12V compressor fridge

Bang for your dollar fridges................ one idea I have had is to buy a 240volt small up right fridge of say 90 litres which are picked up cheaply from larger retailers and running it through a inverter from 12 volt.
A small normal fridge would sit very well in the back of the Defender 130.
The only thing is what the 12 volt power draw would be after going through the inverter.
I already own a 3000w inverter and if any one has a large size inverter which can take the start load of a 240 volt fridge the 240 volt option should be looked at.
A small normal up right fridge also takes less floor space, but some arrangement would have to be made to keep the doors locked when travelling

not to rain on your parade, its a good idea but most normal fridges dont like repeated vibrations and bumping like what it will get in the back of a rover, especially while running...

Not wanting to get into a fridge debate, brand versus brand

My personal opinion, a good fridge to a 4wd driver is like a good tool kit to a mechanic. We bought our Engel in 1976 (14 litre) and it still works today - original motor - regassed once, fixed the controller a few times. We bought a Trailblaser in 1998 - 10 years ago (60l) and this hasn't missed a beat and it gets used heaps. There are a lot of well known and tested makes on the market. If you are investing $400-$600, maybe a bit more homework on quality, cooling, efficiency, insullation, etc etc not just the bottom line. Just a thought - Erich

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Originally Posted by 101 Ron

Bang for your dollar fridges................ one idea I have had is to buy a 240volt small up right fridge of say 90 litres which are picked up cheaply from larger retailers and running it through a inverter from 12 volt.
A small normal fridge would sit very well in the back of the Defender 130.
The only thing is what the 12 volt power draw would be after going through the inverter.
I already own a 3000w inverter and if any one has a large size inverter which can take the start load of a 240 volt fridge the 240 volt option should be looked at.
A small normal up right fridge also takes less floor space, but some arrangement would have to be made to keep the doors locked when travelling

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Most fridges designed for home use, have to be dead level for them to work properly, Waeco and Engle both sell upright fridges (12V/240V) that are designed to work off road or in a boat/yacht, they are a bit cheaper than their portable counterparts, I am going to get one to install in my camper trailer, when I build it, Regards Frank.

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Originally Posted by loanrangie

Must be a different one to the ones i saw,they were cheap feeling lightweight things. Hmm me thinks, i have a 20% off repco voucher !

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Repco also had plastic 3 way non-compressor style fridges maybe they are the ones you saw ?.

The compressor one has a steel outer ( from memory ) and two compartments - one with a basket. It seems to have somewhat large external dimensions but maybe I was looking at the 70 litre model. The insulation on the side walls seemed quite thick. That MAY be a good thing as you may not need a bag.

yep you cant go to wrong with danfoss compressors , i should know we have in the past used thousands of them in our westinghouse products .most compressors are from china now with the exception of a couple of plants in brazil . pays to know what refrigerant is used in them though as this is changing worldwide , all in all refrigeration systems are simple and its the electrics that can cause trouble .

I did it, I ordered a brand new Engei "Eclipse" 38l fridge today, was going to get the Repco 50L but I would have to modify my slide and draws to fit it in, I'll use the Engel for the Disco and get an Upright Engle/Waeco for the camper trailer, don't you just love Father's Day, Regards Frank.

I have in my boat and caravan 12/240 waeco up right fridges of about 100lts capacity and they work OK pulling about 4 amp when running.
I have had silly quality issues with them with regards to freezer doors and plastic fittings falling apart and poor back up in my neck of the woods.
In my family there is Three Engal 40lt camping fridges ,12 volt and over thirty years old and they are still going strong.
Engal is my choice by far, but the dollars are just not available.

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Originally Posted by 101 Ron

I have in my boat and caravan 12/240 waeco up right fridges of about 100lts capacity and they work OK pulling about 4 amp when running.
I have had silly quality issues with them with regards to freezer doors and plastic fittings falling apart and poor back up in my neck of the woods.
In my family there is Three Engal 40lt camping fridges ,12 volt and over thirty years old and they are still going strong.
Engal is my choice by far, but the dollars are just not available.

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101 Ron, the "new" Eclipse by Engel is their first plastic bodied fridge (portable) and RRP is $899, not bad for a 38lt. Engel, Regards Frank.

I now have my Kmart Mobicool 40 lt and have used it in anger a few times.
The first use was on a hot day at a local air show keeping my tinneys cold in the back of my old 6x6 studebaker truck whisle I watched the airshow in the back of the truck laying on the bananna chair.
It ran all day plugged into one of those cheap jump starter battery packs.
A full days running flat out in those condtions on a very small battery I though was good and it didnt even trip the highest low voltage cut out setting.
The fridge works good as most other compressor fridges.
Insulation is thick and construction is good bar some of plastic fittings like the cover over the switches and the hooks which the power lead wraps around.
Sitting on the lid can be done ,but not recommended.
The sides are steel and the base is plastic.
The interior is plastic one third the way up with the metal cooling plate after that.
A internal cage is supplied if wanted.
Hinges are very strong stainless steel and the lifting handles strong plastic.
If I treat this fridge with some sort of respect it should last for many years.
If I was going to leave the fridge permanetly in the open on the back of a table top, then the extra money of a Engal would be better spent.
For normal holiday camper use I can see no problem with the Kmart Mobicool and see it as being very good value for money with cooling performance for hottest parts of Aust.