rc1180 chescold freezer temperature

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 08:36
ThreadID: 41526 Views:9164 Replies:9 FollowUps:5
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I searched this site to try and find some information regards what freezer temperatures you can expect with one of these units (chescold rc1180). I have read here that people have been told by salesman that a gas fridge will only go about 30 degrees below ambient.

Well here are some of my measurments to help clear up some of this misleading information.

On a hot day in perth with a forecast of 36degrees I set the fridge up in the garage and ran it on gas. I already had it running on 240v before I set it up outside in the garage. By the time I got it going on the gas an initial reading inside the freezer was -6.9 deg and outside was 32.2 deg. Some 4 hours later the reading outside was 36.3deg and inside the freezer compartment sas -10.9deg. That is a respectable 47.2deg below ambient.

Left on overnight on 240 volt the reading inside was -17.9deg and the reading outside the fridge was 22.7deg . That is 40.6 degrees below ambient.

Therefore to be told that these units are only capable of 30 degrees below ambient in my opinion is very misleading indeed.

regards

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Reply By: Mike Harding - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 08:44

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 08:44
Thanks for that - excellent info.

Your post is the first time I have seen actual temperatures reported for the Chescold but, certainly, previous posters have clearly stated their gas fridges have performed well as freezers in FNQ and the NT in summer. Without doubt 3 way fridges are less efficient than compressor types so have to be operated with that in mind in regard to frequent opening and inserting of warm items. I also believe the newer Chescolds are more efficient than those of 10 years ago.

Having used my Finch 3 way successfully for some years my mind is firmly made up to upgrade to the smaller Chescold in a few months. For those of us who tend to camp in one spot for days at a time they are unbeatable this side of an expensive and bulky solar and battery setup.

Mike Harding
AnswerID: 217198

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 09:22

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 09:22
Hi pixiemops,

While your test does indeed show a 47C temp drop in simulated conditions, I have found that in real-life conditions that a 3-way fridge cannot compete with a 2-way (compressor) fridge for my useage type.

Before I bought my fridge, I borrowed several types to decide for myself (besides, its much cheaper to borrow a fridge than buy one!!!). With a Chescold sitting in the back of my 4WD, the sun shining in the windows and gear packed all around that minimises air flow, the 3-way could not even keep food below 5C (more like 8-10C, almost warm to the touch). Yes, this was on 12V but it had been on 240V prior (and it was cold then- ice on the fins). And it sucked the life out of my aux battery whenever I stopped for a period of time.

Then I borrowed an Engels on another trip. After my experience with a Chescold I turned the Engels to 5 (no temp markings on dial!) and put in a warm carton of beer. At the end of the day i was hoping for a nice cold beer, but when i opened the can, it was frozen!!! The difference in performance, in real life conditions, between the two was so different its not funny (and the temps were similair for both fridges). No prizes for guessing I bought an Engels for myself.

The point I am making is that a compressor fridge will significantly outperform a 3-way when sitting in a hot 4WD being bounced around and running on 12V. However, when camped for days on end in one place and being able to place the fridge in shade, a gas powered fridge certainly makes some sense, a lot depends on your usage requirements.

Cheers

Captain

AnswerID: 217206

Follow Up By: pixiemops - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 09:40

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 09:40
Thanks Captain

My real life experiece on 12v is different. I have had the car correctly wired on 12v for the fridge which means a dedicated wire from the battery (at least 6mm2 ). I don't leave the fridge in direct sun either. I find that the unit performs great on 12v when travelling as long as you have a good set up. An auto electrician set it up for me.

Also you never mentioned what unit you used. I would always suggest people buy the green or blue one. I have the cheaper grey finch and while it worked great for me for a number of years the blue one is certainly much more powerful. I put a fan under the condenser fins at the back in grey finch which made a world of difference to that (turned it into a freezer on 12v if i wasnt careful and turn it down) and I have also put a fan in my rc1180.

I respect that everyone has a fridge that they like and is suited to them . I think the chescold is great and for me I don't like the idea of having a duel battery solar set up etc just to go camping. Regards.
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Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 10:57

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 10:57
Hi pixiemops,

The chescold I used was a early 1990's vintage and was a mustard colour from memory. The engels I used was also from that same era and I know both types have improved their efficiencys since then.

Also, the wiring would not have been as heavy duty as it should have been, approx 4mm2 I guess, not the 6+mm2 that should be used. But the same wiring was used for both fridges.

I won't pretend that my comparison was necessarily "fair", but it was a genuine comparison between two different types in real life conditions using the same veichle in similair weather conditions (both hot!), conditions that many 4WDer's place their fridges under. And the differences were very significant, one kept everything ice cold and the other was better used as an esky. Perhaps a harsh comment but one that comes from my experience.

I have found that 3 ways are more suited for extended stays when electrical power is in short supply (and weather not too extreme) while compressor fridges are very suited to daily use on 12V while on or off the road, as well as extended stays if you have some means of powering it (and there lies the 3-ways biggest advantage!!!).

Choosing between a compressor and 3 way fridge is relatively easy - just work out what you camping needs typically are. Deciding on which brand to buy, well thats much more subjective - just look at all the engels vs weaco posts with no definitive answer :)

Cheers

Captain
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Reply By: Flash - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 10:01

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 10:01
The RC1180 has always been one of the best 3-ways on the market. Has plenty of "grunt" ( however it still won't compete with a good compressor fridge- but then they won't run on gas.)
Just DON"T forget to level it properly.
Cheers
AnswerID: 217216

Reply By: porl - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 12:47

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 12:47
So to save me doing a forum search cause i expect pixiemops answer to be very reliable - how much gas lasts how long on a fridge (not freezer setting) in the shade in summer ? Approx of course.

ta
AnswerID: 217241

Follow Up By: 75Troopy - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 13:29

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 13:29
I understand they say allow 400g (worst case) per day for the Chescold RC1180, however really more likely 350g.

Matt

PS Mine arrives tomorrow and we head off for a week in Bendethra, will report back then with some real numbers. Temps here are around the 30-36c at the moment.
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Follow Up By: porl - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 13:33

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 13:33
Thanks, that sounds like brissy temps. These units are looking increasingly attractive.
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Reply By: dags666 - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 14:59

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 14:59
hi pixi ihave a 110 litre waeco and a 3 in one Zero 70 litre and a 40 litre engle i go to Fraser and all the way to Birdsville. the zero made by primus is a ball biter in summer at double island the temp outside was 30 deg and the freezer on gas was down to minus 17 at times leaving the freezer shut, it has been down as low as minus 23 which for a three way is good. had a mate bought a chescold domic bleep itself first week he bought it got it replaced and it hasn't missed a beat and it got as low as minus 16. i find the gas will run a 9kg bottle 2 weeks 2days to the letter.as for the 12volt like any fridge if you load it up with hot stuff say a carton it will suck the guts out of the batteries the same as the gas load it up with hot stuff and the temp rises. my point is horses for courses and the way you manage your fridges loading and for the situation you are in. the arguments over whether one is better than the other, as long as it works for you dags
AnswerID: 217256

Reply By: Member - Barry M (NSW) - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 17:34

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 17:34
Well done..pixiemops, some good data on 3 ways there. You have also correctly
pointed out the these fridges will not perform to their capacity if plugged into the
ciggy socket. Wired correctly the story is far different. My 25 year old Finch still
does the job & they tell me the technology is now leaps ahead with the newer
3 way types...oldbaz.
AnswerID: 217278

Reply By: Andrew&Rosie - Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 21:24

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007 at 21:24
Have had very little luck with 3 ways as they shake to death over corrugated roads - not good for 4wdrivers. Also as soon as you head north past Alice where the humidity increases they dont work nearly as well.

I expect that a 3 way fridge/freezer should work well enough as a fridge (but no so good as a freezer) whereas a 3 way fridge will not cut it up north.

I too hate solar panels and after heaps of mucking around eventually settled on a mother of a truck battery (200amp/hrs cost about $200) that will run my old engel for around 6 days and then I simply charge it up when I get back into civilisation.

hope this helps
AnswerID: 217351

Reply By: 75Troopy - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 11:26

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 11:26
Well here's my first report...

Plugged in yesterday afternoon to 240V around 3pm and put a 2L bottle of water in the freezer (filled from the tap so pretty warm). This morning temps in freezer where -7 and the bottle had a solid amount if ICE in it.. not totally frozen through, but hard to break the ice. I'm guessing by end of day it would be frozen....

Connected to LPG about an hour ago to see if that makes much of a difference.

Pixiemops, can I ask if you ditched the dodgy looking connector they provide...? I'm thinking of voiding my warranty and pulling the back apart and connecting 6mm wire direct to the unit and running back to a Anderson plug.. Maybe use the old plug as the 12V input for the computer fan (maybe installed a small ni-card rechargable)...? Would also really appreciate if you could sketch of take a pic of where you mounted the fan... I'm scratching my head on that one.

Oh and of course the big question is... does the fan really make a huge difference ..? I'm actually pretty happy with it now.. Although I'm only getting 40c below ambient.. yours at 47c is doing significantly better... hmmmm
AnswerID: 217449

Follow Up By: pixiemops - Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 18:46

Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 at 18:46
Hi troopy

I did use that connector and do agree it seems a bit clumsy . I bought a small computer fan from the 12volt shop about 160mA I think and mounted it inside the back just under the top most coil . There is a small gap there could just squeeze it in and mounted it onto the steel wall there.

Then i connected the fan wires to that dodgy plug. Just before the plug on the positive fan lead I put in a 6amp power diode so the flow of current can only go one way into the fan. Then after the diode and before the fan I attached 1 lead to the positive fan wire and another to the negative and fed them outside of the fridge. I attached aligator clips to the ends outside the fridge then when camping I can attach a small rechargeable 12v battery to the aligator clips to run the fan. The diode stops current from trying to run the fridge as well. All is sweet when on the road as the diode still lets current go that way into the fan if you know what i mean.

Think you could just hard wire it straight through and solder the wires onto the ends that plug into the back of that dodgy plug. My other finch doesnt have a plug the wire just goes straight through.

Feel the fan must help alot as when running you can feel the heat built up at the top of the condenser and with the fan on she is nice and cool up there allowing the fridge to do more work. I havent done a check on temps starting with a 2l bottle I had a few 500ml ones in there. Sounds o.k though. Im always a bit cautious when it comes to temperature readings . I work in a lab and there can be a big difference between different thermometers. Good luck think you will be more than happy .

Regards
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FollowupID: 477987

Reply By: 75Troopy - Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 09:40

Sunday, Feb 04, 2007 at 09:40
Hi guys,

Thought I should report in, I spent a week in Bendethra and we had 3 or 4 really hot days ie 37c...! MY biggest problem was I kept freezing everything :-) On half way it was still -2.5...! (Not sure what it would have got to if I wound it right up) I used about 2/3 of the 4kg bottle.. (The old shake and guess method, far from reliable)

The giggle was I had to keep throwing warm beer in to try and keep the temps under control... thank goodness I had 60 cans to slow it down :-)

I'm very happy, this suits out "camping in one place for a week" approach VERY well.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Matt
AnswerID: 219592

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