fridges

3 ways can be good when you're planning on staying in the one spot for a decent period of time, or if you want to leave the fridge/freezer at the camp site while you go for a drive. Also good if you're going somewhere with a vehicle, like some of the islands off QLD that you can camp on. As far as I know you can run a reasonable sized freezer for around 20 days on a 9kg gas bottle.

I reckon if you're going to spend the money you might as well get a 3 way. They're just that bit more versatile.

matt

Hi Skipp,

I’ve had 4 camping fridges, one three way, two Engels and a Waeco. Didn’t have any trouble with any of them but I prefer the Engel or the Waeco.

These units will run in the vehicle comfortably and don’t need to be as level as the three way. They chill down much faster and can be used as a freezer if required.

You will need good batteries and if you are not driving you’ll need some way of charging them.

I have a 1kva Kipor which has been very reliable and runs my 15amp smart charger on idle.

The Kipor looks and sounds like a Honda but like most things you get what you pay for.

The 1kva Honda will surge to maybe 1.6kva to start a motor and then run on 1kva all day, the Kipor will stall if you exceed it’s rated capacity.

I had the quality of the 240v power checked out when I first bought it and the sine wave is very good but not pure. It will run sensitive equipment (chargers, laptops, TVs etc) with no problem so for the price I’m very happy with mine.

Hope this helps,

Keith

Hi Skipp

I have a Chescold 3 way and I love it for when I go away for 3 or more days. I would normally run it on 240 2 days before I go and then have it running in 12v in the car. The Chescold are no good running on 12v and it will only keep the temp the same, but if you get some heat in your car 12v is not enough to keep it cold and the temp will start climbing. When I get to the camp site get it on the gas and it's very happy and will start to cool very fast. It works great if you are not moving places but I like to go driving and fish then packing up the gas and getting it back onto the 12v is becoming a pain and I am looking at getting a 12/240 compressor type fridge. They cool allot faster but like the other said you need a good battery system to keep it running

I am selling a Chescold (metalcase version) in Sydney for $350. Works perfectly on all three. Includes all fiitings and cables.

Wejust don't go camping in the one place for a week anymore.

Mike 0419 992 119

Engel Engel Engel did i say engel. Skipp save the money buy an engel or a Trailblazer, i saved up and got the 39l engel and the Honda generator i use is my father in laws works a treat. In laws have got to be good for something????

I have a 3 way and a 39L engle.The 3 way works best on gas, when your on the move you have to switch over to 12 volt it really suck's the power.But if you are going to be at a caravan park and can plug into 240v no probs.
I would suggest the most versitile would be the Engle, or other 12v jobs.

Best of Luck
Scoof

I have an old chescold 3 way in the shed as my beer fridge....runs permanently on 240V tho i have used it on 12V.

Not too happy with its chilldown and holding temps. i would definitley spend the extra to get into a more mainstream fridge eg waeco/engel.

Unless u like camping for days at a time, and have gas to burn...no battery drain is a good feature.

Rev

Hi Skipp,

I think you can nearly answer this question yourself by answering how long you plan to stay in one spot each time you go camping. If it is longer than about 3 - 5 days then the 3 way would be the go, but if it is less than 5 days then go the 12v option.
I have both a waeco and an engel (portables), and the caravan had the 3way until I realised how ordinary the van fridge was in N Queensland. So the van fridge is also a waeco 12v job now, only downside here is the weight of the battery bank in the van to cope with 10 day stopovers.
For the records 105AH aux battery in car runs 30lt waeco for 3 days no probs.
Hope this helps.

Regards Trevor.

Have a 30L Waeco and a 15l Waeco. (Bought the 15l first which is the thermoelectric style. Designed to be straped on the back/middle seat or put on the floor. Great whilst travelling for keeping drinks cold as long as they are already chilled. Slow to pull down from warm. Also great at heating baby bottles on the move!) 30L worked a treat in our 89 Jackaroo a couple of years ago in Darwin through the wet season. Also gets plenty of use through summer here usually around 35-45 degrees. Runs off a second battery 85ah deep cycle. Longest I have had it running without charging the battery is 2 days, no problems. Have no problem recommending them. Can't be bothered with the engel/waeco debate. Have no complaints. Only regret is wish I had have gone for the 40lt, it's amazing how quick you fill them up!

IMHO I would say shop around between the two and get the largest you can afford of either brand that will fit in your available vehicle space.