|
240 volt/90 watt/0.375Amps |
|
external temperature 32 degrees
celsius |
| hours after start up |
internal temperature |
| 1 |
13 degrees celsius
|
| 2 |
10 degrees celsius
|
| 3 |
9.5 degrees
celsius |
| 4 |
9 degrees celsius
|
| running temperature |
4.5 degrees
celsius |
12 volt
I have only run
the fridge on 12 volt power for one day while travelling with it in rear of the
Patrol, however it does seem to work well partly due to the inbuilt fan in the
back of it to help dissipate the heat.
Written material that came with the fridge says it
will run at 4.5 degrees on 12 volt, the same as 240 volt.
These types of fridges are
renowned to be inefficient
when it comes to running them on 12volt. They draw a large current which will
quickly flatten your battery when parked. However the Repco fridge does come
with a 'turbo' fan. This is a small fan that takes the hot air away from around
the back of the fridge to provide efficiency.
I like the fact the 12 volt plugs end can be
removed so the plug can also be fitted to the more popular & positive fitting
Narva type sockets despite. We have had the 12 volt
cigarette lighter plug slightly melt due to the fact my wiring is too small for
the load placed on it.
The correct size 12volt cable that feeds the
fridge from the battery is also an important factor. Plenty is written in the
groups archives on this, however check Collyn's page at
http://www.campertrailers.org/collyns_page.htm#Voltage
The 12volt lead is fairly long itself at 2.5 metres. You could have it on the back seat & plug it
into the cigarette lighter. If you have a 12volt outlet in the rear of your
vehicle you could cut this lead in half. This would help with the efficiency.
They run well on gas & 240volt. When going away for the weekend we usually run
it on 240volt for a day or two before throwing it in the back of the vehicle.
Most times it is only a 2 hour or so run to where we are camping so we do not
bother plugging the fridge into 12volt.
What the stats
which came with the fridge say............................
|
12 volt/90 watt/7.5Amps |
|
external temperature 32 degrees
celsius |
| hours after start up |
internal temperature |
| 1 |
16.5 degrees
celsius |
| 2 |
11 degrees
celsius |
| 3 |
10 degrees
celsius |
| 4 |
9 degrees
celsius |
| running temperature |
4.5 degrees
celsius |
gas
The fridge works
extremely well on gas. Once lit it runs flat out without any regulation of the
flame. I can't see this a problem though as material with the fridge say the
lowest temperature on gas is 2.5 so everything is not going to freeze into a
solid mass.
Seems to be a little trick to lighting the
gas. After clicking the piezo lighter
you need hold the knob down for a short period of time to let the flame catch,
watching the 'intelligent gas operation gauge'. When it moves into the green
zone release the knob & move it anti-clockwise. I was releasing the knob too
early & the flame going out before it got a hold. I suppose its better if you do
read the instructions before using it.
Once the
gas is lit the flame cannot be adjusted, however I do not see this as a
negative thing to using the fridge.
There is a handy
'intelligent gas operation gauge' next to the control panel that lets you know
if the flame is working or not. On our previous 3way fridge I had a small convex
$2 mirror from Super Cheap that I could hold at the back to view the flame.
Another way is to hold your hand over the flue to feel for heat.
I also like
the inbuilt bubble level next to the control panel. It is best to keep the
fridge in the shade & not exposed to directly to the sun.
What the stats
which came with the fridge say............................
|
Gas/LPG 2.75
KPa/consumption 0.60MJ/h |
|
external temperature 32 degrees
celsius |
| hours after start
up |
internal
temperature |
| 1 |
11 degrees
celsius |
| 2 |
8.6 degrees
celsius |
| 3 |
5.5 degrees
celsius |
| 4 |
4.6 degrees
celsius |
| running temperature |
2.5 degrees
celsius |
fixes
The spanner
which came with the fridge is a
very poor fit on both the nut which attaches the hose to the fridge & also the
regulator to the bottle. If you wish to use it, it needs a hit with the hammer
to close the gape slightly. Alternately use a shifting spanner like I do.
I found the
thread on the regulator not a good fit to the bottle either. It was slightly
tight all the way down. I have used my old regulator & will keep the new one
which came with the fridge in my spares locker for emergency use.
We have only
used the fridge on 12 volt once & the end of the cigarette lighter plug was
slightly melted. I will be shorten the 2.5 metre 12 volt lead & fitting a decent
plug. The plug from our 23 year old Finch is still in good condition.
I do not know
how 'attached' the tie down points are which are screwed onto the side of the
fridge. I do not know if there is a plate behind the tie downs or whether they
are just screwed into the plastic body of the fridge? If I am going to use these
tie downs I will be adding a plate behind & screw the tie down into it for added
strength.
overview
Overall
the fridge is good value for money & does keep food cold in the 30 degree
heat we camped in. Remember this is not a freezer. The features we do like about the Repco fridge
are
-
inbuilt bubble level
-
inbuilt flame condition needle
-
cigarette lighter end slips off to fit
Narva type sockets despite it melting on our first use.
-
piezo lighter
-
gas hose & regulator
-
12 volt fan
-
LED AC & DC indicator lights
-
tie down lugs
