Fridge shoot out

[Enigma]

Cross post from the expo section for easy reference for anyone looking to [STRIKE]buy[/STRIKE] win a fridge

http://www.waeco.com.au/documents/N308_FridgeComparo.pdf


Comforting that the ARB model came out on top, although all the models rated very high, so really you can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

I don't care if my old fridge is the best as long as my beverages are at the "proper" serving temperature many miles from no where ..

 

[ForealBoreal]

glen are you running a third battery?

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

No place to put it with all the crap I have in my 74 . I have used the two starting batteries since 2008 when the fridge went in. At home I use a Schauer 24 volt smart charger, so the batteries are always on float charge (full charge). Only a few mornings on extended trips was it tough to get the rig to fire up - but always did. For extended stays without moving I have to fire the rig up to charge the batteries, which stinks up the campsite which no one likes.

For the Utah trip I am hoping to install 80 watt solar panels (monocrystalline) and a MPPT charge controller. Once that is in I can forget battery draw down with the fridge on an indefinite basis. The batteries will always be a full charge for most of the day.
On hot days that fridge is cycling up to 40-45% of the time. The solar setup should be less than 40% of the weight of a 55 lb battery and its related hardware (battery box, cable, charge controller).

 

[ForealBoreal]

No place to put it with all the crap I have in my 74 . I have used the two starting batteries since 2008 when the fridge went in. At home I use a Schauer 24 volt smart charger, so the batteries are always on float charge (full charge). Only a few mornings on extended trips was it tough to get the rig to fire up - but always did. For extended stays without moving I have to fire the rig up to charge the batteries, which stinks up the campsite which no one likes.

For the Utah trip I am hoping to install 80 watt solar panels (monocrystalline) and a MPPT charge controller. Once that is in I can forget battery draw down with the fridge on an indefinite basis. The batteries will always be a full charge for most of the day.
On hot days that fridge is cycling up to 40-45% of the time. The solar setup should be less than 40% of the weight of a 55 lb battery and its related hardware (battery box, cable, charge controller).

How long we're you parked before that would happen?

 

[rhyary]

It looks like they evaluated the NL Weekender type fridge. These fridges sacrifice insulation for bigger internal capacity.

I would have been interested if they tested the the NL fridge that is designed for going out for a week, not the Weekender one

Rami

 

[Enigma]

How long we're you parked before that would happen?

If the batteries are in good shape, 3 to 4 days thereabouts.

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

If the batteries are in good shape, 3 to 4 days thereabouts.

Under ideal conditions this might be possible (assuming 50% charge will start your rig and no starting delay due to altitude), but the other issue is battery life is shortened when they are pulled below 70% of full charge (50% for deep cycle).
This is a risk I would take in the remote places.