Torn Between a 3 way or 12v/240v Portable Fridge!

[Inzyman]

Hi All,

Have to make a decision on what style of fridge/freezer to go with for the new CT.  Spoken to a few people but still not sure which way to go or what brand I should be looking for.  Budget is around is up to 900, size around 60 to 80 litres.  I am Ok with a good second hand one if need be but  would prefer some quality if possible.  Maybe I should have one of each??

[hempo]

Hi Inzyman,

I have never had a three way, however if you have a good battery and solar or 240 v handy then 12v/240v are becoming the norm.  Especially if you ever want to take it out and put it in the car for example.

Not sure where you are located but have just seen this one which is interesting;  http://www.evakool.com/factory-seconds/fridges-factory-second/63-litre-drawer-ridge-ryder-fridge-freezer-ex-demo

I didn't realise Evakool made the Ridge Ryder brand.  Otherwise join up with BCF and they often have 20-30% off sales on Waeco and the like.

Cheers

[KingBilly]

3 ways work well on gas.  On 12 volts they will drain a battery pretty quickly.  As they work on heat transfer, not a compressor, adequate airflow is always a concern.  Lots of folks add additional fans to increase their efficiency.  Also any enclosed camper requires extrenal vents for the gas fridges.  These vents allow dust into the CT.

A compressor fridge is more versitile.  Can be used in the tug and doesn't require venting in the CT.  But you need batteries and some means of charging, solar, alternator or 240 volts.

KB

[GFM449]

Do you have any solar at the moment. What you have currently may sway your decision either way. Solar is become cheaper and more reliable these days and obviously has no ongoing running costs post the initial purchase. Definitely my preference.

[feisty]

My choice if you have no solar dual batteries etc (setting yourself up for a compressor fridge will blow your  fridge budget without getting the fridge)

[Green rv]

what style you looking at
upright or chest type?

 
Adam

[chester ver2.0]

3 ways are good for going to a location then setting it up on gas for a week

If you are moving on almost every day i would use the 12/240 Volt jobbie

[Inzyman]

Hi All,

Have a couple of 80watt panels feeding my 100am Battery, counting on that being enough.  I didn't realise the 3 ways would use a lot more power than a compressor fridge so that could be a factor.  For the CT so chest style.  I have not seen to many brands / models that get a real panning, impressed with the ridge ryder and evakools and Ironman.   I suppose if I go for the one larger unit I will want a freezer component so I guess that rules out the gas.....  Hopefully the Panels will keep the single battery charged, better get some sunshine on a longer trip!

[Jeepers Creepers]

We have a three way dometic. These are a really good unit too.

The thing I love about it is.....

1. Get it going on 240 volts at home ready to go camping. (Or even just if we need extra fridge and freezer space)
2. Whack it in the jeep on 12 volts on the way to Fraser.
3. Set up CT and 4 ton of crap, and set it up on gas for duration.
4. Back onto 12 volts for the trip home.

I would never run it on 12 volts as a stand alone thing, but fine when ya travelling.

[Redcherokee]

The 3 way in our van ignores the thermostat when on 12v. If it detects current from the vehicle, it operates, if it doesn't detect current it doesn't operate.  This is not an error, it is how this particular fridge is designed.    This is not a good thing, IMHO.

If you are looking at a 3way read the instructions very very carefully.  This little gem is well hidden in the manual.

[cowwee]

We have an ironman dual chamber 12/240v fridge....bloody brilliant but about $1100. Well worth the $! Plug it in at home to get to temp before you leave and you'll have no dramas! ?

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[Straitened Out]

I've had 2 Three-Ways and I would not buy another one. They can't do the job on 12V when the ambient temperature is high eg When you are in the tropics. A good compressor model might cost you more initially but it is worth it. Also, I think two small compressor models are better than one big one because you can set one on fridge and the other on freezer, plus you can actually carry them (those big ones are heavy!) and, depending on the length of your trip, you can shut down the freezer one after a while and just run the fridge.
Cheers
S.O.

[cruiserlux]

We have one of each.  We only take the 3 way if we are staying more than a few days in one place.  We never run it on 12 volt. 240 volt to get it to temp before we leave and then on gas once we set up.  Fantastic for nice cold drinks at the end of the day.

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[KevG]

We used a chest type 3-way for a while.  Pathetic on 12V, average on 240V and worked well on gas.  Aside from venting the other key to getting it to work well was ensuring that it was level.  We now have 2 12V/240V.  A Waeco in the ute set to a fridge temp for drinks milk and other fresh food and an Engel in the trailer set up as a freezer for meat and ice cream etc.  The trailer and the ute each have their own deep cycle battery.  We can connect ute battery to the trailer and charge both batteries of a 120W solar panel when camped.

If I were to buy again I would stick with the 12V/240V compressor set up.  Suits our needs.

[MDS69]

We have a upright 150L Dometic 3 way which is a permanent fixture in the Expanda. It is excellent on gas, good on 240V and 12V is only used in transit to maintain temp. If you stop for lunch you must disconnect the fridge or it will drain your battery in a little over an hour. The fridge must be level when in operation.
We also have a Matson with Danfros compressor 12/240V fridge (Waeco knock off) which has been an excellent fridge in the back of the Prado. Depending on the trip we take one or both.

Incidentally the Matson 60L is for sale and I also have a brand new Waeco 23L fridge that can be used as a freezer if you wanted to go down that path.

[Inzyman]

Well I think I am sold on the 12v/240v.  Will head out tomorrow and checkout the Ironman.  5 year warranty and some pretty handy reviews.  Thanks all to contributed!  A great help.  Cheers Craig.

[Gunsrunner]

Techni ice, another one to look at.
http://www.techniice.com/car-fridges.html

[JGM]

I agree with the others regarding 3 way fridges being only any good on gas.  I got rid of my last one in about 1981.
Been on Engels and Waeco's up until 2 weeks ago when I bought one of these.

http://www.aussiebatteries.com.au/portable-fridges/

Been very good so far, skimpy on amps too.  The remote is a good feature as is being able to set either side to freezer OR fridge.  Or both fridge, or both freezer.

Cheers
JGM

[JB]

We have one of each.  For most trips we use the 40lt Engel. This is proving a little small.  We use the 3 way for any trip longer than a few days.  They go for weeks on a 9kg bottle. 

We are thinking of getting a smaller Engel to just use as a freezer.


Cheers

JB

[jackriley]

Techni ice, another one to look at.
http://www.techniice.com/car-fridges.html

Gunsrunner, do you have any feedback on the techniice fridge? I'm looking at one at the moment.

 

[chester ver2.0]

We have one of each.  We only take the 3 way if we are staying more than a few days in one place.  We never run it on 12 volt. 240 volt to get it to temp before we leave and then on gas once we set up.  Fantastic for nice cold drinks at the end of the day.

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Same here mate the 3 way in the goldstream was not even wired up to 12 volt when i changed tugs as it was useless. I find if everything is down to temp i can get a 5 hr drive in with about only a 1 degree temp change

[Gunsrunner]

Gunsrunner, do you have any feedback on the techniice fridge? I'm looking at one at the moment.

 

Not personally, 2 friends at work have had them for 12 and 18 months, no problems,  work as advertised.
If I was buying again, it's what I would buy, currently have an Engel and Primus.

[Bullwinkle]

My research in September 2014 showed that the ironman 42 litre fridge was made by Companion, it was on sale for $595.At the time Aldi were the same thing rebranded Stirling for $450. I ended up buying exactly the same thing, rebranded Cenco, off ebay.

I got it for $370 buy it now delivered to my door in 2 days. I looked at the user manual for all three - they were identical. I've used it at our annual beach holiday where this fridge ran at 3 degrees on 240v non stop from 26/12 until 12/01. I took it to the Deni ute muster a couple of days after I got it and it worked flawlessly on 12v. So far it's a bloody good fridge for the dough.

The ebay seller has the same thing in 50 litre, and also sells the covers, which I think aren't necessary. They have a Danfoss (now Secop) compressor, 3 levels of battery protection, high and low power settings, and you can switch the display between Celsius and Fahrenheit.

Hope this helps. Genuine info, no affiliation.
     

[Andy_Q]

I have the Aldi branded fridge and it works. They are actually manufactured by an Italian company (probably in China) search for indelb travel box. $370 would be a bargain imho.

Cheers
Andy


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