Doug replied:

We have just purchased a new Engel 60 litre. We are extremely happy with same. It freezes very quickly when turned up high. had to use it when the household freezer broke down. We did a lot of research before purchasing this and it appears to be the best value for money.

Kevin Phillips replied:

Unfortunately the answer is - it depends. Depends on average current draw of fridge, battery, internal car temperature and fridge setting. In the type of conditions you asked about (e.g. Kalumburu in August), my 55 litre BushBoy regularly lasted about 18 hours from 4PM off a regular N70ZZ starting battery, car parked in the shade, and the fridge set to a reasonably cool temperature. Same fridge, same car, same battery, same setting, but outside temperature in low 20's (Snowy Mts in November) and I can get about 40 hours from the fridge.

Kev replied:

Pete i run a 60l Trailblazer all over Australia and have never had any trouble keeping the beer cold even in 40+ desert sun in winter my deep cycle battery will last about 3 and a half days in summer about a day and half depending on how hot it is but im usually driving down the track and not sitting around for long.

Mal replied:

I have a Bushman (35 litre). We have an insulating cover to match. I have a Dual battery system with the second battery of 90ah for use with just the fridge. We use the fridge as a freezer set to minus 15 degrees. We twice daily swap out 4 sheets of techni ice into an esky which we use for milk and the like.
Provided the battery is fully charged we get up to 2 days without having to go for a long drive (6 hours) if the weather is mid to high 20's. If it is a bit hotter (30 +), then 1.5 days.
We work the Bushman pretty hard, and we are pleased with peformance. I believe it is value for money. We paid $899 for the unit including the external power pack and $120 for the cover. This was at the time the equivalent Engel was $1299, plus cover $150 and the Engel needed a $99 spring base as well.
Rgds,
Mal

Craig replied:

I get about 3 days usage from my 90 AH deep cycle battery under such conditions. I have an Engel 40 litre with insulated cover. I also turn the fridge down each evening. I run a 40watt Solarex solar panel which puts up to 2.34 amps into the aux. battery and also charge the aux. battery from the alternator when driving. With this set up i have never had a flat battery, even after extended camping stays of up to 2 or 3 weeks.

Bill replied:

My God Pete these people must have money to burn!! I use a 3way Finch in my Range Rover. No dual battery needed and no need to run the car every day. Works a treat, even in hot tropical weather and I can stay in one spot for weeks with a bottle of gas. Best of all I bought it for $100 second hand 10 years ago and it needs no "add ons" like the extra insulation needed on Engels. Amazing isn't it that Engel can produce a fridge that needs an insulating bag??? Something like a tent that needs a fly to be waterproof!!

Nigel replied:

We have a EvaKool and with it's 40mm insulation we rarely turn it above mimimum and never above 2 (out of 7). If the night is cool then we turn it off completely. We get 2-3 days out of our 90ah deep cycle battery. The trick is to charge a deep cycle off a mains charger before a trip.

Cod Hunter replied:

I have had a Chescold frdge freezer 3 way for about 7 years and have had no problems freezing meat etc in any season / past summer temps reached 40C but Chescold handled conditons easily . I have camped at the one spot for about a month and the Chescold was still running from the same bottle of gas .

rod hine replied:

Pete, I have a 60lt Trailblazer and go camping often, it a top fridge, I suggest having a look at 4wd australia accessories guide on page 45 it give a write up on most fridges if you have any questons regarding the Trailblazer ring Norcoast Refrigation in Coulandra for more facts, all the best.

Ming replied:

Pete, what kind of problems did you have with your a Liemack fridge? I was thinking of buying one. Is that a bad idea?

Pete replied:

G'day ming.
The Liemack I had would not shut off properly when batteries were low or it would shut off at the desired voltage , but then start up again & drain the remaining power leaving me with flat batteries.The manufacturer claimed this was a problem with the wiring but i had this checked & mucked around with countless times & when the liemack people checked my cars wiring they said i must have had a problem with my alternator.The alternator was checked by 3 different auto electricians & no-one could find anything wrong & everyone stated they couldnt understand how this was affectinfridges performance when we knew we were always starting with fully charged batteries.Its been very frustrating as I believe the Liemack is the best fridge around & I'm actually thinking about giving them another go as after a years research I cant find any other that match up interms of features quality & construction.
Ps the fridgeworked great when it was working properly but it was annoying to be left with flat batteries out in the bush.
Good luck, Pete