Powering the fridge..will this work?

Thanks Robin. You are quite right. I plan to upgrade when able
& was looking for a power system to handle both present & future
applications.....oldbaz.

Fair point - but if your style of going bush is that you stay in the one place for days (weeks) and don't drive around in the vehicle each day you'll need to purchase a couple of grands worth of batteries, solar panels (they seem to break a bit) and/or generator plus electronic thingies to control the charging and, ideally, more electronic thingies to rotate the solar panels to face the sun - especially in Vic.

Me...? I'll stay with the 3 way and a bottle of gas every couple of weeks.

Mike Harding

Hi Mike

Certainly accept that , can't beat the cost of buying energy in the form of gas, espically for long stays.

As an aside we camped in the hot desert last 4 days and even my waeco compressor fridge which is very effective at generating units of cold just couldn't keep up with the demands made on it in the form of cold drinks.
I ran the cars engine for 60 per day at fast idle just to keep things cool. Even the dog didn't seem happy until it got the cool water.

I think that's the essential difference Robin, and one which often seems to be missed on this forum - if you're travelling daily and thus keeping batteries charged a 12V (Engel/Waeco) is the way to go, no question - it'll get colder, faster. But if you need to stay in one place for some days a 3 way is hard to beat - as always, horses for courses :)

Mike Harding

PS. I know the area you were in quite well and it certainly can get a little warm up there :) Did you manage the climb to the summit of Milmed Rock?

Thanks, folks. You are certainly right about the versatility of the
3way, & I guess that todays model will have some improvements
over the 25 year old Finch. Will try suggestions below to improve
current effectiveness & maybe look at a new 3way....oldbaz.

Good stuff, Bonz, exactly the info I was after. I can appreciate your Fraser Experience without gas. Had several great trips there,
finally gave it away due to overcrowding & rubbish. Probably still OK
if you avoid holiday peaks. Thanks again....oldbaz.

What he said.

. . . and if you used adequate size wiring, I suspect it would work quite well on 12 volt.

By putting an Inverter in line, it will just suck up the same losses as thin 12 volt wiring is doing now.

Hi Mikes & Will, thanks for the input. On reflection I think the relative inneficiency may have been perhaps attributable to the 40
deg + temps in the Kimberley in April. Your suggestions re wiring are valid but it is hard wired to the battery with 6 sq mm + & _
& I thought that should be OK. I will follow your suggestions re gas & see how I go.....oldbaz.

Hi Oldbaz

The Finch fridges do start to struggle after about 35C ambient. I've had a Finch for a few years and recently bought a new Chescold RC1180 (the blue one) three way fridge/freezer. It is much more efficient than the Finch; in the recent hot weather here in Melbourne the freezer was holding -12C with the ambient at 40C and in more normal temperatures it sits around -18C. However they are expensive at around $1300 but you can pick up secondhand ones from time-to-time. Not too many on the secondhand market though because those of us who have them tend to hang on to them :)

You might also consider the Chescold green fridge/freezer (can't remember the model number) it's about $1000 and is a bit smaller than the blue one.

Mike Harding

Hi Mike, thanks for the info. Like me the Finch has lost efficiency
over the last 25 years. I have noted your Chescold details. I will
try some maintenance on the old Finch & it it may suffice a bit
longer. Interestingly a mate got a 3 way Mobicool 40 L for Xmas,
only cost $350 & is made by Waeco, will watch carefully.
cheers...oldbaz.

>Like me the Finch has lost efficiency over the last 25 years.

I know the feeling well oldbaz :)

Give the Finch a good clean of the gas jet and chimney and consider fitting a 12V computer fan near the heat exchanger; the fan may be run from a small battery (or the vehicle?) on hot days

I only upgraded to the blue Chescold because I wanted the freezer capability for extended stays when prospecting - could only keep meat for 3 or 4 days in the Finch. The freezer is great, I take meat and frozen veg in it and can last a couple of weeks no problem. But if you don't need the freezer then there is no real reason to upgrade.

Caution with the Waeco unit - the one I looked at did not include a gas hose or regulator in the price! And, frankly, I doubt a more modern "Chinese copy" of the Finch will do a whole lot better than your original.

Mike Harding

Thanks Gerry, I will follow your advice & hopefully gain some improvement....oldbaz.

G'day Steve, your inverter costs are a bit frightening. I was following Ebay ,where 1000/1200 watt modified sine waves,
continuous rating, are regularly going for around $120 to $150
inc delivery & Aust. warranty.
Off topic...have you struck Graeme Hockey ? Does upmarket
tours to Kakadu etc out of Darwin....cheers...oldbaz.

You pay the money an take the risk with some items...

Mainey . . .