12v portable fridge/freezer recommendations pls

Aussiefolk · Veteran Member

12v portable fridge/freezer recommendations pls

vince56 · Senior Member

I have a CF18 Waeco (now owned by Dometic, and I also own a CF50DZ) it has been a great unit over several years, uses less than 1 amp/hr, actually 0.9a at 5C internal with ambient 32C, so your battery set up would last a few days without any solar input. Your solar will have no problem at all keeping the unit running well.

bgt · Guru

I've had an Evakool for years great unit. Localy made. Used little power. Works great as a fridge or freezer.

TheHeaths · Guru

We have had a CFF50 Waeco for the past 12 years.

Apart from the latch giving up the ghost (I replaced with a couple of tonneau cover loops and buttons), it has given us no issues over the years, running full time up to 4 months on our longer trips. We always use it as a freezer, as we have sufficient fridge space.

What I have found is that as a freezer, it does use a higher draw of power, and I would expect to get no more than a day and a half out of our 105 Ah Thumper in warmer climates. That said, an 80 watt solar panel attached when we arrive for the day if off power keeps battery topped up for the evening and the fridge running during the day.

I think most units these days are pretty good. One worth looking at may be the Brass Monkey brand carried by Jaycar. They seem a good price for the dual zone type that run as a fridge freezer at the same time.

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Monday 3rd of August 2020 12:32:42 PM

Dick0 · Guru

Aussiefolk wrote:
Im thinking of adding a 20l fridge/freezer to supplement my inbuilt compressor fridge in my Sprinter RV. My power source Is mainly solar - 2 x 80 fixed panels on my roof and a 120 portable blanket - or 240v when available. I have one house battery. Discussions with other travellers have given me much food for thought. Engel comes highly recommended but Im told it runs constantly and that a WAECO runs intermittently thus using less power. I would value the thoughts of other GNs please. (I guess the power requirement issue would best be addressed in the solar site so will post this query there too.)

I got a KINGS and has been great...top quality, great price and has a Secop compressor and 12/240V operation.

I run mine off house batteries charged by solar. No problems and runs intermittently as required automatically.

As a freezer it cools easily to -18C.

I use mine to cool canned drinks (for happy hour). lol smile

https://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/products/fridges-coolers.html

Check out their range and outlets here.

yobarr · Guru

What about Engel? My freezer runs at -18,off grid,and never misses a beat.Cheers

Radar · Guru

yobarr wrote:
What about Engel? My freezer runs at -18,off grid,and never misses a beat.Cheers

If you need to tell them about Engel, they are not camping.

Dick0 · Guru

yobarr wrote:
What about Engel? My freezer runs at -18,off grid,and never misses a beat.Cheers

https://au.best-price.com/search/landing/query/fridge+freezer+engel/s/yahoo/?msclkid=2d2980ac6b371b90ada3df846fe49e2c&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Mix_5&utm_term=fridge%20freezer%20engel&utm_content=fridge%20freezer%20engel

biggrin biggrin biggrin

Aussiefolk · Veteran Member

Thanks so much everyone.