I know I know another fridge question

Are you sure? I reckon you do need to buy a Waeco!

Yeah, id be taking Moggs advice, im pretty sure you need to buy a Waeco.

Good idea for base camping, they will freeze on gas or 240v, but pretty ordinary on 12v.
I saw them the other day for $349.00

Ron

Got the same problem - Engel 40L fridge which is great on the short stays for two of us but when going for that few extra days find we need another cooler.

I had a look at a few of the 3 way fridges and found some work great on gas which is what I want it to do, yes some will freeze running on gas - note same situation on powering engel for those extra days.

Buying another 12/240V fridge wont solve the problem. I have dual system in the Mav and a deep cycle on the trailer - which is trickle charged by a solar panel - still will flatten battery in 7 days with lighting / fridge etc...

I like to setup camp and not have to keep switching things around - this is relax time wasting.

Check-out the 3 ways mate - let us know how you go

Vinnie

I use two Evakool Esky's and freeze bottles at home. Top it up with chrushed Ice and it lasts for up to 5 days. you get ice pretty much on each corner those days and the only battery I need is the one in the torch when I get my beer out of the esky in the dark........works beautiful :-)

Reiner

Ron

To address the question you actually asked.

We only used a Chescold (cica 1988) for 15 years, and as soon as we got to a camp site would get it out of the car, set it up sheltered from wind and sun, and run it on gas.

It does struggle on stinkin' hot days, but we found we could keep our stuff cold by making sure it was always sheltered from wind (ie put it on leeward side of tent / camper trailer etc), MAKE DEAD SET SURE IT IS DEAD SET LEVEL BOTH WAYS (yes I am yelling because so many people ignore this requirement, caravanners too), and give it as much shade as you can.

If necessary. wet towels on top in very hot weather.

Its not a compressor fridge, and on 12 volt it just holds steady while you are travelling and will flatten your battery if you do not have a switch or relay to turn it off while you are stopped. Try to run it on 240 volt to get it cold, or put the stuff in frozen (not beer).

It did us well.

Max

Thanks for replies guys cept the Waeco brigade as usual zzzzzzzzzzz yawn.

Shaker what model did you have mate?

Ron

I have a 50l chescold for sale at the moment on ebay. It is very thirsty on 12v but on gas runs great, it has never let me down and it works in some pretty hot temps, as said, it helps to keep it sheltered and out of the sun. The split divider is good as you can freeze one side and kepp the other cool or have one big fridge with the divider removed. a 4 litre gas bottle from memory almost lasts a week.

A month around Tassie tested it out and we ran it on the car during touring and as soon as we pulled up we got it out of the car and switched it over to gas.

We've been very happy with an Electrolux "Finch" 3-way fridge for several years.

I make these observations.

They do NOT have to be absolutely level. I cringe when I hear about people using spirit levels --- about level will do nicely.

They are very miserly on LPG. Consuption in mild conditions will be less than 200 grams per day -- even less in winter. So figure on 1 kilo to 1.5 kilos per week.
Overnight they can be either be switched off altogether or put on the barest of minimum setting.

Allow plenty of circulation around the rear, and of course, keep it in the shade.

NOW, we have another Electrolux, a bar fridge, which is even more miserly, and has the added advantage of more gas control. It will freeze liquids if allowed to remain on high. (Iin fact, it even has a tiny freezer compartment).

The advantage, as your probably know, of a top-opening fridge is that the cold remains in when you open the lid, whereas the bar fridge lets plenty out. On the other hand, the trade-off is more convenient access to all the food and drinks.

I've had the 40Lt. Chescold for 6 years now, and although it's pretty ordinary on 12volt, she's a ripper on 240 or gas, despite the temperature. Keep it in the shade, keep it ventilated, and make sure it's level. I bought a wooden bathroom base, about $10.00 in Bunnings. Get that level, then drop the fridge on to it. Works a treat. Used it in FNQ, the Kimberley and NT, in very hot weather with no problems. I'm going to up my 12volt wiring, and should see an improvement then.Check out thread Number 39883 where this topic has been given a good going over.

Hi Ron,
I have an Evakool now but previously had a Chescold 35 litre 3 way fridge.
As mentioned above they can be average on 12 volts but brilliant on gas or 240v.

Most of our camping is in fairly hot climates around central Queensland and the Chescold didn't seem to struggle at all even in the middle of summer. I tested it one Christmas on gas on a 37 degree day and fired up the fridge on gas and put a cup of water inside. It was frozen in 2 hours and that was having the fridge warm before startup.

I changed to the Evakool because I also need to use my fridge in our yacht and I won't have LPG in a boat as well as yachts tend to run too far out of level for too long for a gas fridge. Otherwise I reckon I still would have the Chescold. I sure miss setting up camp on Fraser Island for a couple of weeks and just starting up the gas fridge and forgetting about it. Now I am chacking batteries and moving solar panels etc. Running the Chescold at about 2 degrees in these conditions a 4.5kg LPG cyclinder would last about 1 week.

As said above, double check for level when you set it up. My brothers business is LPG and he stresses this issue constantly.

I hope this helps mate,

Brett

I've had 3-way fridges in the past and present, and also have an engel. For what it is worth, in my opinion you will never get a 3-way to operate efficiently in 40 degree heat. Stick with the engel and enjoy your beers cold!

Carl

hi ron
have just purchased a 35 lt 3 way primus fridge for $370. thought it was pretty good value. havnt had in on a trip yet (will over xmas beak) but have had it running in a very hot garage for the past 2 days. got down to about 0 overnite then back up to 5 or therabouts. have it running on 240v at the moment havnt tried the gas yet. have frozen chicken in it and its still frozen so thats a good start!
regards
greg

hi ron
not sure about the exact temp in the garage but i am in perth and it faces west would say it would be in the mid to high 30's. we bought the fridge from billabong camping as we are hiring a camper from them in may for a trip up the gibb river road, bungle bungles etc. checked out all the waeco's and engles but very expensive for one trip. we were going to hire one but the cost nearly paid for the primus plus you have the battery issues with the compressor fridges. figure that when you stop, even for a few hours, just flick the primus over to gas. will let you know how it goes down south over the xmas break.
regards
greg
ps you have to check out where there is a local dealer for primus, they are not available in most big camping stores, in wa anyway.