Thursday, Jan 08, 2009 at 23:26
Drew, everyone can be
well meaning with advice and the waters can get muddied. But you have to define clearly how the fridge will be used & the trips you are likely to do.
If you are going to be camping remotely say 2 days + you might consider the 3 way system where the fridge is left in
camp (in shade) running on gas, they work
well as long as the flame doesn't blow out.
If left in the vehicle on 12v you would have to consider solar panels to keep the battery topped up unless you take the vehicle (and fridge) for a drive each day.
If you're on the road each day the battery will be OK. If in C/parks on powered sites you must have an extension lead and could leave the fridge in the
campsite if you need/want to.
Fridge size depends on what your own needs are, remembering you can load the beers in each morning for that day, you don't need to keep a weeks supply cold all at once. Meat cryo-packed into serves keeps for weeks without freezing & there are big supermarkets in most large towns to top up as needs be.
The most important factor in running fridges in a vehicle is ventilation around the fridge . . . . hot air MUST be dispelled for them to work efficiently and economically use power. Fridges produce heat and the motors will stew if they aren't ventilated adequately.
Thin walled fridges will fluctuate in temp more than those with adequate insulation, meaning they will be running more often (tough on batteries). I can't see the sense where some makers build thin walled fridges then sell an aftermaket insulated jacket to make them more efficient & these jackets cover over half the motor vents - crazy.
I've heard good and bad about both the major brands.
The one I use is a beast but you can't fault it for strength, efficiency. It's all aluminium with 50mm thick insulated walls, hand crafted and selected for the Aust. army. Manufactured in Qld. by a family company. Called the Trailblaza . . . .
check here
http://www.norcoast.com.au/
Best of luck
PS one more tip. To help keep the vehicle cool, cut some of that silver windscreen reflective shade blind to fit to the insides of the rear side windows of the 4wd. If this sounds complicated email me back & say "please explain"
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