Two 40L Fridges, or one 80L fridge

[jeb1900]

Hey Guys,

I think that I have basically answered my own question though I am keen to hear what your opinion is. 

I'm considering going with two 40L fridges.  Likely to be two Waeco CF-40s, rather than one Waeco CF-80. 

http://tentworld.com.au/products/fridge/item/Waeco-CF-40-Fridge-Freezer-incBag.aspx
http://tentworld.com.au/products/fridge/item/Waeco-CF-80-Fridge-Freezer-incBag.aspx

The theory is, that this will give me more flexibility and less demand on my batteries. 

This is the reasoning behind my madness. 

From what I understand your typical CF-40 will consume 1amp of power per hour on average.  I've also been told that a CF-80 will generally consume 2 amps per hour.    Therefore the power consumption is the same, if you're running both fridges at the same time. 

However, when you depart on a trip you'll of course have fridges full of food & drink.  Though after you've been away, you've likely consumed a fair majority of your food and drink. 

With the knowledge that a fridge works most efficiently when it's full of solid objects, I would transfer the food over to the one fridge and turn off the other as soon as I could. 

I'm generally a hopeless fisherman  , so it's unlikely that I'll ever need freezer space to store fish.  However, if I manage to strike it lucky.  I could always turn one fridge into a freezer.  This is probably the only scenario that I would run a freezer though, as generally the additional power consumption is not worth it IMO and I vacuum seal all my meat so freezer is unnecessary otherwise!

Ontop of this, I figure you're probably going to end up being a bit more power efficient than a CF-80 because you're likely only opening one of those fridges regularly rather than opening the whole fridge like you would do in a CF-80.

Has anyone else gone this way?  Are you happy with your decision or would you do anything differently?

Cheers,

Jon

[LJs GU]

I think that I have basically answered my own question though I am keen to hear what your opinion is. 

I reckon you're spot on Jon. 

We use a 40l Engel and a 18l (maybe 21, can't remember) Waeco exactly like this.

LJ

[Blue One]

Jon,
      Have the same set up with a 40 & 32 ltr Engels.

Cheers

[fuji]

Go the two
Wyno

[jwb]

Go the two
Wyno

x 2

[Bird]

Also have a look at the space taken up...
Remembering you have to have clear space round each one, but the larger 80's etc are huge...

After having the engel Shit itself on day 2 of a 3232 week trip, I have now gone with 2x. Lucky Dan had space in his fridge in his shantytown Trackmaster

[jeb1900]

Great feedback guys, thank you for aiding in the decision making process! 

[Tom]

If one packs up all is not lost,plus you can use one as a freezer as well.
Cheers.
Titch

[discoteddy]

another double thumbs up for the two fridge idea, we run two 40 ltr Engels for the same resons that you have mentioned

Disco Teddy.

[Smokey2.8]

From experience have 2 x 40L. Much better for reasons mentioned.

[areyonga]

I use a 50L and a 30L, it gives more flexibility and is a safety margin if one fails.  But there is extra cost to be considered.

Trevor

[Beachman]

I also run 2 x 40L Engels and it works for us. We try and use one for drinks which gets opened regularly and keep the second fridge for food which gets opened rarely.

Good thing about his option is if I go camping/fishing by myself I can take 1 fridge instead of having a large 80L half empty in the back of the car.

Also towards the end of a trip a might turn off the 2nd fridge and just run one to save battery power.   

I'm sure buying a 80l is cheaper, but seeing we had already owned our first 40L engel for 10 years it was just easier to buy a second one

[Jeepers Creepers]

This is what i like about this site.....

I was planning on a 60 to 80 litre fridge/freezer, but will now end up with two 40's or a 40/30 for all the same reasons everyone else has said.

[mike and tracy davis]

Got a 40 and 32 engel in the Patrol for nearly 4 years and works a treat. Gives you great flexiblity to alter the type of cooling you need, such as a Freezer for one , and A fridge for the other or even a crisper. You can move everything into one and shut one down if required  and ensure the remaining fridge is absolutely full increasing efficiency. Backup if one goes down, Massive beer capacity for those extended trips, particularly if you have another fridge in the camper.
.
.

Cheers Mike

[Garry H]

definatly go for 2 individual fridges, I started with the 60l combi, and ended up buying a smaller engel for a freezer for a long trip,
wished I had just bought 2x 40l to start with, more flexability....

[Mr Ploppy]

Thanks alot. Just when I had thought I had my mind made up on a new fridge 

[Swaggie]

Do yourself a favor and look at the Evakool RFI 60 litre fridge...Has a adjustable fridge/freezer slide piece so you can freeze in no time and still use fridge...Its also Australian made,5 year warranty and very low on amp draw..

I have one and its been great...They do an 80litre too..

here's some info...http://www.evakool.com/CMS/Uploads/file/Product-Catalogue-proof.pdf#Page=6

2 page is here:

BROCHURE DOWNLOAD : 2 page:http://www.evakool.com/products?sprod=112#

Goodluck on your choice...

[Chris-Vi]

We run a 60 litre EvaKool in the camper and now a 32 litre Engel in the Prado as a freezer or a drink fridge for short trips. We have used the EvaKool as a fridge freezer and it works well. Just lift the divider of the bottom a couple of mm. 

[Desert lover]

We run two waecos.... got the first (50L) in 2005 and then the 40Ltr about two years ago... this way we can have one as a freezer (ice cream in the desert!) and one just as a fridge.  Works for us.
Cheers,
Sue

[just startin]

New to all this and brought a 80lt waceo ! Now I wish I had 2 seperate 1x fridge 1x freezer or 2 x freezer if required when fishing. We will keep the 80lt and purchase a 30 lt for freezer

[rodw]

I think the 2 fridge solution is the way to go. Don't want to start a brand fight but the Engel uses less power than Waeco. If you are going to run Waeco, consider  having one of them as a CDF35, the 12 volt only one. These are cheap as and are the most reliable Waeco fridge due to lack of clever electronics. I have just replaced my CDF35 (4 amps) with an Engel 40 litre (2.6 amps).

As a fridge, the CDF35 draws about 20 amps per day, as a freezer, it uses about 42 amps based on a test I did recently. I have yet to run the Engel through the same test. Eventually I will get a 21 litre Engel to use as a freezer.

[Teabag]

Just buy one 75ltr AutoFridge, uses heaps less power, simple operation without any electronic BS.....You won't reget using only 20amp/hrs a day for a fridge of that size....Either way, good luck.....:-)

[Belchie]

Just buy one 75ltr AutoFridge, uses heaps less power, simple operation without any electronic BS.....You won't reget using only 20amp/hrs a day for a fridge of that size....Either way, good luck.....:-)

Just wondering which brand 75 litre auto fridge you recommend .
Cheers
Belchie

[Teabag]

Just wondering which brand 75 litre auto fridge you recommend .
Cheers
Belchie

Autofridge is the brand. It is a Eutectic fridge, hence very efficient...

http://www.autofridge.com.au/page/products.html#2

[rodw]

Autofridge is the brand. It is a Eutectic fridge, hence very efficient...

http://www.autofridge.com.au/page/products.html#2

Eutectic means it has a container of liquid that is frozen and then keeps the fridge cold for a much longer time. Fridge only cycles maybe twice a day and uses a lot less power, maybe half that of a normal fridge subject to insulation thickness.