Chilling Out
4x4 Magazine Australia|March 2020
THE PORTABLE FRIDGE HAS REPLACED THE ESKY AS THE GO-TO BEER-CHILLING TOOL FOR AUSSIES. WE HAVE A CHAT TO THE FRIDGE EXPERTS IN THE INDUSTRY.
TRISTAN TANCREDI
Chilling Out

THE Esky may still have a home at many Australian campsites, its simplicity outgunning the need for power points and solar panels, but with the proliferation of power-management and dual-battery systems minimising the frequency of flat batteries, there is now a wide choice when it comes to high-tech portable refrigeration. The fridge plays a crucial role on any trip, be it weekend escape or 12-month pilgrimage from Cape Byron to Steep Point, as it keeps food fresh and beers cold.

Swing into any campsite these days and you’ll note the fridge is but one of many technologies in use; without doubt camps will be illuminated by the latest LED lights and you’ll spot kids neglecting nature for their tablets and mobile phones … parents too.

With this ever-growing reliance on technology when off the grid, it’s obvious that your 4x4 needs to be set-up to cope with charging said devices, while not draining the starting battery.

The thing with a 12-volt fridge is, it needs to be constantly on so that food stays crisp and liquid gold stays ice-cold. We chat to the folks who know this better than most, from Ironman 4x4, Evakool, myCOOLMAN and ARB. Let’s get stuck in.

TYPES OF FRIDGES

PEOPLE need to understand there are different types of fridges; you have thermoelectric, three-way and compressor fridges. Each work differently, and some are more efficient than others,” explains Ironman 4x4’s director of 4x4 products, Adam Craze.

You can’t buy a thermoelectric cooler and expect the same cooling functions as a three-way or compressor style. A thermoelectric ‘cooler’ can’t reach the same high and low temperatures of a three-way or compressor fridge, recording a much more limited temperature range. And, unlike the other two options, a thermoelectric cooler doesn’t cycle on and off. Generally, they’re a cheaper option.

This story is from the March 2020 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March 2020 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM 4X4 MAGAZINE AUSTRALIAView All
TRAVEL BULLETIN
4x4 Magazine Australia

TRAVEL BULLETIN

ALL THE LATEST 4X4 NEWS AND EVENTS. Now is the time to get out and about to enjoy this great land and support the communities. Experienced adventurer Ron Moon has listed a few upcoming highlights, as well as essential track info. As always, check with event organisers before locking in your plans.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
MICK GRAHAM
4x4 Magazine Australia

MICK GRAHAM

OLD MORISSET MENTAL HOME, NSW CENTRAL COAST

time-read
1 min  |
March 2024
REAR VIEW
4x4 Magazine Australia

REAR VIEW

4X4 AUSTRALIA LOOKS BACK AT THE CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRY, THE RISE IN . OUTBACK TOURING, THE EVOLUTIONARY SOPHISTICATION OF 4X4S, AND MORE

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2024
READERS RIGS
4x4 Magazine Australia

READERS RIGS

WANT TO SEE YOUR 4x4 PUBLISHED IN THE MAG? SEND US A PIC VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
FIRST-CLASS TRAVEL
4x4 Magazine Australia

FIRST-CLASS TRAVEL

A HOLIDAY TRIP WITH THE FORD RANGER PLATINUM RAISED A FEW EYEBROWS WHEN COMPARING IT TO OUR RANGER SPORT

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
ENGINE CHECK
4x4 Magazine Australia

ENGINE CHECK

THE ULTRAGAUGE PROVIDES YOUR VEHICLE'S VITAL STATS AND WARNINGS IN A TAILORABLE PACKAGE

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
RAZR RUBBER
4x4 Magazine Australia

RAZR RUBBER

AFTER A 50,000KM TRIP THROUGH WESTERN AUSTRALIA, THESE MAXXIS RAZR ATS HAVE PROVIDED RELIABLE PERFORMANCE ON AND OFF THE ROAD

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
PORTABLE POWER
4x4 Magazine Australia

PORTABLE POWER

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT TO FIT A DEDICATED DUAL-BATTERY SYSTEM TO THEIR VEHICLE, THE PORTABLE BLUETTI AC200L POWER STATION COULD BE JUST THE TICKET

time-read
3 mins  |
March 2024
A BETTER BRAKE
4x4 Magazine Australia

A BETTER BRAKE

EVERYONE KNOWS HOW DODGY LANDCRUISER HANDBRAKES CAN BE. TERRAIN TAMER HAS THE FIX …

time-read
2 mins  |
March 2024
GOING FOR GOLD
4x4 Magazine Australia

GOING FOR GOLD

THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVING MIGHT NOT MATCH THE NEARBY HIGH COUNTRY, BUT THANKS TO ITS GOLD MINING HISTORY THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE AND DO AROUND THE WIDER CASTLEMAINE AREA AND YOU MAY EVEN STRIKE IT RICH!

time-read
10 mins  |
March 2024