Dereks fridge (yes, yet another fridge query)

When?
The entire time they are running or does it vary as the temps inside reach the set temp?

Guzzi,
The elec load will vary depending on access to the fridge, ambient temp etc etc. The thing is, other fridges are far more efficient and draw less current.

Other than that its a good looking fridge.

Cheers

guzzi,
Stated simply, "draws" means they 'take' or 'use' 4 Amps, only when they are actually running, from the battery, as an instant number that can be measured and viewed on an ampere gauge, NOT as the usual Amp Hours generally nominated as the 'power use' for a fridge, which will be 2 Amp Hour, based on a very realistic 50% duty cycle based on the high side.
At a realistic 40% duty cycle it will probably equate to a lesser amp hour number than an Engel ??

Which according to blue's "they draw 4 Amps" post would then make them one of, if not the most efficient fridge available.

For a comparison
my fridge draws: ~8 Amps, or ~2.8ah @ ~40% duty cycle, which can be viewed and is fully explained on my Members page!

Guzzi,
This may help. Feedback from a 3rd party.

Trol replied:
Hi Rexy,

I have just come back from Kinkuna National Park, just South of Bundaberg. I have a 40 L Engel Fridge/Freezer that I purchased 4 months ago. I have dual batteries and have hooked the fridge into the accessories battery. Some friends that we were camping with had an Engel as well, same capacity, but purchased it some 4 years ago. Still going strong but was draining batteries really fast. The other 4WD had dual batteries as well and was setup identically.

I always take a Volt/Amp Meter with me and we measured the draw from both fridges. Our fridge drew 1.7 amps and the other fridge drew around 4.8 amps, quite a difference. The other fellow had 2 solar panels charging the battery but the best he could get out of the panels was around 6 volts.

We've since found out that Engel have improved the design of the fridges and that the insulation properties are different along with the compressor.

Drawing 1.7amps, I could leave the car without starting it for about 2 1/2 days. Ultimately, the perfect setup would be to have a glind shower that necessitates startup every night for heating water for showers etc. Even with the solar panels and power management system, the batteries in the other car were down to 7 volts within 24 hours. Plus you have the cost of solar panels at approx. $600 a pop. My thought would be to get an economical fridge that draws low amps that cools/freezes economically...

Trol

Cheers

Blue, how on earth does comparing two similar Engels with totally different power consumption numbers 'help' Guzzi in any way at all, it only adds to the confusion
will it be 1.7 amp or 4.8 amp ?
If it draws 1.7 amps @ 50 d/c = ~20 amps per day.


As Derek has now clarified, your post "they draw 4 Amps" is obviously incorrect.

seen it all before

I have read of the generally high regard most of the people here hold Derek in.
I too am sure that Derek is a good operator and on the level.
What I don't have is unbiased info on his fridge', thats all Im after.
Not trying to have a go at him or ABR at all.

I'll 2nd that statement....he backs up what he sells and does a lot of product research before he decides to stock a product.

No affiliation either...just a satisfied customer.....

Hey Rick, was wondering where you were, been a bit quiet lately. Pleased to see your still kicking....hahaha.

Hope to catch up down Collie way next month.

Cheers...Lionel.

Derek's middle name is INTEGRITY....

Grrr!!!

why is it you are not considering the other main brands.?

I am, however the other fridges have been done to death and as such there is a wealth of info out there.

Apart from ABR's web site there is little in the way of feedback/ reviews on ABR's fridge, this is the info Im seeking.

Price, size of fridge compartment , size of freezer, overall external dimensions, power management of ABR's fridge are all attractive and would suit my needs, I'm just trying to find out how those who have one are finding it and from that info how Ill make a decision on how it stacks up to the others in its class for my type of useage.

The other reason is I research things to death before I buy them when big dollars are involved and when you consider the price of a fridge, battery system and a means to keep it all charged its a substancial outlay of $$.

Fair enough Guzzi, good answer.. The fridge looks like it's well made a fair alternative to the other brands, 1.2AH average on test looks ok to me, I can't see a mention of warranty..? To me the warranty is critical because your spending $1000.? I like the size of the fridge to.