At 60 watts at 12volts thats 5 amps which is quite a bit.

The Engel draws .9 to 3.1 amps and also pulls down to zero degees for making
ice.

I agree with Stan the "top loaders" are a better design where ever btu of
cold is counted.

The Engels are sold as the standard all over the world for expeditions.
If you find a Land Rover in Africa someplace it likely has an Engel in it.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Elliott" <j.michael.elliott@ADELPHIA.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 5:33 PM
Subject: Re: DC Refrigerator Alternatives

> Vince S wrote:
>
> >A new subject to better reflect the content.
> >
> >Here is a self-contain complete system built with Danfoss BD35F if you
> >provide your own fridge box such as modifying the existing Dometic
> >cavity and put this unit in the small cupboard adjacent to it.
> >
> >http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=30527
> >
> >
> Hmmm. I'm trying to wrap my head around this one. My Westy is on some
> truck miles from here right now, so I can't take a measuring tape to it
> -- how thick is the insulation on the stock reefer?
>
> Power consumption for this unit is expressed as average run time X power
> input. Power input is said to be 45 to 60 watts (why the range?).
> Average run time for 2'' polyurethane insulation is 40% .  This affords
> an internal temp of 41F with outside temp of 80F. Worst case with these
> numbers would be 60W X 40% =24W =2 ampere/hr @ 12 volts.
>
> Did I do that right?
>
> Given the largest battery that can fit under the driver's seat -- how
> quickly would it become discharged at 2Ahr?
>
> And this Danfoss BD35F-based Waeco Coolmatic Cooling Kit . . . the
> "larger picture" is the same low-rez picture on the linked page (above),
> just scaled larger so there isn't really more information. It is larger,
> though, so they ain't lying. What I can't quite figure out is where the
> hot air is meant to be dumped. If you mount the compressor in the small
> cupboard adjacent to the fridge box, I reckon the heat would have to be
> vented outside somehow?
> --
>
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 71 VW Type 2 / 84 Westy: A poor but proud race.
> KG6RCR