colin axel and karen discussed modifications to chescold portable fridges

Geoff, collin posted info on sadec,you should be able to find his postings in the archives under fridges , as for our chescold, is a mk 11, R50T, have fitted a small 12volt fan that i bought from a local computer repair shop, $11 , is only 3inch sqare and 1inch thick ,_Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx 0.14 amps ,fitted inside back cover verticaly between cover and condenser coils,_Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx heat away from coils thus increasing efficiency ,,wiring is only simple ,tapped into original 12 volt so fan runs when on 12 volt,,also ran a new quick conect plug and switch to fan so that when runing on gas can also run fan only ,,, system works briliantly,,best of both worlds ,silence of gas with efficency of a compressor driven unit ,,engle ect...cheers to icy cold beer,,,,Axel,

Axel+Karen

thank you for help and info on Chescold the improvments on your unit
very impressive indeed and for such a small outlay
THANKS HEAPS for your reply Geoff

Axel+karen
you have certainly done your testing in a most professional manner
I am most impressed what i am considering in my caravan when I do
the big trip around aust in 12 mths time is to complement my van fridge
with a full time portable freezer.
in my van there is already a double door cupboard with a sliding shelf
which previously housed a 29 ltr Engel this cupboard is complete with
240 and 12 volt outlets and is vented to atmosphere via a fluted opening externel hatch .This was all custom built for original owner .
You have me thinking big time about the chescould AS A FREEZER
Thanks again geoff

The above results were well done and documented pls note these results may not be able to be reproduced if you you fit a 3 way fridge permantly in a cupboard or similar location in a van.this is because these units must be absolutely dead level to achieve great results,for example they will only just cool if used in a moving vehicle. it is recommended that you use a spirit level to adjust the position of the fridge to achieve good results,if you use it inside a van ensure you are able to fine tune and adjust to fridge to absolute dead level when parked. be assured you will not maintain sub zero temps while caravan is moving,otherwise they are an exceptionally reliable unit.

Geoff - no doubt all the replies you have got will have answered your query. The frig only needs to be level when running on gas - I generally level it by eye ! My Sadec frosts up the element on 12v (which it never did before) but I haven't done a check of actual temps. The combination of fan, extra insulation and heavy 12v power cable certainly made a considerable change to the inside temp of my frig. If your frig is in a enclosed area in a van I would think the fan/fans would help a lot. I am also going to change fan so it will run while on gas.

Goran,,two hours ,thermometer resting on glass of water in center of fridge ,solid ice in two hours ,,,,standard pot beer glass filled 2/3rds,,thermostat on maximum for all tests.. Axel.

THANK YOU to all for your advice and replys on chescold it is all top shelf.
MAL you have wet my appetite on fuel cells? can you or any other forum user provide any more info please

Having read the responses on this interesting subject I have realised why my Finch works so much better than other peoples I talk to. I run it in a Prado and the easiest place to put it is beside the vent outlet near the back door. When the air con is on there is a steady flow of cool air coming from that vent to the outside - hence there is a flow of cool air over the back of the fridge. It works brilliantly - far better than others who often say 12 v only maintains cool - but I always thought I was just the lucky one who got "a good one". Now it is all clear to me!! My advice is therefore - placement in the vehicle is of major importance!