Camp fridge

I have a thermoelectric and a Waeco CF50.

I only use the thermo when go for a short drive (say a days drive) and I only ever put cold cans in otherwise they go warm

But the waeco even only on the second setting gets the beers nice and cold within 2 hours:cool:


Adam

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Originally Posted by PhilipA

3 Way good for camping for a long time on gas. Not much good at 12v on a hot day. Good on 240V.
As they draw 8amps DO NOT forget to take it out of the car and put it on gas every day. DO NOT go to a National Park and leave it on in the back of the car when you go for a long walk. I had one for about 10 years and my daughter now has it and still going strong.

Compressor fridge ( Engel)GREAT for touring. Works perfectly in car on 12v. Put the beer in before driving and it will pull down.
BUT if you put a hot dozen ( or a hot chicken) in after stopping will use a LOT of power overnight, say 2.5-3amps per hour.
NOT so good for long camping as second battery needed and /or gennie/solar. Mine goes 3 days. My Engel now about 7 years old and goes perfectly, but surface rust on box.

Peltier effect ( bi metal)not much good for anything on a hot day.
Regards Philip A

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Philip,

We have an Engel 25l, as well.
Fantastic fridge, nothing beats the old compressor :D
I even use it when we go shopping, keeps all the frozen goods frozen.

Cheers

Ok thanks for the advice looks like i will save my doe:)

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Originally Posted by V8Landy

Ok thanks for the advice looks like i will save my doe:)

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Mate, It really depends on the situation :)
As I said, we have two, an expensive Engel that is used often in the Disco and Caravaning. It was around $700, but has a compressor like a normal fridge and gets cold within minutes.

However it is not suitable for camping due to the power problem.
That is why we bought the 30litre "Primus Camping Fridge" from Anaconda. Far cheaper at $300 and it can be fired up on 240V, put in the car and top up on 12v and when we get to the camping spot, attach a gas bottle and switch it over to LPG. Those fridges work quite well and don't use a lot of gas. Same principle as the large one in our Caravan :D

Cheers

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Originally Posted by RonMcGr

Mate, It really depends on the situation :)
As I said, we have two, an expensive Engel that is used often in the Disco and Caravaning. It was around $700, but has a compressor like a normal fridge and gets cold within minutes.

However it is not suitable for camping due to the power problem.
That is why we bought the 30litre "Primus Camping Fridge" from Anaconda. Far cheaper at $300 and it can be fired up on 240V, put in the car and top up on 12v and when we get to the camping spot, attach a gas bottle and switch it over to LPG. Those fridges work quite well and don't use a lot of gas. Same principle as the large one in our Caravan :D

Cheers

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That's true. We are happy with the 3 way fridge in our camper.
However this ebay fridge only mentions 12V, 24V and 240V.
No mention of gas.
So the only option at the camping spot would be 12V (or 24) which tends to be much less efficient than 240 and gas.

Over the years I've had a couple of thermoelectric "fridges" that have come my way for free. I own none now. In my experience they are only useful as an esky that keeps things cooler for longer than and esky with no ice in it!
and draw heaps of power too (for what they do).
No good as boat anchors either as they float.
I had a funny experience with a friend of mine and a thermoelectric fridge, we were heading away for a weekend and the weather was hot so my friend switced the fridge to "hot"!!!!!
Anyway, 6 hours later we got to our destination, opened the fridge to see the most discusting mess i've ever seen, cheese, milk, sausages, chops, chocholate, all running and curddling and festering nicely at about 50 degrees for 6 hours!!!!
Never let him forget that one.
There are some cheaper 12volt fridges hitting ebay now that use the Danfoss compressors as seen in the waecos, I would say they are probably okay, but I can't recommend my Quirks Autofridge highly enough, although they are a bit heavy. If you can stretch your budget go for an engel, if not, get a second hand one.
Just my 2 cents!
Fraser

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RonMcGr

Mate, It really depends on the situation :)
As I said, we have two, an expensive Engel that is used often in the Disco and Caravaning. It was around $700, but has a compressor like a normal fridge and gets cold within minutes.

However it is not suitable for camping due to the power problem.
That is why we bought the 30litre "Primus Camping Fridge" from Anaconda. Far cheaper at $300 and it can be fired up on 240V, put in the car and top up on 12v and when we get to the camping spot, attach a gas bottle and switch it over to LPG. Those fridges work quite well and don't use a lot of gas. Same principle as the large one in our Caravan :D

Cheers

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True. The only thing I would add, is that a 3 way on gas will only cool to 25 degrees below ambient. Great for camping in mild weather but not so good in the heat (but we don't camp in the summer anyway) We used one for 20 years, but are now older and disliked lifting it from the vehicle everyday while travelling, to connect to gas. Now have an Engel and couldn't be happier, although in the near future will be looking for solar backup for our 2 batteries, even though we can remain in 1 spot for at least 4 days with no probs.