Which Fridge? - medical

Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 17:43

ThreadID: 98091 Views:2918 Replies:8 FollowUps:7

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Pandora

Can anyone help?

To get out camping again I need to store medication between 2 and 8 degrees C.
Which fridges are able to reliably maintain this temperature control?

I think around 40 to 45 litres would be ample size.
Reliability is more important than cost.

I like the Autofridge, however I am unsure if the eutectic type of fridge will run too cold. Any freezing would be a major problem.

Thanks in advance.

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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 17:51

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 17:51

Trailbaza Fridges .
Seems their reputation is based on high performance fridges for vaccine supply in remote areas, globally......they have ultra thick insulation options.

AnswerID: 495172

Follow Up By: Rockape - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 18:21

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 18:21

2x for Trailblaza, Unicef all over the world and Australian use them for this.

FollowupID: 770846

Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 19:54

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 19:54

And another vote for Trailblaza.

As Bigfish says, they will custom build, and their 75mm, and thicker, insulation, makes them a very power-frugal fridge.

Pandora, in mild weather we have switched them off all night, and by daylight the contents were still in the temp range you specified. Not the prettiest kid in the ute, but by far the most efficient.Well, after an Autofridge anyway.

Bob.

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Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Nickywoop - Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 at 04:25

Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 at 04:25

And yet another Trailblaza vote here.

Will not beat them, especially in stinking hot weather.

You will never have to alter settings once set, no matter what weather you are in.

No need to rug them up in a blanket to keep them cool.

Best fridge I have ever seen for frugal power consumption as Bob stated.

Nick

FollowupID: 770882

Reply By: Member - Rosco from way back - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 18:12

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 18:12

Pandora

Apparently National Luna were originally developed for the WHO to transport drugs throughout Africa. Not a cheap fridge, but may be worth considering, given your requirements.

AnswerID: 495173

Follow Up By: Life Member - Phil B (WA) - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 18:23

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 18:23

2 x for Nat Luna.

cheers

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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 at 05:46

Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 at 05:46

x 3, national Luna are rugged and have lots of insulation. They were and still are used for blood transport across Africa.

Tony

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Reply By: Member - Barnray (NSW) - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 18:17

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 18:17

Pandora sounds like you need to keep insulin, I do, a compressor fridge or an Engle are the best choices. Backup power is going to be you problem. Barnray

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Reply By: Bigfish - Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 18:32

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2012 at 18:32

Trailblazer are certified by the WHO and a bonus is that you are buying from an Australian company with an excellent back up service. They can do custom fridges as well.
cheers

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Reply By: Member - Witchdoctor - Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 at 06:20

Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 at 06:20

Go with Trailblazer, Awesome product & equal back up & service. You will be buying Australian.

David

AnswerID: 495212

Reply By: Pandora - Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 at 10:33

Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 at 10:33

Thanks everyone who posted.
You have all helped me create a short-list.
Engel (x1).
National Luna (x3)
Trailblaza (x6)

I know a little about the Engel and National Luna.
Will give Norcoast Refrigeration a ring about the Trailblaza.

I like the idea of 75mm (plus) insulation to make a very power-frugal fridge.
Not altering settings once set, no matter what weather I am in would be ideal.

Cheers Pandora

AnswerID: 495228

Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Sep 21, 2012 at 10:50

Friday, Sep 21, 2012 at 10:50

When we did the Canning Stock Route, between us we had 2 Engels, 1 Autofridge, 1 Trailblaza & 1 Waeco.
The only ones that gave problems were the Waeco & the Trailblaza.

FollowupID: 771003

Reply By: Pandora - Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 at 10:38

Wednesday, Sep 19, 2012 at 10:38

I am also considering the power supply.

My current setup includes.
Two deep cycle batteries, one Optima D31M (blue) 75 A/Hr and one Optima D34 (yellow) 55 A/Hr. Either can be used as main or auxiliary.
Piranha management system DBE-150S. This automatically cuts out the auxiliary battery at preset voltage of 10.5 volts.
55 watt solar panel.

Will this be enough to stop for (say) a couple of days?
Would I be better off with more amp hours in reserve?

Thanks
Pandora

AnswerID: 495229