mfewster posted:

Hi Will, sorry, I haven't checked their catalogue and haven't seen a link, A couple of us just saw them amongst a lot of regular 3way and compressor varieties in the shop and had a closer look. Pretty cheap though, think they were a bit under $400.00

angler posted:

Just checked the catalog, As soon as it says it heats as well it gives away the method. It uses the system called "peltier effect". Hot one side and cold the other. More of them in one unit means more heat or cold. The best they can usually manage is about 18degrees below whatever the ambient temperature, Or in 40 degree heat when you would really like a cold beer they will be close to 22 degrees. That's on a good day.
Look it up on the net, there is lots of info about Mr peltier.

barge posted:

Hi Will, The assumptions of peilter device operation is correct.
The base plate of the unit says 96 watts that equates to 8 amps an hour continously and will flattern the battery of 80amp hours in 10hours.

The unit will only cool below the ambient temp but will never freeze.
THERE IS NO COMPRESSOR IN THIS UNIT THE PEILTER DEVICE MUST HAVE A CURRENT PASS THROUGH IT ALL THE TIME TO FUNCTION>

Compressor units cycle on and off conserving power to when it is needed just like our fridges at home.

These are similar to the Waeco units that draw 4 amps an hour that cool and heat with a 12 month warranty.
Both Engel and Waeco offer a min 3 year warranty on the compressor fridges. The old adage of BUYER BEWARE. REMEMBER you only pay for what you get.
The engel compressor fridges start at around $900.00 and Waeco around $549.00.
Good luck in your choice but i hope this is of some help.

Mad Dog (Australia) posted:

Hmmm, sounds like it, but it says it's a freezer, warming function as well. Wonder how many amps it sucks

Brian B (QLD) posted:

Hi Folks,

Yes it looks just like a Waeco Tropicool which is their thermo electric cooler. I will be interested to see if anyone can offer any more feedback on these. One of the weaknesses of these type fridges at least as far as I am aware is that they can't chill things down low enough below ambient temp.

As for Two Dogs comments - What a load of rubbish. The issues raised were valid and of great interest to most peole who use portable fridges. Go away and take your stupid ill thought through comments with you.

Mad Dog (Australia) posted:

yes they do Jim, usually at a large current draw unless this "new technology" really has something new to offer. Might have to drop into repco and suss it out.

Nudenut posted:

as madmut above queries...
Wonder how many amps it sucks...Heaps I say....these things are energy hungry

Member - Chrispy (NSW) posted:

Be interesting to see your opinion of it if you get one. Are you getting one? Not exactly a million dollars to find out....

angler posted:

Same fridge is available at supercheap auto. Different name of course.

Member - Chrispy (NSW) posted:

Interesting..........

Was it cranking away all the time or did it have idle periods that you may have noticed?

Member - Dedalus (SA) posted:

I'm back in Kangaroo Island for the weekend ... but mon. morning I will back in Adelaide and at the shop for testing ... :-)))
Talk soon!

Dedalus

V8troopie posted:

I think you are right on the mark there Rigor, with cascaded or 'ganged' peltier elements.
It is indeed possible to get these below freezing temperature on the cold side.

It was not commonly done because the heat on the hot side could not be shifted effectively with the usual heat fins and fans.

Now, water cooling is IMO far more efficient than air cooling, especially for a small surface area, so that's the new technology. Interesting, I wonder how they stand up in field use and what the daily water consumption might be. Perhaps a good alternative fridge where water is plentiful but out in the desert I'd prefer the old fashioned danfoss compressor fridges.

Klaus