crowie posted:

Forgot to add they don't come with a basket

Black Jack posted:

Crowie, just a question on the Finch fridge. I am leaning that way or its bigger brother the 40 lt, as most my camping is arrive and set up for a week. Do you find the Finch keeps things cold in hot weather?

Thanks
Balck Jack

crowie posted:

BlackJack

I've never had a problem keeping things cold in hot weather when using it on gas or 240V. Low 30s is the hightest temp I've had it operating in. They must be level of course and I carry a little spirit level as part of my camping gear. They are almost too efficient. I have to be careful that vegies do not fall to the the bottom because they will freeze. The bigger Chestcolds probably have even better insulation and probably better. Someone else may comment on that.

12V results in the back of the truck is adequate when travelling and 240V about equivilant to the gas. As some one else has mentioned, keep them clean and covered if they are being stored as insects can get into the pipes to nest etc. They also need to be run every few months. I was told that the refrigerant will Crystallize if left sitting to long. Its almost cheaper to buy a new fridge than recharge them if this happens.

Black Jack posted:

Thanks Crowie. I think you answered why a friend hated the Chescold so much. He only ever used it once a year. You hear positive and negative stories all the time and when you dig a little there is always another aspect of the negative story. Always read the intructions. I was also undecided about getting the 40 lt with the freezer so that I knew it would get the temperature down, but nor really wanting to freeze things. The Finch is all I really need.
I dropped in to Supercheap on the weekend to look at these new fridges, but they didn't have one in stock. The small article they had on it didn't mention 240 volt. I'm not sure if this was a misprint of if it is 12 volt only. The saleman knew nothing about the fridge. No basket and 12 volt only is one way of getting the price down, but also limits when and how it could be used.

Thanks again
Black Jack

Black Jack posted:

Thanks Jim,
I was allset to buy a Chescold when a fellow I work with said he just sold his because it never worked properly. Add Crowie's comment about the refigerant crystalizing if not used regularly and that will be the reason for his problems. He would use it once a year only. The 3 way fridge is still the best option for my usage and if I run it as a beer fridge when not camping it should work just fine.

Black Jack