I'm excited! I just bought a new 45lt three way fridge from Aldi for $299!
I'd previously been given a very old 2 way fridge, which I gave to my daughter and son-in-law as it seemed more trouble and expense than it was worth, getting it connected to my little 'Lucy'.
So my son is planning to convert Gypsy to and A frame so the fridge and gas bottle can be mounted on the frame. It'll make Gypsy a bit heavier, but as she now has a jockey wheel, it should be okay.
I'd welcome any comments or advise.
petengail said
05:04 PM Oct 10, 2010
I was looking at one of those last week - however couldnt justify buying it because we already have a Dometic/Chescold 3 way fridge/freezer. Would be interested to hear how well it runs, particularly on gas. IMHO the Dometic is brilliant on gas. Hope the Aldi is as good - seem to remember someone telling me they were ok...
-- Edited by petengail on Sunday 10th of October 2010 05:05:30 PM
Beth54 said
05:07 PM Oct 10, 2010
Yes, a friend has one Pete, and she's happy with hers, so fingers crossed.
jimricho said
06:36 PM Oct 10, 2010
Good one Beth, I saw those there the other day but like Pete I had no need for one.
You're probably aware of this but I mention it anyway, 3 way fridges are not as efficient on 12V as are 2 way (compressor) types in that they draw much more current. This is not normally an issue as you have the advantage of running it on gas, also keep in mind that it does need to be level or near level to operate properly. 3 ways are more critical in this regard than 2 ways. Try to keep it in the shade while you're camping. Suggest running the fridge for at least 24 hours before setting out on a trip as it will probably take a while to "get started"
Another factor is it should not be run on gas while "on the move". Get your son to wire a "hot wire" from the car battery to do this. And get him to wire it via a relay so that it only supplies power to the fridge while the engine is running. An "Anderson" plug provides a suitable means to connect it to the car when you hitch up the trailer.
Jim
Beth54 said
06:53 PM Oct 10, 2010
jimricho wrote:
Good one Beth, I saw those there the other day but like Pete I had no need for one.
You're probably aware of this but I mention it anyway, 3 way fridges are not as efficient on 12V as are 2 way (compressor) types in that they draw much more current. This is not normally an issue as you have the advantage of running it on gas, also keep in mind that it does need to be level or near level to operate properly. 3 ways are more critical in this regard than 2 ways. Try to keep it in the shade while you're camping. Suggest running the fridge for at least 24 hours before setting out on a trip as it will probably take a while to "get started"
Another factor is it should not be run on gas while "on the move". Get your son to wire a "hot wire" from the car battery to do this. And get him to wire it via a relay so that it only supplies power to the fridge while the engine is running. An "Anderson" plug provides a suitable means to connect it to the car when you hitch up the trailer.
Jim
Thanks Jim, yes, I'll pass that onto my son. He's pretty cluey anyway, but it never hurts to listen to others.
Beth
Ole Grizzly said
07:13 PM Oct 10, 2010
Uh Oh ! Can see this little lady sitting watch over her liquid assets with that machete in hand again. Or another visit to Aldi for chain & padlocks. he he he
Beth54 said
07:21 PM Oct 10, 2010
hehehe
You're right Grizzly..not the machete but the liquid assets and the padlocks!
jimricho said
07:19 AM Oct 11, 2010
Further to above, the fridge wiring needs to be minimum 6mm, but preferably 8 gauge (yes mms and gauges, it is confusing but that's the way it is). This is to avoid too much voltage drop in the cable.
I'd previously been given a very old 2 way fridge, which I gave to my daughter and son-in-law as it seemed more trouble and expense than it was worth, getting it connected to my little 'Lucy'.
So my son is planning to convert Gypsy to and A frame so the fridge and gas bottle can be mounted on the frame. It'll make Gypsy a bit heavier, but as she now has a jockey wheel, it should be okay.
I'd welcome any comments or advise.
I was looking at one of those last week - however couldnt justify buying it because we already have a Dometic/Chescold 3 way fridge/freezer. Would be interested to hear how well it runs, particularly on gas. IMHO the Dometic is brilliant on gas. Hope the Aldi is as good - seem to remember someone telling me they were ok...
-- Edited by petengail on Sunday 10th of October 2010 05:05:30 PM
Beth
Or another visit to Aldi for chain & padlocks. he he he
You're right Grizzly..not the machete but the liquid assets and the padlocks!