Brass Monkey Fridge

Jim, I can see a power pack in one of the photos which I guess is a 240 vac to 12 vdc in which case it only has the one power lead into it, is this correct?

Yes, only one input point. It cannot be connected to 12 and 240 simultaneously as some fridges do and automatically switch to 240 when available.

I have a Waeco like that but I modified the power supply by fitting a relay, if the 240V is there it disconnects the 12V supply, very simple to make.

I could be very interested in these as my 40L Engel has bombed out after 10.5 years, will try and fix it but this could be an option for me.

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Kazza,
I had a good look at these in the Jaycar showroom a few weeks ago. They looked solid and well made, at least as good as Waeco, maybe better. Furthermore, Jaycar have a well earned reputation for reliable products and that price can't be beaten.

Agree with you Allan B, my first fridge was a Super Cheap special and it was a heap of $hit. Even the King fridges from 4WD Supacentre look good for the price and seem to have a good reputation.

They are also sold at Road Tech Marine, owned by jay car.

Not as critical as it once was. Back in 2004 I paid $750 for 64 watt solar panel with regulator. A few weeks back I got a 300 watt folding kit, with panel, bag and leads for $175.

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Batt's,

The advice to let stand for a period after unpacking relates to compressor oil collecting in unwanted locations if the fridge should have been on its side. This goes back a long way in time for all fridges and is less often advised today due to reduced oil volume and fridge design. Neither Engel nor Waeco mention it in current user manuals.
Maybe Brass Monkey is being old-fashioned or over cautious. Their expression would not give me concern.

The Brass Monkey manual states that the fridge can be operated at up to 45 degrees tilt for short periods and up to 5 degrees for long periods. I would expect those limitations would be satisfactory for off-road use. The fridge is marketed for vehicle use.... BM would be in deep trouble if it could not handle a bit of rock'n'roll.
The same manual specifies ventilation as "200mm at back, 100mm at sides". I could not determine where the "back" is but I would presume that the greater dimension should be where the condenser air vents are.
The Engel OWNER MANUAL specifies "6 inches (150mm) clearance" on all sides, so that is greater than the Brass Monkey. The Engel SERVICE MANUAL deals more specifically with ventilation using a diagram to show the cabinet air vents and the required air path. This is more appropriate advice as it is important that the expelled hot air is not drawn back through the inlet path.

I guess that makes me lucky, Allan. My Engel (a 70's MRFT514) doesn't have forced circulation, so it only requires a decent clearance around the condenser pipework. Simples.

Purchased a 50ltr one 3yrs ago ,they are also branded 6thGear from Melbourne and have had not a moments trouble with it in both the NSW/Vic high country in all types of weather running it as a fridge then as a freezer up in the Barkly Tableland and Limmen Bight last July/August.
Only had approx 50-100mm clearance for the compressor vent.
only difference appears to be side V end opening.
Ed

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As you say Zippo, it still requires "decent clearance" for its convection airflow.

Thanks Ed, that's reassuring.

No worries see how they go