Chescold RC1180 - must it be perfectly flat?

Yes, keeping it level will allow the solution to work correctly, and not "flood" the areas where the solution seperates etc.

With regard to using in car on 12v, have good sized wire to the unit, ie 8gauge or 12gauge as a minimum size, so as to keep voltage drop to a minimum as they draw a constant 9amps on the 12v heating coil unit.
The jiggling of the car on highway, and flat roads actually helps the solution a bit, however if your travlling in the high country on steep roads, the fridge's system will be prone to flooding, and will not work.

We also added 2 socket 7 sized computer cpu fans under the rear cooling fins blowing upwards, they used 0.2 of an amp, but really helped in transferring heat from those cooling fins whilst traveling on 12v.
I secured them by using some spare computer wire from a damaged power supply unit, so as to reduce vibration, and make it easy to modify. Used them like twistties on the top of bread bags
Worked excellently for a month on the road.
Once you stop the motor, take fridge out, level it, and put it on gas.


Trains

Hi Petengail,

I have the same unit, and I had an auto electrician set up the wiring using heavy duty wire with a 12 volt type plug fiited in the rear of the vehicle. These fridges drag a lot of power on 12 volt and it would be a mistake to try to run on a cigarette lighter style plug. Mine has been perfect in the cruiser on long trips and I have not had to worry too much about using a level.

Cheers Wayne.H

I used these things for years whilst travelling in the bush, the main issue is that they are not off level for great lengths of time. Going up and down hills won't hurt it. Just make sure when you are parked up that it isn't at too extreme an angle.

Here are some FAQs

Absorption fridges FAQs

Level while static is quite important for good function, but a spirit level may be overkill - mine was always fine, judged by eye. While mobile on 12V, level is of course hard to maintain but it seems not to matter - the car's movement must keep the fluids stirring around. As others mentioned, a healthy power supply line is vital, but even then, 12V is only for maintaining the temperatures you have gained initially via 240V or gas.

Hi

I found the easiest way to fit a spirit level is to buy one of the round ones, about 3cm across and only a few dollars. They have 3 small holes to screw in. Place a small amount of bluetac under the level. Then drill holes smaller than the small screws needed and gently screw into the required place. I have mine in the centre of the lid. By using the bluetack method you can set the spirit level up perfectly and I have found no problems with the level being knocked out of position once screwed down. I place the fridge on a known level floor, ie flat garage floor before fitting the level. That way as you screw the screws down you ca adjust them so that the level is perfectly centred while on the flat floor. This method is cheap, reliable and easy to do.

regards Kc

Pete, I agree with most of replies. We dragged one of these units in the back of our tray back across the Simpson Desert and it did not miss a beat. On 12 volt whilst travelling, switch over to gas for overnight stop. But must level
vehicle each night by digging hole in sand or building up sand. Performed just as good if not better than mates Engel.
Regards
Graeme