Cooling performance of fridges (Engel etc and 3 way) - some numbers (1 Viewer)

[spressomon]

Surfpig, Does your new fridge have the built in thermometer? I saw, somewhere, the new model ARB/Engel has a digital thermometer now...

Also if you get the solar charger thing figured out please post the info up!

 

[Landpimp]

my ARB goes down to 0, I kept 3 gallons of Baskin and Robins ice cream in the back of the 100 series on a 90 deg day, stayed at 0 all day long.

 

[surfpig]

spressomon said...

Also if you get the solar charger thing figured out please post the info up!

Will do, I'm putting my first version to the test this weekend... ARB and party lights will be plugged-in 24/7 in 100 degree heat for 4 days...

 

[surfpig]

spressomon said...

Oh yeah, I was going to post results of my trial run with the solar panel... Well. New post? Not quite yet... Lets just say camping in the redwoods is not conducive to solar power. I had about 2 hours of sun a day, my battery was dead (for starting) after a day. I moved the truck to a sunny spot (almost full day) on day two, still couldn't start it. So, for my trial run, I'd say it was pretty much a flop. Things to consider: I ran party lights off an inverter most of day(night) one, as well as the stereo (low draw) and my ARB. My battery is old, but still "good". Through all this (four days...), the fridge ran fine, beer and perishables were cool and delicious, just couldn't start the truck. So the draw is minimal, and a small solar panel can probably handle the drain from a ARB/engel, etc, refrigerator if it gets full sun for at least 4-5 hours a day. My next step is to figure out if a "deep cycle" Optima-type battery will help with the constant (small) draw this type of appliance needs, and what can still start the truck. I'd rather not do dual batteries, but if that's what it takes...

Anyone else got any ideas?

nial

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Anyone else got any ideas?

nial

Optima yellow or blue top-will solve all your issues. Your battery is low on amp hours or your lights draw more than you think. My fridge can run for 2 days and the battery will still start the truck.

If you have a Costco near you, check out the D34M battery.

 

[spressomon]

I just got my dual battery setup installed complete with the new PowerGate isolator. I should have my new fridge/freeze next week and am anxious to see how all this works (or doesn't ) I went with the Exide Orbitals (regular for my main and the DC for the second).

What is the output of your solar charger?

 

[Dunbar]

I too just installed my dual battery setup that Dearborn built for me. I got an Optima blue top deep cycle for my second battery. I ran my new Norcold 60 quart fridge all night on setting 2 and then ran a flourescent shop light for an hour the next day with the fridge still cranking and the battery is down on volts where the inverter gives me the warning buzz if I turn it on. The cars volt meter shows a charging situation. Of course with the isolator the red top starts the truck with no proplem.

I have only commutted to work once, 22miles each way, and perhaps thats not enought to charge it back up. Anyone know if I can use a regular charger on the Optima's? Paper work says something about using a constant voltage charger.

Dunbar

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Great thread...

Engel does make a thermometer kit for the cooler, but it isn't anything too sweet, looks just like many of the units you guys are using. I havn't heard any plans of a built in unit?

 

[surfpig]

What is the output of your solar charger?

The panel is a 25 watt, I think it generates about 2 amps of current. It should cover the draw of the fridge, but like I said, the battery is at least 4 years old, and I've worked it pretty good this summer...

To keep things charged up nice, I really need 2 panels this size, if I'm figuring things right, but i'm pretty much out of money right now.

Nial

 

[surfpig]

Surfpig, Does your new fridge have the built in thermometer? I saw, somewhere, the new model ARB/Engel has a digital thermometer now...

Bought it used, no thermo, it's a couple years old I think, but I can't find a scratch on it! (well there is, now)

Anyway, what I think I'll do is go get the Blue Top, and try to find one of those cut-off switches (Battery Buddy?) that saves enough current to start the truck. See how that and my solar panel handles things. And then I'll start thinking about a dual setup in the future...

Nial

 

[e9999]

another neg for the absorption fridge. I tested ours running off a fully-charged 130 Ah deep cycle battery and it only lasted about 12 hours or so until the battery was almost fully discharged. Probably more like 9 hours until the cooling became minimal.
(OTOH, it'll run for about a month on a 20 lbs prop tank...)

 

[97 FZJ80]

Anyone have any experience using the twozone chiller compartment to change their Engel to a fridge/freezer combo?

 

[FirstToy]

that is cool! or should I say frozen! hehe

 

[firetruck41]

That Two-Zone kicks ass! Any idea on price? Availability in the US? The rollers are a good idea as well!

 

[97 FZJ80]

That Two-Zone kicks ass! Any idea on price? Availability in the US? The rollers are a good idea as well!

Found their ad in an Australian 4X4 magazine and looked up their website. Maybe we can get someone to become a US dealer.

It cost (retail) for about US$300 for the twozone and another US$100 for the bag.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Anyone have any experience using the twozone chiller compartment to change their Engel to a fridge/freezer combo?

Wow, thats cool... but too tall for my setup...