Portable Fridge Options

[Andyf]

Thanks @roadtripper
Sounds good

Looking at several makes of fridge, just trying to get it right first time around lol
Looking at one for off the grid camping, that will either be on its own battery or one of leisure battery
Independent batteries sound good so they can be charged before going, then drop onto leisure battery secondary

 

[roadtripper]

Independent batteries sound good so they can be charged before going, then drop onto leisure battery secondary

I think it's worth filling the battery bay if you can find one at a reasonable price as it makes the fridge very flexible and the space left for it is then used for something useful.

I'm less convinced about having additional ones. For the amount of charge they have there are better options and charging then outside the fridge is slow and needs additional chargers.

Personally I'd look at one of the lithium power packs or a solar panel as they would be more flexible.

 

[Andyf]

Something like a Jackery portable power pack is 518wh
Do you know what WH the fridge batteries are
Just to compare what usage / hourly run time you get out of the power pack

Cheers

 

[roadtripper]

I believe it's marked as 173Wh

They're also marked as 15600mAh, which at 11v would be about the same.

You'll get some loses in the power pack depending on what it's internal battery configuration is, many run up in the 20v region to better match solar input and increase AC inverter efficiency. I'd advise using the DC connection, there will be more loses using the AC capability.

As a point of reference this weekend we used it in our i3 and it was running on battery alone from 6am to 9pm in a black car in sun and was down to 40% on the fridge display (5 segments), 50% on the battery display (4 segments)

 

[Andyf]

Have you any experience in portable power packs
Like the Jackery
Good or bad

Andy

 

[roadtripper]

Some over here

Thread 'BLUETTI EB3A initial review'

15 Nov 2023

So for non T6 reasons I ended up buying a Bluetti EB3A so I thought I'd let folks here know my initial review thoughts. There are lots of threads about the bigger systems but less about the more modest ones.

Basic impressions

So this is the Bluetti EB3A alongside my small Beaudens I use as a secondary 12v system in my van that I've discussed on my tinker thread.



First things to note is though it is much bigger the capacity isn't hugely different (167Wh Vs 268Wh)

This is because the Bluetti has it's mains charger built in and has a 600w inverter (that needs cooling)...

• roadtripper
• power-bank
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Electrics, Lighting, ICE, Security

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Personal view is that Jackery tend to be more heavily marketed and highly priced for what they are, I think the more popular ecosystem around the forum is EcoFlow.

They give you flexibility but a fixed leisure install still has strong advantages - depends on how you use them.

It's certainly an area I'd advise sticking to well known brands and also ensuring you buy one based on LiFePo chemistry.

It's worth narrowing down what might work for you and then keeping an eye on offers, never pay full price!

 

[Andyf]

Thanks
No doubt I may have another question lol

Andy

 

[PlanB]

Influenced by this thread and Bunnahabhain 12 yr old, I last night ordered one of these .....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpicool-G22-Refrigerator-Campervan-Consumption/dp/B08BXR7BWP/ref=asc_df_B08BXR7BWP?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80058291817364&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583657831295248&th=1

30% off plus a £40 Amazon voucher made £92 just too hard to resist.

We'll see how 100ah of Victron batteries and charger cope with continuous running for 10 days on the road.

 

[Andyf]

Please let us know @PlanB

 

[roadtripper]

Influenced by this thread and Bunnahabhain 12 yr old, I last night ordered one of these .....

Good choice of tipple there, Islay region is right up my street

We'll see how 100ah of Victron batteries and charger cope with continuous running for 10 days on the road.

In terms of the fridge itself you should be fine, I've run mine for big chunks of time to back up dodgy or small fridges in apartments/AirBnB

About 6 months back I used it as a portable freezer to pick up fancy ice cream the family loved while on a working away trip. Didn't get around to delivering it all for nearly a week after and rather lazily just left the P18 plugged in to mains and it was fine holding about -18.

 

[PlanB]

Good choice of tipple there, Islay region is right up my street

In terms of the fridge itself you should be fine, I've run mine for big chunks of time to back up dodgy or small fridges in apartments/AirBnB

About 6 months back I used it as a portable freezer to pick up fancy ice cream the family loved while on a working away trip. Didn't get around to delivering it all for nearly a week after and rather lazily just left the P18 plugged in to mains and it was fine holding about -18.

That is encouraging to hear!
My basic calculations think it's good for 2 days stood still at fridge temperature in average UK summer temperatures.
Done the sniff and fingers crossed for too long now ... and my luck is due to run out!

And for anyone not been to Islay, it is a fantastic place to visit with amazing beaches and 10 distilleries offering free single malt.
Between Bowmore and Bruichladdich is a long foreshore where most stay overnight.

But please, stick to the NC500 instead ..... it's so much better!