Fridges

Hello lovely peeps. For those that have been on the rally b4, what sort of in vehicle fridge would you suggest? I dont think our budget can run to the new ARB 47litre fridge at over £600! Engel, Luna or a Halfords camping fridge? Am thinking that no one likes warm beer so assume that someone will have considered the best way to keep em cool. Also is it really essential to have a dual battery for additional appliances attached so as not to flatten the battery?

Also has anyone used solar power packs to charge phones and GPs etc? If so which and were they any good?

I have a new sponsor this year – MPS Trading Ltd. Amongst other things they have recently started hiring out Engel fridges, so for the span of Landy Rally a 32 litre version would cost you a total £41.30 for 11 days (allowing 1 day either side of the 9-day event) … for a fridge/freezer that retails at £600!!!

Their hire rates are:-

ENGEL MT17 15LTR 12/24/230v FRIDGE/FREEZER £23.50 per week + £2.50 per additional day
ENGEL MT35 32LTR 12/24/230v FRIDGE/FREEZER WITH DIGITAL DISPLAY £29.50 + £2.95
ENGEL MT45 40LTR 12/24/230v FRIDGE/FREEZER WITH DIGITAL DISPLAY £34.50 + £3.00
ENGEL MT60 60LTR 12/24/230v FRIDGE/FREEZER £46.00 + £4.00

Check ‘em out at www.mps-trading.co.uk and say Tom McGuigan of Landy Rally recommended you.

As for the rest of your post, I'll leave others far more technically-minded than me to answer these.

The Engel's are definately the way to go.

As for the question about needing a split charge system - No.... well probably not!!

If you use an Engel - No, you wont need one. You wont stop driving until mid-night and then you'll be running at 6am again An Engel wont flatten a decent battery in that time!

If your going to be running lights and things as well, then thats a different matter...

Even then Id say NO to a split charge system and simply run one of our battery guard's. That way, if your lights or indeed fridge flatten the battery too much the battery guard automatically cuts power to those circuits.

60A battery guards are £60 inc Vat
40A battery guards are £48 inc Vat

By comparison, a decent split chgarge system and cables is £250 inc VAT

See section "Do we need a fridge?" in the Landy Rally Frequently Asked Questions page http://www.landyrally.com/?t=faq

...or...

Coolboxes - Use a LOT of power. 4 to 8 amps, can flatten a 75Ah leisure battery in 8 to 12 hours. £6 to £120

12v/Mains/Gas fridges - one with a thermostat that works on the 12v heater is better than one that has a simple on/off switch. When running, can pull 8 Amps, though. £60 to £400

12v compressor based - By far the best, but very expensive.


If you get a fridge with 240v input, you can power it overnight at most campsites from the mains. If it's just for beers, then just run it when the engine's running on 12v and you should have cold beers when you get to the campsite in the evening without needing split charge, etc, but check that the cig lighter socket wiring can cope with all the load.

If you want to run a cheap (non-thermostatic) coolbox all the time, i'd recommend a second battery, or an expensive main battery that can cope with that kind of use.

A worthwhile solar battery charger system for camping, cycling or walking is the "Freeloader" - charges phones, gps, etc, but if you have a car with a huge power generating plant in the front, there's not much need - buy a selection of in-car chargers instead.


(I got a brand new Eskimo 42L gas/12/mains fridge for about £60 on ebay, but will actually be taking a couple of very compact, slightly modified, £6 12v/mains coolboxes instead (just for a few beers and baby food).)

Loads of info. Thanks for that.

I've already got a three way fridge, and was thinking of a split-charger in the vehicle.... But after reading a few comments (... plus cost c£250!), might run off the 12V engine battery during the day....

My question is:

Will all the campsites have mains power? (for running the fridge during the night)

If yes, can the same adapter be used (plug) to plug into the mains power as we have in the UK?

Richard.

Yes to mains power, but not having had to plug in before, I'm not entirely sure about adaptors. Sure others could help with this one.

Richard Potts wrote:

Will all the campsites have mains power? (for running the fridge during the night)

If yes, can the same adapter be used (plug) to plug into the mains power as we have in the UK?

16A commando (the blue round ones) are good for most campsites, some sites have only French/Schuko Hybrid (Euro CEE7/7) outlets. Adapter cables are about a fiver from camping stores, or cheaper online.

This is in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website, too (http://www.landyrally.com/?t=faq).

Oh, while we're on the subject of keeping beer cool...

An idea I'll be stealing for the landy - a funky factory fitted feature of my dads car: A control that directs cold air from the air conditioning onto the drink holder!

andybloke wrote:

Richard Potts wrote:

Will all the campsites have mains power? (for running the fridge during the night)

If yes, can the same adapter be used (plug) to plug into the mains power as we have in the UK?

16A commando (the blue round ones) are good for most campsites, some sites have only French/Schuko Hybrid (Euro CEE7/7) outlets. Adapter cables are about a fiver from camping stores, or cheaper online.

This is in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website, too (http://www.landyrally.com/?t=faq).

if anyone needs a French/Schuko Hybrid (Euro CEE7/7) lead you can probably get one free from asking about, most computer and electronic equipment will be shipped with a UK and european plug lead. I can bring some extras along if you let me know before.

Neil,

If you could get me an adapter that would be great (... bring along to Tong next weekend if you are going!). Thanks.

Richard....

Richard Potts wrote:

Neil,

If you could get me an adapter that would be great (... bring along to Tong next weekend if you are going!). Thanks.

Richard....

Its Paul,
yes, will dig one out for you.

Might not be at tong, will work something out though.

As it happens I have one of those blue jobbies somewhere; it goes to a female 3 pin UK socket if I recall?

Paul - I'd be daft if I didn't ask you to sort out a couple of those Euro whatsits for me as well, being as though folk are bound to want to borrow one from time to time.

Sort out any cash you require as and when. Same goes for transfer as I won't need them until September anyway. Ta.

Tom Mc wrote:

I'd be daft if I didn't ask if you could sort out a couple for me, being as though folk are bound to want to borrow one from time to time.

Sort out any cash you require as and when. Same goes for transfer as I won't need them until September anyway. Ta.

I actually thought about having a spare or 2 on the rally for people to borrow.

No cash required.... we usually throw them out, although "Team Intelmental" never refuse gratitude paid in the form of beer!