Car fridge to go between front seats

[geoffjy]

Hi all,

In my cruiser, the front seats have been replaced with 2 x Stratos bucket seats. This leaves a bit of space available and after having a look at a Sahara, i am trying to find a good fridge/cooler that will fit between the seats. I have only come across one so far which is the 8lt Engel with 2 cup holders.

The available space between the seats is 25cm.

Does anyone know of any other brands? Whats the Engel one like?

[campdog]

Geoff go onto waeco australia site and look for there,they also have a discontinued section ans sale section, worth a look
John

[geoffjy]

I was trying to steer clear of Waeco as i have not heard too many good things about them. The couple of times i have used one, i have not been happy. I will still check it out though.

[campdog]

I was trying to steer clear of Waeco as i have not heard too many good things about them. The couple of times i have used one, i have not been happy. I will still check it out though.
The only thing with thermo electric is they flatten a battery in no time.Probably need a compressor run fridge

[geoffjy]

The only thing with thermo electric is they flatten a battery in no time.Probably need a compressor run fridge

From memory, looking at the Engel one, it says it uses 4 amps/hr.

So basically, only run it when the car is running. If i were to get one with a compressor it would take up too much room. Might have to just look at getting a small esky instead as i will have a 60lt Trailblaza in the back anyway.

[Emujim]

I have a 8L Waeco cooler that I won in a raffle.It's excellent sits on the back seat between the kids so doesn't get direct sun on it.Remember that a cooler will only cool to 20 degrees below ambiant temp and as you have mentioned it uses about 4.5 amps/hour. I would recomend the waeco cooler and I am an Engle fridge owner.

[geoffjy]

If one were to pull cold beers out of the fridge and put them in the little Waeco, they would stay cold. I am not neccessarily wanting the Waeco to bring hot drinks down to cold temps. I would only be operating the Waeco when the car is running which would mean that the aircon would be running anyway and the car temp would be around the low 20's.

[Emujim]

Yes thats what we do with our drinks and it works well. It saves having to stop to get drinks from the fridge when you have the cooler close by.

[ant]

My old Sahara has a refrigerated consol and I have always used it to store things such as CD's and other things. Maybe I should ditch the contents and get the fridge back up and running. I know that it is a pain when you have to either stop the car just to go to the back to grab a drink, or try and con your passengers into leaning over the back seat. I am sure I talked Geoff into this a few times when he was with us last November.

[geoffjy]

I know that it is a pain when you have to either stop the car just to go to the back to grab a drink, or try and con your passengers into leaning over the back seat. I am sure I talked Geoff into this a few times when he was with us last November.


Exactly what i was thinking Ant. I dont want to be stopping every time i need a beer or drink. I cant reach over the back seat in mine as i have a cargo barrier.

And yes, that was a great trip wasnt it. Didnt it take us 7 hours or so from Seisia to Somerset? :D

[ant]

Exactly what i was thinking Ant. I dont want to be stopping every time i need a beer or drink. I cant reach over the back seat in mine as i have a cargo barrier.

And yes, that was a great trip wasnt it. Didnt it take us 7 hours or so from Seisia to Somerset? :D

Yeah Geoff,
The trip from Seisia to Somerset did take a little longer than normal. HOwever we did stop off to see Bat, then collected some firewood. Nothing like a relaxed schedule I say.

[campdog]

From memory, looking at the Engel one, it says it uses 4 amps/hr.

So basically, only run it when the car is running. If i were to get one with a compressor it would take up too much room. Might have to just look at getting a small esky instead as i will have a 60lt Trailblaza in the back anyway.
Good to hear a Trailblazer mentioned,

[campdog]

My old Sahara has a refrigerated consol and I have always used it to store things such as CD's and other things. Maybe I should ditch the contents and get the fridge back up and running. I know that it is a pain when you have to either stop the car just to go to the back to grab a drink, or try and con your passengers into leaning over the back seat. I am sure I talked Geoff into this a few times when he was with us last November.
Ant, I keep my fridge in the back and unacessable from inside. The reason being to take a break and a rest so you have to get out.

[geoffjy]

Ant, I keep my fridge in the back and unacessable from inside. The reason being to take a break and a rest so you have to get out.

Now Campdog, where's the fun in that? I wonder if one could install a window in the cargo barrier so there is easy access to the beer, i mean food.

[campdog]

Now Campdog, where's the fun in that? I wonder if one could install a window in the cargo barrier so there is easy access to the beer, i mean food.
(Ive have a bad habit of not stopping when on a mission.but if someone else is driving thats a different matter.
Toses little fridges draw something like 15 amps and stop you real qiuck if you forget to turn it off,

[geoffjy]

The claim to use 4-5 amps an hour. Another option is the bolt on compressor. Make my own esky to fit out of fibreglass then mount the compressor on the back. The bolt on unit goes for about $899 from memory.

Ant- you might know this one. The fridge thats in the Sahara, are they thermoelctric or compressor?

[ant]

The claim to use 4-5 amps an hour. Another option is the bolt on compressor. Make my own esky to fit out of fibreglass then mount the compressor on the back. The bolt on unit goes for about $899 from memory.

Ant- you might know this one. The fridge thats in the Sahara, are they thermoelctric or compressor?

Geoff,
I am not sure. As far as I know, they run off the air con in some way.

[campdog]

The claim to use 4-5 amps an hour. Another option is the bolt on compressor. Make my own esky to fit out of fibreglass then mount the compressor on the back. The bolt on unit goes for about $899 from memory.

Ant- you might know this one. The fridge thats in the Sahara, are they thermoelctric or compressor?
Most of our truck drivers at work use and swear by them.As long as ignition off, fridge off.
you can det a 21 litre waico cheap enough and would probably fit.That 4-5 ampd an hour is pretty lean I think.But overnight would still kill a cranking battery.
John.
I

[geoffjy]

Ok, no problem. I think the best bet would be to build my own and put the compressor on the back. Dont have to worry about draining batteries so much then and its able to freeze. It will have to be a project on the end of the long list of things to do. Just need some free time.

This new job's a killer. They actually want me to work. :o

[campdog]

Ok, no problem. I think the best bet would be to build my own and put the compressor on the back. Dont have to worry about draining batteries so much then and its able to freeze. It will have to be a project on the end of the long list of things to do. Just need some free time.

This new job's a killer. They actually want me to work. :o
My son built one out of a little esky got a kit from Dick Smith,something to do with a fan and a heatsink.worked fine and very little current draw.
John

[geoffjy]

My son built one out of a little esky got a kit from Dick Smith,something to do with a fan and a heatsink.worked fine and very little current draw.
John

Is there a cooling plate (i think thats what it is) that has to go around the inside like other 12v fridges?

[campdog]

Is there a cooling plate (i think thats what it is) that has to go around the inside like other 12v fridges?
I think thats what the heatsink thing is.I dont think it cools the inside of the frigde but removes the heat.

[pmack2711]

There is one of those cooler fridges in the latest dick smiths catalouge for $22
with cup holders
http://catalogues.dse.com.au/imageicon/DSE/Prod/J00004551/C_001/DSE_Prod_J00004551_C_001_R01.pdf
The metal plate is called a Peltier device it cools when its wired one way and if you change the connections it heats up and if you put a voltmeter on the terminals when its not connected to anything it will produce a very small voltage that changes with temperature which is what those makes those engel and waeco temp guages work.

[loxsmith]

I have the older low lid version of this

New high dome, double door version of the MRFD-015. This unit is a totally portable yet very powerful 12 volt fridge / freezer for cars, trucks and boats. Very popular with drivers that are regularly moving from one vehicle to another and need to take their fridge with them, simply slide the carry strap over your shoulder and take your ENGEL with you. To secure this unit in your vehicle use the Transit Slide Lock and adapter plate part # TSL515 and TSLPLATE.
Three Year Warranty.
Replacement Cord: 12 Volt cord part # JCORD"
Category: Chest Fridge / Freezer
Model No: MD14E
Capacity: 14 Litre
External dimensions: H 398 W 442 D 284 (mm)
Net Weight: 11.50 Kg
DC Power Consumption: Variable from 0.5 to 3.9 AMPS Maximum
Power: 12 Volt DC only

Recommended Retail Price: $699.00

You can either use the seat belt on the passengers seat to hold it down if you are driving solo, or sit it on the floor, or in between the seats

Yes it's dear but you get what you pay for

Glen

[aquilla1]

I have the exact little 8L engel at home - came as a freeby with the 40L I bought. As others have said - it is either a cooler or a heater, but does a poor job at either - if you put cold stuff in it will stay relatively cold. I usually use it for the exact thing you are looking at - behind my seat to keep lunch and a couple of drinks in whilst moving. I don't think Engel actually make it, just a rebranded chinese thing, but worth the price I paid for it.

I had an older Dick Smith job previously, and it is better than that.

cheers
Peter

[wayno60]

i dont what their like but........

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DC-12V-60W-Mini-Portable-Refrigerator-Cooler-Heater-NEW_W0QQitemZ250424556741QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Gad gets?hash=item3a4e777cc5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1| 293%3A1|294%3A50

[wayno60]

or the whole range...

http://shop.ebay.com.au/items/?_nkw=+12v++fridge&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=small+12v++fridge&_osacat=0

[geoffjy]

i dont what their like but........

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DC-12V-60W-Mini-Portable-Refrigerator-Cooler-Heater-NEW_W0QQitemZ250424556741QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Gad gets?hash=item3a4e777cc5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1| 293%3A1|294%3A50


Just had a look at its one of those thermoelectric models.