Chescold fridge/freezer

Submitted: Thursday, Oct 10, 2002 at 00:00
ThreadID: 2122 Views:2072 Replies:7 FollowUps:9
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I have just purchased a Chescold 39 ltr fridge/freezer 2 weeks ago. We took it camping with us last week for 5 days and connected it to the gas. I noticed that the metal element at the top left only frosted up on the right side. The left side of the element stayed frost free. The food directly below this element stayed frozen but the sausages over on the right side thawed but did stay very cold. On one of the mornings I placed my 1.5 ltr bottle of wine in the fridge and it was lovely and cold that afternoon so that proved that the fridge was cooling but is it normal for the metal element to only frost up on one side.
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Reply By: Andrew - Thursday, Oct 10, 2002 at 00:00

Thursday, Oct 10, 2002 at 00:00
I install split system air cons, and it is common for one of the pipes to frost over. Sounds normal to me.
AnswerID: 7305

Follow Up By: Michelle - Thursday, Oct 10, 2002 at 00:00

Thursday, Oct 10, 2002 at 00:00
Thanks Andrew. You've made me feel far more relaxed about my new purchase than I felt out on the ranges the other day.
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Follow Up By: Colin - Friday, Oct 11, 2002 at 00:00

Friday, Oct 11, 2002 at 00:00
Yourll be sorry !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Reply By: paul - Thursday, Oct 10, 2002 at 00:00

Thursday, Oct 10, 2002 at 00:00
Andrew

If you now about air-cons maybe you know about fridges.

The common 12 camping/4WD fridges using compressors use cooling pipes - as opposed to our domestic fridges which i understand use fans blowing air over cooling pipes into the freezer and then dropping into the fridge which means with the wind chill factor although a freezer is usually at minus 18 degrees when the freezer is working it is blowing air at about minus 25 degrees or more onto non-frozen food which i understand is why camping fridge/freezers that pull down to minus 18 always take hours longer than a domestic freezer to freeze something.

So why doesn't someone make a camping fridge based on this principal with a freezer that works that way a domestic one does ? Is it just size and weight that seems so prohibitive ?
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Reply By: Jason - Friday, Oct 11, 2002 at 00:00

Friday, Oct 11, 2002 at 00:00
Hi Michelle,
We also have similar fridge as yours, and had the same trouble some time back, an old timer suggested that we let the frige run on gas for about 3 or 4 days before your trip and leave something in there so it can freeze up, we usually leave a bottle of water, that way when you do travel, and plug it in the 12v supply it dosen't have to work hard as it is already working at peak performance, we have also travelled on the way home and occasionally not plugged it in the 12v supply and the left over meat is still frozen even after 4 hours in the car on an average day. You should find that the frigde stays alot colder and is more prone to freezing on gas as it is more efficent using this type of energy.
Regards Jason
PS. Dont leave beer or wine in the bottom of the frige as they are hard to consume frozen.
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Follow Up By: Michelle - Tuesday, Oct 22, 2002 at 00:00

Tuesday, Oct 22, 2002 at 00:00
Ok and your right, a frozen bottle of wine would be similar to not having a bottle opener!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Michelle
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Reply By: Michelle - Friday, Oct 11, 2002 at 00:00

Friday, Oct 11, 2002 at 00:00
Thanks Jason, I will try that tip over the weekend. Last night I had the fridge plugged in to 240v with a cup of water in it. This morning the water was frozen more than I think it would have been in my deep freeze. I think I just need to try it out on the gas until I get a better understanding of its working capabilities. Like camping, this fridge is very new to me. Thanks very much Jason.
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Follow Up By: Michelle - Friday, Oct 11, 2002 at 00:00

Friday, Oct 11, 2002 at 00:00
PS I think I also need to get a better feel for this program!!!!! Only found it yesterday.
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Follow Up By: Michelle - Friday, Oct 11, 2002 at 00:00

Friday, Oct 11, 2002 at 00:00
PS I think I also need to get a better feel for this program!!!!! Only found it yesterday.
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Reply By: Vince Barnes - Saturday, Oct 12, 2002 at 00:00

Saturday, Oct 12, 2002 at 00:00
My chescold works the same way. The night before I go camping I run the fridge 0n 240v,then 12v in the 4wd & finally on gas once I set up camp.When not camping I use the fridge as a beer fridge & it keeps the beer very cold.
Regards
Vince
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Follow Up By: Michelle - Tuesday, Oct 22, 2002 at 00:00

Tuesday, Oct 22, 2002 at 00:00
Thanks for the tip on the beer but I will make a little adjustment and make mine wine. Michelle
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Reply By: Bruce - Sunday, Oct 13, 2002 at 00:00

Sunday, Oct 13, 2002 at 00:00
Michelle..if the unit is not dead level and i mean exactly level , it will usually do this ..ours does...so we are giving it the flick and will use our engel instead...uneveness doesnt matter with it cheers bruce
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Follow Up By: Michelle - Tuesday, Oct 22, 2002 at 00:00

Tuesday, Oct 22, 2002 at 00:00
Thanks Bruce but cos ours is only new I will work on it. Michelle
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Reply By: Derek - Sunday, Oct 13, 2002 at 00:00

Sunday, Oct 13, 2002 at 00:00
Michelle. I have one of these fridges and it performs great. Here are some tips I've found over the years.
1 ALWAYS keep the fridge level through 2 planes (I've glued a small spirit level on mine).
2 They are effected by the temperature of the day eg the hotter the day, the more they struggle.
3 Make a small stand with adjustable legs so as to get the fridge off the ground and allow circulation.
4 Keep it in the shade.
5 When camping, allow air to circulate all around the unit.
6 Keep the coil and plumbing etc at the back, clean and dust free.
7 Use the thickest possible cable when running them on 12 volts so as to minimise voltage drop.
And lastly, Engels are good except when you are camped in one place for several days. Happy camping.
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Follow Up By: Cj - Tuesday, Oct 15, 2002 at 00:00

Tuesday, Oct 15, 2002 at 00:00
I think Derek has covered this subject well - the only things I would add - are 1. fit a computer fan inside the rear to aid circulation when running on 12v inside the car 2. I covered my Sadec with self adhesive foam backed foil from Clark Rubber - both these mods made a huge difference !! Also my current car (Subaru Forester) has window tinting applied which keeps inside temp a lot cooler.
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Follow Up By: Michelle - Tuesday, Oct 22, 2002 at 00:00

Tuesday, Oct 22, 2002 at 00:00
Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate it. Regards Michelle
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