Solar and fridges at home

Submitted: Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 14:11

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Portable Fridges

The debate over which fridge is the best on the market is one of the most contested discussions in the camping recreation. In this article we look at the range of features and the major issues to

Honky

To be able to buy some camping gear ie fridges and Solar panels I have to convince the misses that I can use it at home not just for camping.
In the case of solar panels and the fridge I have them set up so the Engle is on permanently and used as a beer fridge.
I also use LED lights for the front and back yard which gives me off the grid outdoor lighting.
All this is connected to a deep cycle battery and charged by the Solar panel.
When I go camping I just take the solar panel and fridge with me.
The battery stays home and with just the solar lights is good for over two weeks without charging.
My question is would I be reducing the life of the engle by having in running all the time or is it best to save it for camping only?

thanks
Honky

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Reply By: kiwicol - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 14:52

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 14:52

I have a explorer 12 years old and i have run it continuasly from new, i turn the settings to the lowest and fill it with water bottles.

It has never let me down.

Mates have their fridges and turn them off and most have had troubles, different brands.

Col

AnswerID: 470911

Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 15:28

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 15:28

I run my Engel as a bar fridge and have done so for many years and have had no problems, it goes into the car probably once every 3 months for a week or so.

AnswerID: 470913

Reply By: Gossy - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 16:03

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 16:03

depends which way you look at it. Some people don't exercise because they think that they have been put on this planet with only a certain number of heart beats!

Logic would say that having it on all the time would lessen the life span of it (it's mechanical with moving parts).

AnswerID: 470920

Reply By: Roughasguts - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 17:57

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 17:57

Fridges I guess work the same as the A/C in your car if you don't ever use it the seals dry out the gas falls out and there useless.

Use them all day every day and I have never had a problem with the car A/C.

I guess you could say the same for a fridge.

Cheers.

AnswerID: 470924

Reply By: the_fitzroys - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 21:16

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 21:16

Engle? Waeco? Hell, we have a 3-way Finch fridge about 15 or more years old. We've used it on 240V as a beer fridge for years but now just dust it off and take it camping a couple of times a year. It's amazing. Hope I haven't jinxed us by saying this :-)
Lou

AnswerID: 470945

Reply By: Member Andys Adventures - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 21:34

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 21:34

When you but an Engle it tells you in the instruction book : Do not turn fridge off for any lengths of time. They say it's bad for it so I leave mine on whether I'm using it or not.I put a bottle of water in it or it will run all the time.

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AnswerID: 470950

Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 21:36

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 21:36

I have an Engel and a Waeco – they are in continuous use.
We are retired and on the road about 6 months a year.
The other 6 months we’re home and they run all the time as beer/drinks fridges.
Engel recommends that their fridge should be treated like this.

AnswerID: 470952

Reply By: The Bantam - Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 23:57

Friday, Nov 25, 2011 at 23:57

My brother has purchased 3 engel fridges over the years.

the original little one he wore out running it 24/7/365, after about 15 years and it traveled some very rough roads too.

The second fridge that replaced it copped the same treatment for a similar period and still runs fine, but is semiretired

The current fridge is now about 5 years ols and it too runs 24/7/365 in the back of his work truck.

So I doubt that running the fridge all the time is an issue, it will outlast any new household fridge you buy.

cheers

AnswerID: 470960