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

Originally Posted by 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

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

Cheers

Originally Posted by 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.

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.



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

Originally Posted by 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

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

Originally Posted by Fluids

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.



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....

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

Ebay Fridges

Originally Posted by weeds

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 !

Originally Posted by Judo

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

Ebay Fridges

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

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.