Evakool Dual Temp Fridge/Freezer Range

See Message 4146 for feedback on the DT60

Sloth all dual fridge/freezers are a comprimise. The Evakool is the best of a the bunch, but you will need to use an indoor/outdoor thermometer from Dick Smith or Tandy. You need to put the outdoor sensor in the fridge part to ensure the fridge is at the required 4c to 6c. Personally I prefer an all fridge or freezer. We have enough fridges to run two as freezers and three as fridges. One fridge is taken up with beer and other mixes for drinks for passengers.
You have to ask yourself do you really need a freezer. I would suggest no, you need to learn how to buy and cater. I am interested to hear why you think you need a freezer/fridge instead of all fridge. I am leaving again on Thursday morning for a week so if you post back before then I will reply.

Cheers Scott for your comments. If you know of another way to keep meat fresh for four weeks then i am listening?!!

We regularly spend four weeks at a time "getting away from it all". During this time we do not travel back to town, and instead enjoy the fruits of the bush. The fridge/freezer seems to be the obvious solution for us. It really only needs to keep meat frozen, chill 2 beers per day (and maybe a bottle of champers if the missus gets frisky), and a couple of condiments.

sounds great. maybe i should get a cryovak machine as well?

:)

Have two evakool fridges, a 68 litre and a 70 litre DT. They are good. Travel with family and little one who is still on the bottle. Recently spent 4 days with both fridges and running two, 2 foot house flouros (converted to run on 12 volt). Stored meat and frozen vegies for an extra family of 4 as well. Have dual batteries in vehicle and 90 hr deep cycle in trailer. Started the car once for about 15 minutes. No problems at all. Mind you I was upstream on the shoalhaven river so its not tropical temps. Fridges opened quite regularly, for kids and lots of beer.

The only problem I have had which would be the same for all fridges is the plugs. I recently did a trip in Qld and lost power 3 days in a row. Problem was voltage drop across the plug they come with. Regardless of the brand, change your leads and plugs (from cigarette types) in vehicle/trailer to good quality plugs to avoid voltage drops. Evakool have a low voltage cut out at 10.3 volts (or 10.7 volts in earlier models). This is measured at the compressor. I was having 1.5 volts drop across the plug that they came with. This means 11.8 at battery - 10.3 at compressor so it would cut out. I called into the factory in Qld and they steered me this way and not a problem since.

I have made up extra leads as you need a cigarette lighter plug to plug into the 240 volt convertor.

I can carry the 70 litre fridge from car to inside camper by myself. Any bigger unit, say the 90 and it would be getting harder to do.

As for freezing, freeze what you can on the 240 or while driving on boost. We take water iceblocks for the kids (in the plastic sleeves) and they freeze quite good. I keep a couple on top of the freezer section as they are a good indicator of the tempature.

As for their insulation qualities. I also have a 120 esky that we used to use, could camp for 2 weeks in the bush without adding ice. Must be good.