WHICH FRIDGE SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Often we are asked what Fridge should I choose?

Basically there are two types of fridges for caravanning and camping and these are the Two Way Fridge and Three Way Fridge.

COMPRESSOR (2-WAY)

These fridges use a motor to cool, much like your home fridge, but they run off 12, 24 or 240 volts.

• Electric power: 12v, 24v, 240v
• Can run on gas: No
• Can warm food: No
• Can freeze food: Yes
• Cooling at 20 degrees: -18
• Cooling at 40 degrees: -10
• Maximum amps on 12v: 4 to 7
• Average amps on 12v: 1 to 3
• Amp hours per day: 24 to 72
• Noise level: Medium
• Heat output: Low
• Fast cooling: Yes
• Capacity range (litres): 13 to 110
• Price range: $600 to $2000

Two Way Fridges are great for Touring as power can be supplied from your vehicle even when parked.  They do not need to be level and will maintain temperatures even in hot weather.  However, they need constant power to run when camped ie; dual Battery System, Solar or a Generator.

ABSORPTION (3-WAY)

• These fridges use a source of heat running on 12 or 240 volts and even gas.
• Electric power: 12v, 240v
• Can run on gas: Yes
• Can warm food: No
• Can freeze food: In cool weather
• Cooling at 20 degrees: -10
• Cooling at 40 degrees: +3 to +15
• Some higher priced models may also have a freezer compartment, which can hold -15 degrees on a 40 degree day
• Maximum amps on 12v: 10
• Average amps on 12v: 10
• Amp hours per day: 240
• Noise level: Low
• Heat output: High
• Fast cooling: No
• Capacity range (litres): 39 to 50
• Price range: $350 to $1200

Three way fridges can be operated efficiently for long periods of time on gas, no need to rely on batteries or AC.  They run quietly and have no moving parts.  However, they need to be ventilated and draw a lot of power especially on 12v power.  They need to be level to run on all three settings and must not run on gas while mobile. They don’t run very well in high temperatures and can take a long time to cool on 12v.

Basically it boils down to what use you need it for.  If you plan on camping in the middle of nowhere for long periods of time then perhaps a Three Way Fridge is what you need but if you’re 4wd driving and stopping frequently, the three way just won’t cut it and you should opt for a two way.

JULY 2011 SPECIALS:

WAECO CF50 FRIDGE/FREEZER  -  $1059.00

ENGEL 40 LITRE FRIDGE ONLY  -  $1189.00

FREE WITH PURCHASE
FRIGDE STAND  VALUED AT  -          $49.95

2 X SLEEPING BAGS VALUED AT  -    $99.90

TOTAL                                        -   $149.85

http://www.customline.com.au

 

 

Tips on Improving your Fridge Efficiency when Camping

Here are some simple techniques you can use to reduce the amount of electricity or gas used by your refrigerator, or to get by with a smaller refrigerator.

• Cover your fridge with thicker insulation to reduce the amount of heat leaking into the fridge. If you have room, you can cover the refrigerator with a removable insulated soft cover; you can either buy it or do it yourself. Make sure the cover is a light colour; this will absorb less heat than a black cover, especially in the sun.
• Cover the fridge with a wet towel; this will cool the outside of the fridge below air temperature.
• Keep the sun off it and in a cool area. If the outside of the fridge gets hot it will get hot on the inside as well and using up valuable energy in the process. If inside a closed vehicle, open a window to let the air in.
• Consider painting your fridge white. As we all know black attracts the heat and lighter colours stay cooler.
• Make sure that all vents to the fridge are clear and there are no blockages. That way the hot air won’t be drawn back into the fridge. For permanent installations, cover air vents to the outside with air-conditioning filters to keep out dust – and be sure to clean them regularly.
• If your fridge has no air circulation, consider installing a fan to circulate air over the cooling system this will improve its cooling ability. A computer-style 12 volt fan is perfect and these only draw one-fifth of an Amp.
• Absorption (3-way fridges) need to be Level to work efficiently, attach a spirit level to the top of the fridge so you can be sure it is level when you leave it.
• TIP: When storing gas fridges away always cover up the gas connection. Insects love to nest in these small openings, leading to blockages next time you use them.
• Add Cold Food. This will reduce the work the fridge has to do, because the food will already by cold. If possible, add frozen food. A full fridge will stay colder longer than a half full fridge because the cold food acts like a block of ice.
• Start the fridge a couple of days before adding cold food.
• Don’t leave the fridge door open and only open when you need to. Make sure you get what you need quickly.
• Don’t leave food out of the fridge, ie milk, butter, it will make the fridge work harder when you put the food back in.
• Make sure to use an Adequate Cable, this will ensure that the fridge will get the full power available from the battery.
• Consider using Cryovaced meat. Cryovaced meat doesn’t need to be frozen and will last a long time just in the fridge, this means less cooling power needed.
• Where possible use non-refrigerated foods, that way your fridge can be used for things that really need to be cold and you will be able to make do with a small fridge

MOULD REMOVAL FROM CANVAS

With all the recent rain we thought it would be prudent to revisit "How to Remove Mould from Canvas".

When your camper tent and/or annex walls get wet, if not thoroughly dried out as soon as possible there is a reasonable chance that mould will take hold.

Mould can eventually rot your canvas and is also associated with respiratory infections, allergies and can worsen asthma.  It is therefore extremely important to remove any mould not only to avoid health problems but to avoid the huge cost of replacing your tent.

We do not recommend commercially available mould removers are as they can be detrimental to the waterproofing, colouring & UV inhibitors which are impregnated in your canvas.  We also suggest you don’t use harsh detergents, bleach or pressure washers for the same reasons.

Our recommendations are as follows:

·         Open your camper, preferably in the sun.  Open the window flaps for maximum ventilation and completely dry the canvas.

·         When dry brush the mould spores off the canvas with a stiff bristle brush

·         Vacuum the canvas to remove any remaining spores

·         Kill the mould with a mixture of one part white vinegar to ten parts water

·         Apply the above solution with a rag, soft broom or soft brush

·         Allow the canvas to dry completely before packing up

Again, do not use harsh detergents, bleach or a pressure washer to clean the canvas. If by chance you have already damaged the waterproofing by using one of these methods, you can purchase the original “Dynaproofing” liquid (available from Customline Camper Trailers for about $50 for 4 litres) to reproof your canvas. This solution is water based & can be applied using a brush, roller or even sprayed on.