Camping Locations & Equipment

3 way hint: they are not the best at pulling warm things down to low temperature so when you replenish your beer/wine/water etc it's best to do so first thing in the morning when the liquid is at it's coolest.

Mike,

How does the 1180 perform in 40+ weather?

We've got an old Chescold which is great until it gets to 30+ and then it's not worth two knobs of goat chit.

I know from experience that a suitably rated (T) caravan fridge will work fine in the heat, whereas the ST rated units die.

If I could find a gas fridge that will work as well as the compressor job in the heat, I'd buy one.

So far, with dual battery, solar panel, generator and the fridge itself, I've got nearly 4 grand tied up in keeping stuff cold. And that is absurd.

Regards,

Jim.

Morning Jim

>How does the 1180 perform in 40+ weather?

Pretty well, I had it running over a few days of 45C and it's internal temp did rise (can't remember what to) but I wasn't concerned about the meat in the freezer. At those ambient temperatures there is no question a compressor fridge will out perform a 3 way.

>If I could find a gas fridge that will work as well as the compressor
>job in the heat, I'd buy one.

You're welcome to borrow mine for a test before shelling out $1300 if you would like?

>So far, with dual battery, solar panel, generator and the fridge
>itself, I've got nearly 4 grand tied up in keeping stuff cold. And
>that is absurd.

Couldn't agree more! After deciding that I needed a freezer in addition to a fridge I went into the whole thing at length - batteries, gens, solar, Engel, Waeco and decided that for my style of camping (same place for up to two weeks) it was going to cost me close to $3k to set up for a 12V fridge and in the High Country solar panels will be very limited due to short daylight, low light levels, dense tree cover etc.

Mike Harding

Thanks for the offer Mike, but are you sure you want to do that publically; our dear freind Ghengis Khan (Vic) will be suggesting were sleeping together LOL.

The fact that it works well enough in the heat is all I needed to know. I'm having a serious look at changing a lot of our gear.

On our last trip I had 2 12 volt lights and a rechargo lantern fail. I'm getting sick of moving the solar panel all day long and then firing up the gennie at night.

I'm far from sure that the move to the "sophisticated" 12 volt set up was wise. We tend to stay in the one place. Hooking up the gas bottle to the fridge, bringing the old Gas Lantern out of retirement and having bugger all to do with power from the point of arrival until the time of departure is appealing.

Cheers,

Jim.

>our dear freind Ghengis Khan (Vic) will be suggesting were
>sleeping together LOL.

Well... you've always sounded like a nice boy to me.... :) Anyway it might brighten up a dull life for Ghengis :)

>The fact that it works well enough in the heat is all I needed to know.

No problem, the offer stays open if you change your mind.

>I'm far from sure that the move to the "sophisticated" 12 volt set up was wise.

Speaking as an electronics engineer; I tend to agree with you.

I've ditched my electric lighting for a Coleman dual fuel lamp and my only electrical needs now are the 12V shower on a 7Ah gel cell (lasts forever) and my Amateur Radio which I take a 90Ah AGM specifically for - the battery normally lasts for the duration of my stay and if it gets a bit low I top it up from the vehicle - so no gen either.

Mike Harding

Morning Bruce

>What 3 way fridge would you recommend

I think you're a bit limited for choice; I believe the Kmart type ($300) is 33lt (same as my old Finch) then there is the Chescold F400 ($1k) which is 39lt and the RC1180 ($1300) which is 30/16lt (fridge/freezer) or 50lt as only a fridge or freezer.

I found the Finch to be quite adequate for two adults for five or six days. My practice was to freeze all meat at home and put it in the bottom of the Finch on the day of leaving. Generally it remained frozen for the whole of my stay.

>I assume it will need to be under cover in case it rains

Nope. Mine had many heavy soakings - just ensure you allow 3 or 4 days for it to completely dry before connecting it to 240V.

>i suppose its not advisable to have it in the front of our tent

It'll be fine in the tent, just make sure you don't place inflammable material near the burner - simply common sense applies.

Mike Harding

Just one tip on putting it in the tent (and I wouldn't), you have to be 100% sure there are no leaks.

I know some clowns who put one inside a tent and didn't have the fittings tight enough (this would seem to be the explanation as what was left in the aftermath would defy investigation by a forensic lab). The gas leaked away until it reached the flame in the fridge and blew everything to the Scheissenhausen.

Fortunately they were fishing went it went bang.

The chances of a leak developing are minimal if everything is well tightened, but it's possible.

Cheers,

Jim.

Fair point Jim.

If staying just overnight I often leave the fridge running on gas in the back of the vehicle but I always crack all four windows 10mm open.

Mike Harding

Thanks Mike,

Do you know anywhere in Victoria where I can get an RC1180 etc I live in the north 15mins from the Melb Airport. I think 33ltr will be a bit small for us, I have borrowed my brother's 60lt Engel and it was quite adeqaute.

Or possibly I may even buy one from Kmart see how it goes and if all goes well get 2 and still be way in front instead of buying all the 12volt stuff and spend $1000's I don't have.

I have read a fair bit about 3 way's now and get mixed reports, if I run the fridge on 240v for a few days before i leave and then run it on 12v for the trip will it stay cold, and is it likely to melt the plug as some people have said.?

Bruce

Bruce,

I can get you one for a LOT less than $1300.

Jim.

Hi jim,

How much we talking I dont have huge budget that's why I was going to opt for the Kmart $ 300 version and get another one before our next outing, if all goes well with it.

Bruce

Bit of confusion here I think - how unusual on the internet :)

The RC1180 is the top range Chescold 50lt 3 way - retails at about $1300.

The Kmart/Repco Chinese 33lt 3 way I suggested you buy retails at $300

Jim's kind offer refers to the RC1180.

>if I run the fridge on 240v for a few days before i leave and then
>run it on 12v for the trip will it stay cold

Run it on 240V for 24 hours or so before you leave and keep the food you wish to take in your home fridge - transfer food to the 3 way anytime after it's being running for 24 hours. Ensure you have a GOOD 12V supply to the 3 way - a cigar lighter socket and a few feet of cable is NOT good enough. Although for a journey of less than five hours their "esky" capacity is quite sufficient to keep stuff cold.

>and is it likely to melt the plug as some people have said.?

Not if you wire it correctly! A 3 way fridge draws about 8 amps and requires decent wiring (cigar lighter plugs are, electrically, indecent and should be prosecuted for impersonating an electrical connector!).

Additionally, because of the high 12V current draw don't leave it connected to the vehicle 12V for more than about one hour unless the engine is running.

Mike Harding

Thanks Jim,

Much appreciated , once I get me gear and no for sure we will be going I will give you a call that will be great.

Thanks again