Fridges?..............

[CarpeDiem]

Hi,

Thanks for any replies, yes i know Engel's are great, also split charging systems. Looking for quotes on those at the moment.

I've entered this Landrally, that's a week, and then I hope to do about another 4-6 weeks afterwards by myself around Europe.

I've brought most things on my list, only a few things left; wheels/tyres are a priority, and about 700-800, if you add an Engel about 300-400, and split charging system, ???. And the bill for the latest hiccup on my landys reliability.

I need to starting saving for actually travelling. So, I've seen a few 12v fridges on ebay/ like waesco and such like, so looking for something temporary, until I'm able to get an Engel.

Thanks again for any help,
Best regards,
Mark

[gc127]

Hi Mark ,,, Ive try ed a couple of cheepo fridges and my conclusion is ,, There all rubbish. Dont waste your money like i did and get yourself an Engal

Ive just got back from the North East coast and ive been running my 27 litre Engal at 5 C on a little scrap car battery i found at work for 4 days , and that's without a split charger. and it never missed a beat

But if you really dont want to spend the money just yet , i d get a 12 v cool box from a camping shop , cheapest one they do ,, get a spare 12v battery and run your cool box of it at night , and in the day, run it off your ciggy lighter connected to your engine battery

[CarpeDiem]

Many thanks again, some good advice.

Best regards, mark

[CarpeDiem]

Hi,

Thanks again, further to my last message, come across this;

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servl...tcategoryrn_33951


It's only a fridge, but also consumes only 4.5 amps when on. What that actually means, is ???

It's run by a Thermo Electric Solid State Heat Pump, and has a low battery cut-out, to help prevent a flat battery.

Still in two minds, long term, certainly an Engel, but £££ at the moment.

Thanks again, and really appriecate your help,
Best regards,
Mark

[Let Luce]

Forget the electric cool boxes, they run using a thing called (iirc) the peltier effect, one side of the semiconductor gets hot, the other cool, but as soon as you turn off the power bothsides get to the same temperature which will be quite warm.

To be honest a fridge isn't really a necessity, we did a year long trip down Africa with nothing more than a polystyrene vaccine transfer box probably no bigger than 5 litres. It does depend where you are going but if it's somewhere like Africa you may struggle to find enough fresh food to keep the fridge full. (beers/drinks can be cooled by putting the bottle or can in a wet sock and hanging it in a breeze for a few minutes.

As you're quite limited on space in a 109" I'm sure the space/weight a fridge takes up could be better used for carrying those extra air filters/brake shoes, clothes, books or the best bit of cooking kit we had, a pressure cooker, etc.

I'd say forget the fridge and have another 2 months travelling.

[CarpeDiem]

Hi,

Again, some very good advice. This year I'll only be going around Western Europe, so hardly out in the sticks.

Take your valid, and reality checking point about having a fridge, or more time travelling.

More food for thought, thank you!
Best regards, mark

[gc127]

Chris wrote:

(beers/drinks can be cooled by putting the bottle or can in a wet sock and hanging it in a breeze for a few minutes.

wot a brilliant idea .

Ive often thought of dropping sum beers/drinks into water while camping. ie,,, a near by stream of lake . but never done it

Mark , if your going to the billing show this year, Go and see MPS4x4 , they do a discount show price on Engal fridges, i got 40 quid off mine

[gavin]

Fridge is a luxury you can do without. Leave you water under the car overnight so it cools. Wrap a bit of wet towel round it and it will keep cool as long as it stays wet. Use an old sock if you want but a towel's better! If you eat local food you don't need a fridge. Use olive oil, don't drink milk, eat perishables the same day, etc. Engel's are great, but so is £500 of spares or spending money so you can go further.

[CarpeDiem]

Hi Gavin,

Thanks for the comments. Coming to that conclusion myself, for the moment, i think a coolbox at best, will have to do.

many thanks, best of luck, Mark

[andyb43]

Would never go back from my engle.

Tried a 3 week trip around Switzerland with a cheap cool box never again, it never kept the food cool and the food went off quickly.

the engle wow! worth every penny reference the split charge system we have used the Antares system www.antares.co.uk/prod%20auto%20split%20charge.htm constantly for 2 years now and its the Dogs total fit and forget saved the vehicle bty loads of times until we had the solar panel fitted now we have that much power want to buy some

If you will be traveling a lot for a min of 2 weeks then bite the built and spend the money you wont look back.

You can also plug the Engle in to the mains and have your very own Beer fridge that the wife is banned from

[Let Luce]

[CarpeDiem]

Hi,

Thanks again, yes agree with all the above.

Best regards, Mark