixed on 1 with a piece of tape and it is always cold. I had a thermometer on it for a while, but it broke.

[weeds]

Thanks.
I just have mine fixed on 1 with a piece of tape and it is always cold. I had a thermometer on it for a while, but it broke.

Have a look here https://www.aulro.com/afvb/communications-car-audio-and-electronics/247802-converting-old-school-engel-fridge-thermostat-controlled.html

[DiscoMick]

Thanks. Interesting.