Fridge bags. Worth it?

[Disco-tastic]

Hey guys and girls just after some opinions on fridge bags. Just got a new fridge but opted out on the fridge bag as I wasnt sure they were necessary.

Do they make a difference? I've heard they can help protect the fridge when in a hot car, but ive also heard they can limit airflow and cook the conpressor (though I suppose thats a specific design issue)

Any thoughts and opinions are appreciated.

Cheers

Dan

[Homestar]

I’ve always had them on my Engels - not sure what they do to the efficiency to be honest, but I’ve never cooked a compressor in 20 years and it stops the fridge getting dinged up and scratched.

[rangieman]

I’ve always had them on my Engels - not sure what they do to the efficiency to be honest, but I’ve never cooked a compressor in 20 years and it stops the fridge getting dinged up and scratched.
x2 Same Same [thumbsupbig]

[kelvo]

Fridge bags definitely help keep the fridge cooler, plus help to protect the fridge.

A correctly made and fitted fridge bag will not overheat the compressor, the bags are fully ventilated in the same spots as the fridge compressor/condenser vents. If anything they will keep the compressor cooler because it won’t be running as often or for as long.

[laney]

Have a fridge bag on my Waco never had a problem with it keeps fridge cool and clean[thumbsupbig]

[Tote]

Equally, I have had a fridge bag on my Waeco and took it off about 18 months ago as the velcro was worn. No difference in performance noticed.

Regards,
Tote

[Saitch]

A few years ago I was gifted a genuine cover for my old 40 litre Engel. I've never done a comparison between clothed and naked but do leave it on for protection, as the fridge often goes in the back of the 'tilly. One thing that does occur and I keep an eye on, is the build up of condensation between the cover and the exterior panels and lid, especially in humid/rainy conditions. Not an issue with plastic fridges, I suppose but not good for metal I reckon. A quick wipe over, every so often, does the trick.

[DiscoMick]

Got an Engel without a bag and an Evakool with one. Can't notice any difference in performance, except I suspect the Engel probably draws more power, but they are different sizes and designs, so it's hard to compare. The bag does stop the Evakool from getting scratched, while the Engel is quite battered.

[123rover50]

My Aussie made Bushman came with a bag but with it being in the back of my 88 wagon I dont use it. If it was in an open ute I might.
I can see it helping to reflect heat and protect from bumps, but not really contributing to actual insulation.

[Redback]

Took our bag off as it was causing a build up of Mold under the bag, haven't noticed any difference in anything really, still preforms well.

Don't waste your money unless the fridge will be sitting out in the open.

[Disco-tastic]

Thanks everyone for your input.



Took our bag off as it was causing a build up of Mold under the bag, haven't noticed any difference in anything really, still preforms well.

Don't waste your money unless the fridge will be sitting out in the open.

I'm assuming you never took the fridge oit of the car/camper in order for mold to build up?

I'm mainly interested in lowering the amp draw to make it last as long as possible, as I only have the single 55Ah secondary battery

The covers are $60. The fridge will sit in the rear of the D3 and may get a bit of sun on it during the day.

[DiscoMick]

The key to lowering current draw won't be the bag, it will be the temperature you set, I think.

[Disco-tastic]

The key to lowering current draw won't be the bag, it will be the temperature you set, I think.Planning to set it at 4 degrees actual, measured with a wireless thermometer. So I'm guessing 1° or 2° on the fridge

[DiscoMick]

I set both our fridges at 4 on the dial. Any lower and they start to ice.

[Disco-tastic]

Decided to save my money for now. Eventually the fridge will be in a drawer system and out of the sun at all times anyway, plus i couldnt find any test results to show ot made any difference.

Thanks for your help!

Dan

[ramblingboy42]

I hazard to think what my fridge would look like if it wasn't for the bag.

It rides out in the open on the back of my ute, and when I get home from a trip remove the bag and scrub all the dirt mud stains bird**** and whattever else gets on it.

Wouldn't be without it.

[Disco-tastic]

I hazard to think what my fridge would look like if it wasn't for the bag.

It rides out in the open on the back of my ute, and when I get home from a trip remove the bag and scrub all the dirt mud stains bird**** and whattever else gets on it.

Wouldn't be without it.Yeah, in that situation its cheap insurance. But it will be inside my D3 all the time so not much chance of getting that beat up!

[Zeros]

I've always had a bag on my Engel, I reckon it only really makes a difference if the fridge is in the sun. If it's always in the back of your car, some window shades might be a better investment to keep the ambient temp in the car down. / keep the fridge out of the sun.

[rick130]

I'd hazard a guess they might actually hurt performance.

Air flow is everything for a condenser, I'd love to know what the actual open area is for the weave that is used over the condenser openings, but at a guess it's only 50-60%

That would limit air flow and thus heat rejection badly.

The wall insulation of an Engel is inadequate but I don't know how much the thin insulation of a bag actually helps, (and I have mine in one!) but having a pocket is handy for the cord.

[ATH]

Our 60 ltr Engel has been in a bag since we bought it some 15 - 16 or maybe more years ago. Not sure if it helps or not but as the bag zips are now well truly knackered so I may chuck it out and go naked......
Now it sits in the D4 (and has done in a variety of vehicles) which has tinted windows and is generally at a good temp. even on the hot days like today.... high 30s, and the beer is always drinkable.
Saying that though I've yet to find a beer I couldn't drink.
"Kimberly cool, roll it under the bed and catch it the other side, rip the top off and shove it down yer throat". Lovely stuff. :)
AlanH.

[Numb Thumbs]

I have always used a fridge bag - both for protection and to hopefully improve performance. Without having the facility for accurate testing I can't say if it helps performance or not.
On my latest Waeco, the fridge bag has a silver lining and a dark grey outer fabric. That seemed stupid to me, so I simply turned the bag inside out. As the fridge has symmetrical vents, it works well. I figure it was better to reflect the radiant heat away from the fridge than to try to reflect the "coolth" back at the fridge...

https://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh78/drj153/20160810_162002_zpsrxowsjc0.jpg (https://s253.photobucket.com/user/drj153/media/20160810_162002_zpsrxowsjc0.jpg.html)

Cheers
Numb Thumbs ;)

[trout1105]

If you are going to keep your fridge in the back of a wagon where it is protected i wouldn't bother with the bag But if you intend to put it on the back of a ute or have it outside at your camp a bag is a Great idea to keep the heat from the sun or the hot wind off the fridge.

[weeds]

One with, two without.......

The only way to actually know is to collect data, problem is have the same conditions for both tests would be tough.

Bag will keep your fridge looking new.....

Any fridge in a lock up car is going to chew battery regardless of bag or no bag

Bag lid can be a pain zipping and unzipping depending on install....in the work cars we just leave the lid unzipped, bag is only there to protect the fridge.


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181227/f3f438c55bacc6060e99e00db674feeb.jpg

[Oingo Boingo]

Hi. I believe and am no expert in this matter but fridges like the Norcoast one Trailblaza it's not recommended to fit a cover as the condenser coil sits hard against the aluminium outer skin, this is how it dissipates heat without using a fan running over a condensing coil. When that fridge is running feel the outside cover. It will be quite warm. Fitting a cover on this type of cooling will have a negative effect. If a fridge cannot cool the refrigerant sufficiently the head pressure will rise greatly and the fridge will draw more amps and run for longer. When positioning a fridge in your 4wd make sure it has sufficient access to enough airflow through the condenser fan. If you have an Engel in the back of a Ute then a fridge cover is essential.

[DeeJay]

Fairly complete comparison here which says that bags can protect against sun & scratches etc but also says they can trap heat just as effectively,.

Best 12 Volt Portable Fridge Comparison Test (https://www.whichcar.com.au/gear/electronics-gadgets/eight-way-fridge-comparison)

[Redback]

Thanks everyone for your input.




I'm assuming you never took the fridge oit of the car/camper in order for mold to build up?

I'm mainly interested in lowering the amp draw to make it last as long as possible, as I only have the single 55Ah secondary battery

The covers are $60. The fridge will sit in the rear of the D3 and may get a bit of sun on it during the day.

The Fridge has been running off a 55AH battery for as long as we have had it, nearly 14yrs, 12 of that without a bag, never had an issue when camped running off out Optima 55ah, usually it will run the fridge for around 3 days without charging the battery, pretty much the same when we had it with the bag on. and yes the fridge comes out of the car after each trip and runs at home as a beer fridge on 240v.

Up until 12mths ago we have only ever had the fridge running off of a 55ah battery, the fridge virtually runs 24/7 and has done for 14yrs.

[Disco-tastic]

3 days is pretty good. What sort of fridge?

I managed about 40hrs off the optima in 36°+ temperatures with the fridge set at 1°. Its one of the newer kings fridges which is a rebadged nova look or waeco. The lid is a bit thin and I think has a hard time keeping the cool in.

[DiscoMick]

I have always used a fridge bag - both for protection and to hopefully improve performance. Without having the facility for accurate testing I can't say if it helps performance or not.
On my latest Waeco, the fridge bag has a silver lining and a dark grey outer fabric. That seemed stupid to me, so I simply turned the bag inside out. As the fridge has symmetrical vents, it works well. I figure it was better to reflect the radiant heat away from the fridge than to try to reflect the "coolth" back at the fridge...

https://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh78/drj153/20160810_162002_zpsrxowsjc0.jpg (https://s253.photobucket.com/user/drj153/media/20160810_162002_zpsrxowsjc0.jpg.html)

Cheers
Numb Thumbs ;)That's interesting. I'm not sure which way to go on that.
The compressor must be able to vent heat or it could overheat. The heat comes out the vent, but the wall of the fridge also gets hot. The silver inside of the cover would repel compressor heat and force it along the gap between the fridge wall and the cover towards the vent holes in the cover.
The sun would be absorbed by the insulated cover with the grey side out.
So which side should face outwards - the grey insulation or the silver?
Is the silver layer actually double-sided, so no matter which way it is fitted there are silver layers facing both in and out?
I'm not sure. What do others think?